Seasonal work in Greece: island hospitality, harvests and paperwork for 2027

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Where are the seasonal jobs in Greece?

Tourism generates most contracts. The Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos), the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), Crete, the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia) and Halkidiki recruit several hundred thousand seasonal staff for hotels, beach bars, restaurants and tour operators.

A calendar driven by tourism

Hotels typically open between late March and May and close between late October and early November. Large hotel groups start hiring in January, and recruitment continues until June to replace early leavers and to cover the July and August peak.

Which roles are most in demand?

Waiters, bartenders, cooks, kitchen assistants, dishwashers, housekeepers, receptionists, entertainers, lifeguards and drivers make up the bulk of demand. Guest-facing jobs require English, while German, French or Italian give a real advantage on islands popular with those markets.

Previous experience counts more than diplomas in Greek hospitality. A first season is easier to secure in housekeeping, dishwashing or kitchen support, while bar, reception and head waiter roles usually go to candidates who can show at least one comparable summer.

Farm harvests: the other season

Agriculture also hires: strawberries in Ilia around Manolada from February to June, peaches and nectarines in Imathia and Pella from June to September, grapes in August and September, kiwis in Pieria in autumn, oranges in Argolida in winter, olives from November to February.

Farm work is more physical and less regulated than hospitality: early starts, daily or piece-rate pay and sometimes basic housing. Check the accommodation offered and make sure the job will actually be declared before accepting any harvest offer.

Who can work seasonally in Greece?

Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland enjoy free movement and need no visa or permit. For stays beyond three months, a registration certificate is issued by the local police station on presentation of an employment contract.

Two numbers you cannot skip: AFM and AMKA

Every employee needs an AFM tax number from the AADE tax authority and an AMKA social security number from KEP citizen service centres or EFKA. The employer must then declare the hiring in the ERGANI system before the first working day.

Non-EU nationals: the metaklisi procedure

Non-EU workers are hired through metaklisi (μετάκληση), a named invitation filed by the employer with the Decentralised Administration. The Migration Code, Law 5038/2023, governs the process, and annual quotas are set by ministerial decision according to regional labour needs.

National visa and E-6 permit

Once approved, the worker applies at a Greek consulate for a type D national visa for seasonal work, normally capped at six months. In agriculture, the worker then requests the E-6 residence permit, costing €75 plus €16 for the electronic card.

Bilateral schemes and lead times

Greece has also signed bilateral farm labour agreements, notably with Egypt. Whatever the route, allow three to five months between the employer's application and arrival, so non-EU recruitment for a summer season should start in the previous autumn.

Pay and working conditions

Since 1 April 2026 the statutory minimum wage is €920 gross per month, up from €880, and €41.09 per day for an unskilled worker. Hotel sector collective agreements often set higher scales depending on the role and seniority.

Pay must be transferred to a bank account, and each payslip should show gross salary, EFKA contributions and any deduction for housing. Tips are common in island bars and restaurants but are not part of the contractual wage and vary widely.

Hours, overtime and bonuses

The legal working week is 40 hours. Up to 45 hours over five days, or 48 hours over six days, overtime is paid at plus 20 percent, and beyond that at plus 40 percent. Christmas, Easter and holiday bonuses are due pro rata.

Housing, meals and social protection

On the islands, hotels frequently house and feed their staff, because summer rents on Mykonos or Santorini are prohibitive. Seasonal workers are insured with EFKA, have a right to be rehired the following season and may claim the DYPA seasonal allowance.

Living costs are high in summer: restaurants, local transport and inter-island ferries cost far more than on the mainland. Free accommodation and meals therefore weigh heavily when comparing two job offers that look similar on salary alone.

How to land a seasonal contract in Greece

1. Choose a region and a role that match your languages and experience.
2. Prepare a Europass CV in English with a photo and references from past employers.
3. Browse Greek vacancies on EURES and register for the Filoxenia online job days.
4. Apply directly to hotel groups and resorts from January onwards.
5. Ask for a written offer stating gross pay, hours, housing, meals and dates.
6. Obtain AFM and AMKA, or start the visa procedure if you are a non-EU national.
7. Check your ERGANI declaration and keep payslips and bank statements.

Costs, documents and pay at a glance

Common mistakes and scams

Misleading offers multiply every spring, especially on social media. The warning signs below, highlighted by the European Rights4AllSeasons campaign, help weed out most dubious proposals before you book a flight or a ferry ticket to the islands.

• Paying placement fees: licensed agencies in Greece cannot charge jobseekers anything.
• Accepting a job without a written contract or an ERGANI declaration.
• Confusing net and gross pay, or ignoring deductions for staff housing.
• Travelling on a tourist visa to work: this is illegal and penalised.
• Replying to a personal email address with no verifiable company or website.
• Forgetting the European Health Insurance Card for the first weeks.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal work in Greece

The answers below cover the points most often raised by international candidates, whether they are aiming for a first summer on the islands or a harvest season in the Peloponnese or in Macedonia.

Do I need to speak Greek to work in a hotel?

No, not in most international island hotels: English is enough for service, the bar or reception. Greek becomes useful in kitchens, family-run tavernas and agriculture, where instructions are rarely given in any other language.

When should I apply for the summer season?

The best positions go between January and March, when hotel chains build their teams. Vacancies remain open in April and May, and replacement jobs appear in June and July, often with a start date only days away.

Can seasonal workers claim benefits in winter?

Yes, subject to enough insured days with EFKA: DYPA pays benefits during the off-season and a seasonal allowance in autumn for certain tourism occupations. EU citizens can also transfer entitlements using the U1 and U2 forms.

How long does a seasonal contract last?

Fixed-term contracts usually cover four to seven months, depending on when the establishment opens. For non-EU workers, duration is capped by the seasonal visa, normally six months, and the employer must respect the authorised end date.