How long is annual leave in Greece?

In Greece, annual leave entitlement varies based on the work schedule:

• Employees working a five-day workweek are entitled to a maximum of 26 days of annual leave.
• Employees working a six-day workweek, such as those in shops, are entitled to a maximum of 31 days.

During their annual leave, employees receive their full salary and a vacation allowance equivalent to the salary for the vacation period. This allowance is capped at 15 days for monthly-salaried employees and 13 days for daily-wage employees. Both the salary and the allowance are prepaid when leave is granted.

Following recent amendments, employees may submit a written request and, with employer approval, take part of their leave to suit personal needs. At least one part of the leave must include a minimum of 5 working days for a five-day week or 6 working days for a six-day week. Employers must record the granting of leave in the new online system, ERGANI II, within the calendar month after the leave was granted.

How is annual leave accrued in Greece?

In Greece, annual leave accrues as follows:

• A supported employee is entitled to 20 working days of annual leave for a 5-day working week and 24 working days for a 6-day working week, based on 12 months of continuous employment.
• After the first calendar year of employment, the employer must grant annual paid leave gradually, in proportion to the employee’s tenure with the company. During the second calendar year, employees accrue regular annual paid leave based on their length of service.
• Annual leave increases by 1 working day for each year of service beyond the first year, up to 22 working days for a 5-day working week or 26 working days for a 6-day working week.
• From the third calendar year and onwards, employees are entitled to their full annual leave at any point during the year.
• Employees with 10 years of service with the same employer or 12 years of total employment are entitled to 25 working days of leave for a 5-day working week or 30 working days for a 6-day working week.
• After completing 25 years of service or equivalent, employees are granted an additional day of leave, totaling 26 working days for a 5-day working week or 31 working days for a 6-day working week.

What is the carry-over policy for annual leave in Greece?

In Greece, annual leave must be taken by March 31 of the year following the year in which it was accrued. Generally, leave cannot be carried over beyond this date. If an employer prevents an employee from taking their leave within this period, the employer must compensate the employee with double the normal remuneration for the unused leave days. However, if the employee opts not to take their leave, no payment is required.

How is paid time off (PTO) calculated in Greece?

During annual vacation leave in Greece, the supported employee receives their full salary. Additionally, the employee is entitled to a vacation allowance, which is calculated as follows:

• The vacation allowance is equal to the salary received during the vacation leave.
• The maximum salary for this allowance is up to 15 days for employees receiving a monthly salary and up to 13 days for employees receiving a daily wage.
• Both the allowance and the salary for the days of leave are pre-paid upon the granting of the annual leave.

What is the process to request annual leave in Greece?

To request annual leave in Greece, the following process should be followed:

• The supported employee must communicate with the employer to request the annual leave. This communication should balance the needs of both the employee and the business.
• It is required that at least 50% of the personnel take their annual leave between May 1 and September 30 each year.
• According to a recent amendment in labor legislation, the supported employee must receive their annual leave by the end of the first quarter of the subsequent calendar year, specifically by March 31 of the next year.
• If the employer does not grant the requested annual leave, the employer is obligated to pay the salary corresponding to those days of leave, increased by 100%, in addition to the vacation allowance.

Is time off usage required in set increments in Greece?

No, time off usage in Greece is not required in set increments.

Is unlimited PTO an option in Greece, and how can it be accommodated?

Greek labor laws establish a regulated framework for various types of leave, including both paid leave, such as annual vacation, sickness, and parental leave, and unpaid leave. Employers are obliged to comply with these mandatory legal provisions.

While it is not prohibited for an employer to provide additional paid leave beyond the legal minimum, doing so voluntarily could create a business practice. This might mean that the employer cannot unilaterally amend or revoke it in the future, as labor law in Greece operates on the principle that any arrangement more favorable to the employee is applicable. Therefore, employers should be aware of these potential implications when considering offering an unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

Is it necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Greece?

No, it is not necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Greece.