Create a Professional Employment Certificate for Jobs in Greece
Download a ready-to-use Greece work certificate and employment reference template. The template can be adapted by an employer to confirm an employee's position, employment period, duties and professional experience.
⬇ Download Greece Work Certificate Template (Word)In Greece, employees can request a certificate from their employer concerning the type and duration of their employment. This document is commonly referred to as a Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας or Πιστοποιητικό Υπηρεσίας.
It can be useful when applying for a new job, proving professional experience, documenting previous employment or demonstrating experience for a position where previous service is relevant.
Greek employment practice is different from the Swiss Arbeitszeugnis system. A Greek employment certificate should therefore not automatically be written as a Swiss-style performance reference.
The following English-language example can be adapted by a Greek employer for an employee or former employee.
CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT / WORK EXPERIENCE Employer: [Company Name] [Company Address] [Telephone] [Email] Employee: [Full Name] Position / Specialty: [Job Title] Employment Period: [Start Date] to [End Date] To Whom It May Concern, This is to certify that [Full Name] was employed by [Company Name] from [Start Date] until [End Date]. During this period, the employee worked as [Job Title / Specialty]. The main duties and responsibilities included: - [Responsibility 1] - [Responsibility 2] - [Responsibility 3] - [Responsibility 4] The employee worked on a [full-time / part-time] basis. This certificate is issued at the employee's request for the purpose of confirming their employment and professional experience. [Optional performance statement, if specifically requested] During the above period, [Full Name] performed their duties [professionally / satisfactorily / very well]. We wish [Full Name] every success in their future career. [City], [Date] [Company Name] ____________________________ Authorized Representative Name: Position: Company Stamp, if applicable
A practical employment certificate should contain enough information to establish who the employee was, where they worked, what their position was and how long they were employed.
For specific regulated professions, additional information may be required. Greek administrative procedures sometimes require certificates showing the exact employment period, specialty and professional level.
Yes. Greek employment guidance recognizes an employee's right to request a certificate concerning the type and duration of their employment when the employment relationship ends, whether through resignation or dismissal.
The employee's entitlement to a service certificate is not dependent on having worked for only a particular minimum period. The relevant guidance also states that the request may be made after the employment relationship has ended.
If an employer refuses to provide the certificate or includes inaccurate or unauthorized characterizations, the employee may have legal remedies available.
| Document | Main Purpose | Typical Information |
|---|---|---|
| Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας | Confirm previous work experience | Employer, employee, position, employment period and type of work |
| Πιστοποιητικό Υπηρεσίας | Confirm employment/service | Employment period, specialty and employment information |
| Employment Reference | Support a job application | May contain duties, performance and professional qualities |
| Recommendation Letter | Recommend a candidate to another employer | Usually more personal and focused on skills and suitability |
| e-EFKA Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας | Document insured employment history | Insurance periods, employer information and employment-related records |
Greece also has an official electronic service through e-EFKA called Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας Μισθωτών.
This is different from a personalized reference letter written by an employer. The e-EFKA certificate is based on employment and insurance information recorded in the social-insurance system.
According to e-EFKA, the service can include information such as:
This can be especially useful when an employee needs official evidence of employment history rather than a recommendation from a former manager.
Eligible insured persons can use the e-EFKA electronic service for Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας.
The official digital service is particularly useful when you need documented employment history for administrative or professional purposes.
A work certificate is not the only possible evidence of previous employment in Greece.
The Greek Labour Inspectorate explains that previous employment can be demonstrated through appropriate certificates issued by employers and also through other evidence such as insurance records, payroll records and similar documents.
Some professions have additional requirements for proving professional experience.
For example, Greek administrative procedures for certain technical professions may require an employer-issued certificate stating the employee's name, specialty and exact period of employment. Additional documentation such as insurance evidence, employment records or professional-body confirmation may also be required depending on the profession.
Therefore, do not assume that a general work certificate is enough for every professional licensing or qualification procedure.
Foreign employees working in Greece may need employment certificates when applying for another job, demonstrating professional experience or preparing documents for administrative procedures.
An employer certificate can be prepared in Greek or, where appropriate, in another language requested by the employer or authority receiving it.
If the document will be submitted to a foreign authority, university, employer or immigration authority, check whether an official translation, certification or legalization is required before submitting it.
