Free Greek resignation letter template and guide to voluntary resignation
Download a ready-to-use resignation letter template for employees leaving a job in Greece.
A resignation letter should clearly state that you are voluntarily ending your employment, identify your position, specify the proposed final working date where appropriate, and provide enough information for the employer to process your departure correctly.
⬇ Download Greece Resignation Letter (Word)A resignation is the voluntary termination of an employment relationship by the employee.
In Greek employment terminology this is commonly referred to as οικειοθελής αποχώρηση (voluntary departure) or παραίτηση (resignation).
For an indefinite-term employment contract, Greek Labour Ministry guidance confirms that the contract may be terminated by either the employer or the employee.
The employee's resignation should be documented clearly so that the date of departure and the employee's intention to leave are not disputed.
Include the date on which the resignation is submitted.
State clearly that you are voluntarily resigning from your position. Avoid wording that could make it unclear whether you are actually resigning or merely considering resignation.
If you are giving notice, state the proposed final working date based on the applicable notice period.
You can state that you are willing to assist with the orderly handover of your duties and company property.
Ask the employer to confirm receipt of your resignation and the recorded date of termination.
Subject: Resignation – [Full Name]
Dear [Employer / Manager Name],
I hereby inform you of my decision to resign from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name].
My intended last working day is [Date], in accordance with the applicable notice period and the terms of my employment.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to work at [Company Name]. I will do my best to ensure an orderly handover of my responsibilities before my departure.
Please confirm receipt of this resignation and the effective termination date of my employment.
Kind regards,
[Full Name]
[Date]
This example is for general guidance. The exact wording should be adapted to the employee's contract and circumstances.
Notice periods in Greece should not be copied from Swiss or other European employment systems. Greek law has its own rules.
For an indefinite-term employment relationship, Greek Labour Inspectorate guidance states that an employee who resigns is subject to a notice obligation generally equal to one-half of the statutory notice period applicable to the employer.
The employee's notice period cannot exceed three months.
| Length of Service | Employer Statutory Notice | Employee's General Statutory Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 months | Special rules can apply. Check the employment contract and applicable legislation. | Do not assume a fixed notice period without checking the applicable employment terms. |
| 12 months to 2 years | 1 month | Generally 15 days |
| 2 years to 5 years | 2 months | Generally 1 month |
| 5 years to 10 years | 3 months | Generally 1.5 months |
| 10 years or more | 4 months | Generally 2 months |
The employee notice periods above reflect the general half-of-employer notice rule for indefinite-term employment and should not be treated as a substitute for checking the employee's contract, collective agreement and applicable legislation.
When calculating your last working day, start with the date on which the resignation is validly communicated and apply the applicable notice period.
For example, if an employee with between two and five years of service is subject to the general one-month employee notice period, the employee should normally allow one month between the effective notice and departure, unless another lawful arrangement applies.
Resignation submitted on 10 October.
Applicable employee notice: 1 month.
The expected final employment date would generally be around 10 November, subject to the exact contractual and legal rules applicable to the employee.
An employee and employer can agree on an earlier departure.
If you want to leave before the applicable notice period expires, it is advisable to obtain the employer's agreement in writing and clearly record the mutually agreed final employment date.
Do not simply stop attending work without documenting the arrangement. An employee who leaves without complying with applicable obligations can create legal and financial issues.
Special circumstances can also affect termination rights, so legal advice may be appropriate where there is a dispute or urgent departure.
The safest approach is to submit the resignation in a form that provides clear evidence of the employee's intention and the date on which it was communicated.
An employee can use electronic communication where appropriate, but should make sure there is reliable evidence that the employer received the resignation.
For practical purposes, an employee may provide a signed resignation document and retain proof of delivery or receipt.
If the resignation is sent by email, keep the original email, attachments, delivery information and any employer response.
ERGANI is the Greek Ministry of Labour's information system used for important employment-related declarations.
When an employee voluntarily leaves an indefinite-term employment relationship, the employer is responsible for reporting the voluntary departure electronically through the ERGANI system.
The relevant declaration is commonly associated with the E5 form.
The E5 is the ERGANI declaration associated with the voluntary departure of an employee.
Greek employment guidance provides that the employer must submit the voluntary departure declaration electronically and accompany it with the required documentation.
The employee's signature is important in documenting the voluntary nature of the departure. Where the employee does not sign, special procedures apply to the employer.
Employees should therefore ask the employer or payroll department to confirm that the voluntary departure has been properly recorded.
Greek Labour Inspectorate and DYPA guidance places importance on documenting the employee's voluntary departure.
The employer's ERGANI submission can be accompanied by a scanned document signed by both the employee and employer or by the alternative documentation permitted by the applicable rules.
