Greece: Pay and benefits

Original and updating author: Christos A Ioannou

Summary

• Pay rates are set in the individual contract of employment and cannot be set lower than the national minimum and, where applicable, sectoral, occupational or company minimum. (See Pay and the employment contract)
• Employees are entitled to 14 months' pay a year, and must be given a written statement of gross wages containing certain information. (See Payment of wages)
• Save for certain exceptions, employers may not make deductions from employees' pay. (See Deductions)
• Male and female employees must receive equal pay for "work of equal value". (See Equal pay)
• Greece has statutory national minimum pay rates that apply to all employees, including those in temporary or casual work. (See National minimum wage)
• State pension contributions are made through employers' and employees' social security contributions. (See Pensions)
• Employers are obliged to make social security contributions and to deduct employees' contributions. (See Income tax and social security)
• There are various rules regarding pay for employees who are absent from work due to sickness. (See Sick pay)
• Employers may provide employees with benefits in kind but these are usually voluntary. (See Benefits in kind)