Employers can adapt the following Greek-language example:
ΒΕΒΑΙΩΣΗ ΠΡΟΫΠΗΡΕΣΙΑΣ / ΠΙΣΤΟΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΟ ΥΠΗΡΕΣΙΑΣ Η εταιρεία [Επωνυμία Εταιρείας], με έδρα [Διεύθυνση Εταιρείας], βεβαιώνει ότι ο/η [Ονοματεπώνυμο Εργαζομένου] εργάστηκε στην εταιρεία από [Ημερομηνία Έναρξης] έως [Ημερομηνία Λήξης]. Κατά το ανωτέρω χρονικό διάστημα απασχολήθηκε ως [Θέση / Ειδικότητα]. Τα κύρια καθήκοντα και οι αρμοδιότητές του/της περιλάμβαναν: - [Καθήκον 1] - [Καθήκον 2] - [Καθήκον 3] - [Καθήκον 4] Η παρούσα βεβαίωση χορηγείται κατόπιν αιτήματος του/της εργαζομένου/ης για την επιβεβαίωση της προϋπηρεσίας και της επαγγελματικής του/της εμπειρίας. [Προαιρετική αναφορά στην ποιότητα εργασίας, εφόσον έχει ζητηθεί από τον/την εργαζόμενο/η] Τόπος: [Πόλη] Ημερομηνία: [Ημερομηνία] Για την εταιρεία [Επωνυμία Εταιρείας] ____________________________ Ονοματεπώνυμο Θέση Υπογραφή Σφραγίδα εταιρείας, εφόσον χρησιμοποιείται
Yes. Greek employment guidance distinguishes between a basic certificate confirming the type and duration of employment and additional statements concerning the quality of the employee's work or conduct.
According to KEPEA/GSEE guidance, the employer may include comments about the quality of work and conduct when the employee specifically requests them.
If you want a stronger document for a job application, you can therefore ask the employer for a certificate that also describes your responsibilities, professional performance and relevant skills.
A professional employment certificate should be accurate and should not contain unnecessary personal information.
If you believe a certificate contains inaccurate information, ask the employer to correct it. Serious disputes may require professional legal advice.
When leaving a job in Greece, it is useful to maintain a personal employment file containing important documents.
Keeping these documents can make future job applications and professional-experience verification easier.
Common terms include Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας, Πιστοποιητικό Υπηρεσίας and Βεβαίωση Υπηρεσίας.
Yes. Greek employment guidance states that employees can request a certificate concerning the type and duration of their employment after the employment relationship has ended.
No. A basic certificate can confirm the type and duration of employment. Statements about the quality of work or conduct are treated separately and can be included when specifically requested by the employee.
No. The concepts are not identical. A Greek Βεβαίωση Προϋπηρεσίας primarily documents employment experience, while the Swiss Arbeitszeugnis traditionally contains detailed information about duties, performance and conduct.
Yes. A work certificate can help demonstrate previous employment, job title, professional experience and the period during which you worked for an employer.
It is an official electronic certificate of employment and insurance history available through e-EFKA services for eligible insured persons. It is different from a personalized recommendation or performance reference written by an employer.
The e-EFKA service describes the certificate as containing employment and insurance information, including employer information and the employee's declared specialty where available in the relevant records.
Previous employment abroad can be relevant when proving professional experience. The documentation required depends on the purpose for which the experience must be established.
Not necessarily. Some employers may ask for references or proof of previous employment, while others may rely primarily on your CV, interview and other documentation.
If an employer refuses to issue the required certificate or includes inaccurate or unauthorized information, the employee may have legal remedies. For an individual dispute, professional legal advice is recommended.
You can discuss the certificate with your employer before leaving, but Greek employment guidance recognizes the employee's ability to request a certificate concerning their employment after the employment relationship has ended as well.
For current information about work experience certificates, employment history and the evidence used to prove previous employment, consult the following sources:
This page is provided for general information and educational purposes. It is not legal advice and does not replace Greek employment legislation, an employment contract, a collective agreement, official administrative guidance or advice from a qualified professional.
The exact document required to prove employment experience can depend on the purpose for which it is being submitted. Regulated professions, public-sector procedures, professional licensing and applications involving foreign authorities may have additional requirements.
Always check the current requirements of the employer, competent Greek authority or professional body before relying on a work certificate for an important application.