If the employee refuses to sign the voluntary-departure document, the employer has a specific procedure involving formal notification and must comply with the applicable deadline.
This is one reason why employees should keep a copy of their resignation letter and proof of submission.
When employment ends, the employee should receive the remuneration and other amounts legally due up to the end of employment.
Depending on the circumstances, final settlement can include:
The exact final settlement depends on the employee's circumstances, salary structure, unused leave and other applicable rules.
Employees accrue statutory annual leave according to Greek employment law.
When employment ends, unused annual leave and the corresponding amounts due should be taken into account in the final settlement according to the applicable rules.
Employees should therefore check their remaining leave balance before agreeing on their final employment date.
| Resignation | Dismissal |
|---|---|
| The employee decides to leave voluntarily. | The employer terminates the employment relationship. |
| Commonly called οικειοθελής αποχώρηση or παραίτηση. | Commonly referred to as απόλυση. |
| The employer reports the voluntary departure through the applicable ERGANI procedure. | The employer must follow the applicable termination requirements and procedures. |
| The employee generally does not receive dismissal severance merely because they resign voluntarily. | Severance rules can apply depending on the type and circumstances of the termination. |
Employees should be careful when resigning because voluntary departure can have different consequences for unemployment benefits than an employer-initiated dismissal.
Eligibility for unemployment benefits depends on the applicable DYPA rules and the circumstances of the termination.
If receiving unemployment support is important to you, check the current DYPA requirements before submitting a resignation.
After leaving employment, it is useful to request documentation confirming your employment and position.
Depending on the employer and circumstances, this can be useful when applying for a new position, proving previous employment or completing administrative procedures.
Unlike Switzerland, where the concept of an Arbeitszeugnis is particularly prominent, Greek employment documentation should be described using the terminology and documents applicable under Greek law.
Yes. An employee can voluntarily terminate an indefinite-term employment relationship. Greek Labour Ministry guidance expressly recognizes resignation or voluntary departure by the employee.
Common terms include παραίτηση and οικειοθελής αποχώρηση.
For an indefinite-term employment relationship, the employee's statutory notice obligation is generally one-half of the notice period applicable to the employer, subject to a maximum of three months. The exact situation should be checked against the employment contract and applicable collective or statutory rules.
No. Greek Labour Inspectorate guidance states that an employee's notice obligation is generally half of the statutory employer notice period, with a maximum of three months.
Do not automatically apply the Swiss end-of-month rule to Greece. The applicable termination date depends on the relevant notice rules, employment contract and circumstances.
Immediate departure may be possible in certain circumstances or by agreement with the employer. If you want to leave before an applicable notice period expires, obtain the agreement in writing whenever possible.
Yes. The employer is responsible for electronically reporting a voluntary employee departure through ERGANI within four working days from the employee's departure, following the applicable documentation requirements.
E5 is the ERGANI declaration associated with an employee's voluntary departure from employment.
The voluntary-departure procedure requires documentation of the employee's voluntary resignation. The normal procedure includes a document signed by the employee and employer, while specific alternative procedures apply when the employee does not sign.
If you submit a resignation electronically, retain the email and evidence of delivery or receipt. For maximum certainty, a signed resignation document with clear proof of delivery is advisable.
Voluntary resignation is different from employer dismissal. Employees should not assume that dismissal severance is payable when they voluntarily resign. The final settlement can nevertheless include salary, unused leave and other amounts that are legally due.
Any unused statutory annual leave and corresponding amounts due should be considered in the final settlement according to Greek employment law.
Usually, a resignation letter can simply state that you are voluntarily resigning and provide the relevant final date. You do not generally need to include a long explanation unless there is a particular legal or contractual reason to do so.
Yes. It is good practice to request written confirmation of receipt and the final employment date.
A voluntary resignation is an employee's termination of the indefinite-term employment relationship. However, disputes can arise concerning notice, the effective date or whether the employee actually resigned. Keep clear written evidence of your resignation.
The employer has a legal obligation to report the voluntary departure within the applicable deadline. If the employer fails to follow the required procedure, the employee should keep evidence of the resignation and may seek assistance from the Labour Inspectorate or another qualified employment professional.
This Greece resignation letter template is provided for general informational and educational purposes. It is not an official Greek government form and does not constitute legal advice.
Notice periods and termination procedures can depend on the type of employment relationship, length of service, employment contract, collective agreement and other applicable Greek legislation.
The information on this page should therefore be checked against the current Greek rules before being used for an actual resignation. For disputes, unusual termination arrangements or significant employment matters, consider obtaining advice from a qualified Greek employment lawyer or professional.