Payroll in Greece
What tax considerations are there?
Personal Income Tax (PIT)
In Greece, anyone earning an income from the country is subject to tax – regardless of their residential status. Permanent residents are also taxed on any income derived from outside Greece. Tax is worked out a progressive rate, starting at 22% for those earning up to €20,000, and up to 45% for those earning anything over €40,000. There is also additional tax on earnings from capital such as dividends, royalties, interest, and real estate. Individuals must file their tax returns annually. The deadline is June 30th on the following year.
As well as income tax, individuals in Greece must also pay into a national social security fund of around 16% of their income.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Resident Greek companies are taxed in all income both from residential and international sources. Non-resident companies are taxed on any income obtained from within Greece. Corporate Income Tax rates are gradually being lowered in Greece, following a phased-in schedule:
- 2019 Tax Year – 28%
- 2020 Tax Year – 27%
- 2021 Tax Year – 26%
- 2022 Tax Year an onwards – 25%
This applies to businesses apart from credit institutions, which will remain subjected to a tax rate of 29%. There is also separate tax legislation that applies to shipping companies.
HR in Greece
What are the regular working hours in Greece?
Most workplaces in Greece operate during similar working hours to the US – that is, 8 hours per day starting between 8am and 9am. Banks and shops have unique working hours however; banks are open Monday to Friday only, from around 8am to 2pm, and most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9am until around 2.30pm. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays shops are also open between 5pm and 9pm.
Vacation, maternity and sickness
There are 11 bank holidays in Greece, plus two additional which are recognised only by schools and universities. Some Greek municipalities also celebrate a saint’s day during which businesses close. In addition to these, full-time employees working a five day week in Greece are entitled to 20 days of annual leave, which is accrued over a 12 month period. This will increase at the rate of one day per year, up to 26 days.
Women are entitled to 17 weeks of maternity leave in Greece. Up to eight weeks can be taken before the baby’s due date, and any leave not used before the birth can be taken afterwards. After returning to work, new mothers are allowed to reduce their working day by up to two hours per day for 18 months, or one hour per day for 2½ years – with no impact on their salary.
For the first three days of sickness, an employer must pay an employee at least 50% of their regular pay. For anything over three days, sick pay will be paid by IKA, the Greek Social Security System.
Termination
In the instance of termination of a contract where an employee has given less than one year of service, no notice period is required of either party. After this, both parties must give between one and four months notice depending on the employee’s length of service. In the event of the employer terminating the contract, severance must be paid if they have worked for more than one year.
