Work Opportunities In Greece For Non-Skilled Workers
Do you want to work in Europe, but are afraid because you do not have a university degree or even a special experience? 2025 is the moment of change in Greece. With a high labor shortage of more than 360,000 jobs, the Greek government has increased its quota of foreign workers and the national minimum wage to draw foreign talent.1
Best Companies to work in Non-Skilled (High Vacancy)
Greece is no longer selective, it has become desperate when it comes to finding reliable labor. Formal certifications are no longer important to companies since a can-do attitude now takes precedence.
- Tourism & Hospitality: The steam engine of the Greek economy.2 Tourism has 25 percent of the GDP and there is an enormous vacancy in the hotel housekeeper, dishwashers, kitchen helpers and beach attendants positions.3
- Agriculture & Seasonal Farming: Thousands of Fruit Pickers, Land Laborers and Livestock Assistants are required to work in Greece with its massive olive groves and citrus orchards each year.4
- Construction & Infrastructure: With the rebound of the real estate market, there exists an immediate demand of General Site Laborers, Masons Assistants and Concrete Workers.5
- Logistics: The shipping centers such as Piraeus are there hiring all the time, Warehouse Packers, Sorters, Food Processing Line Workers (particularly in the olive and dairy plants).
The most important Visa Pathways of Non-Skilled Workers
You can not just go to Greece and find a job, you need an employer to sponsor your entry back at home.6
The Seasonal Work Visa (6 9 months)
This is the most reachable pathway by the agriculture and tourism laborers.
- Duration: 9 months per year.7
- Procedure: The employer makes an Invitation application at the Decentralized Administration Office.8 Once an Invitation application is granted you make a Type D Visa application at your local Greek embassy.9
The Employed Worker Visa (Type D – Dependent)
In long term jobs in factories, warehouses or construction.
- Duration: 1 year, renewable.
- Condition: A 12-month contract signed and evidence of the inability of the employer to find a local EU candidate (the “Labor Market Test”).10
Application Roadmap: 5 Critical Steps
To navigate the “Greek Bureaucracy” it is better to go through the following order:
- Obtain a Legal Employment Opportunity: Use websites such as e-EFKA or JobSquad to locate a registered Greek employer.
- Approval by your boss: your boss will need to have an Act of Approval granted by the Greek authorities.11
- Embassy Visa Interview: You will be given your Type D Visa upon submitting your health insurance, police clearance, and the Act of Approval.
- Tax and Social Security (AFM and AMKA): You will have to register your AFM (Tax ID) and AMKA (Social Security) upon landing, after which you will get your legal paycheck.12
- Residence Permit (Adia Diamonis): Within the first few weeks in the country apply to receive your biometric residency card.
Where to Find Verified Jobs
Do not use non-professional consultants on social media. Official and reputable portals are to be used:
- DYPA (previously OAED): the Greek official Public Employment Service.13
- ManpowerGroup Greece: One of the global agencies that have a great presence in the local markets in logistics and manufacturing.
- Kariera.gr: The most popular job site in the country; select filters of No experience required.
- Workathlon: Specializes in the high-end hospitality positions of the Greek islands.
FAQs
Do unskilled jobs require knowledge of Greek language?
In the case of manual labor (farming/construction), no. In case of tourism, the basic English is required. Nevertheless, basic Greek greetings will make your life much easier in terms of integration and protection.
Will I be able to take my family on seasonal work visa?
No. No family reunion is provided under seasonal work permits.14 Family reunion after 2 years of residence may be provided under long-term (Dependent) visa.
Is there any health insurance coverage to foreign workers in Greece?
Yes. The employer must make a contribution towards your social security (EFKA) which entitles you to access to the public healthcare system.15
What is the duration of the visa process?
The period between the time when your employer files the application and the time you are issued with your visa normally takes 4 to 8 weeks.16
What about the other case when my employer does not offer a house?
A room rent may cost between 300 and 450 Euros in big cities such as Athens. Avoid leaving out clarifying on the status of accommodation at your interview.
Final Thought
Greece is no longer a holiday place, it is a place of real career. The government is creating the red carpet to earners who work hard, with a deficit of 360,000 workers, and in most sectors, they are offering what they term as Accommodation Provided, which in this case, is a chance to save money that will change your life permanently to an 880 wage.
Disclaimer
This job information is shared for educational and informational purposes only. Please verify details from the official employer or government website (such as the Greek Ministry of Migration) before applying.