Seasonal Jobs & Working Holidays in Greece

Greece has fallen on hard times in the past few years with economic troubles and a high unemployment rate but there are still jobs available and local people are extremely friendly. The islands are a lot less affected than the capital Athens for example and every year Greece attracts thousands of tourists and also workers who take advantage of the warm climate, laid back lifestyle, sun and cheap cost of living. This is also helping the Greek economy.

Most summer jobs in Greece can be found in the tourist industry at hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants, travel agencies, car rental offices or working as a holiday rep, in a bar, restaurant or hotel which is extremely popular. When applying to work in hospitality you could apply to work in the following areas: reception staff. chefs, cooks, waiters, waitresses, bar serving staff, cleaners, spa therapists, childcare assistants, activity leaders and tour leaders.

Bar jobs in the Greek Islands are quite easy to get due to the amount of bars throughout the country, usually little experience is needed as it is fairly easy to learn the basics. There are no shortage of hotel jobs available to apply for too, usually there is a mix of local and international staff and this is a good alternative to the lively rep / bar jobs. If you do have previous experience of this type of work then gaining employment shouldn't be too difficult.

If applying in person we recommend printing off lots of CV's and walking around but also going into bars, clubs, hotels and restaurants to actually speak to the staff, managers and hiring people. Getting face to face contact is a lot better than just handing over a CV and also don't expect to just arrive during June or July (both peak seasons) and walk straight into a job.

Be sensible, plan ahead and also work out where the best places to stay are. With hard work and determination you should be able to land a job especially if you get on friendly terms with the local bar managers.

Holiday Rep Jobs

To work at a resort or as a rep in Greece you will need endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm, these jobs can be tiring but one of the best experience you will every encounter.

Working as a rep can be hard work but a lot of fun, sometimes you might be working both days and nights making sure people have the best experience possible. How many hours you work really depends on your hiring company, usually you will work around 5-8 hours per day but sometimes this can be longer.

During low season you can expect to work for around 4-5 days per week but during peak season you can work around 6-7 days.

Salary

If you apply for a seasonal job in Greece and you are wondering how much you will get paid, don't expect to be paid a fortune, sometimes basic wages can be low but this is about the experience as much as the salary.

If you are going to be working in a bar or club - these are the two most popular jobs but starting out you might be shocked at how little you get paid for the hours you might put in. It is not all bad though, you will get plenty of perks which make up for this including free drinks, food, club passes and organised events.

Also Greece is a great value destination a pint of beer costs around €2.00 a soft drink around €1.60 and a bottle of water approx €1.00. Alcohol and food are likely to be your biggest drain on finances.

Some companies offer job packages which can include accommodation and meals, these are usually free but sometimes don't expect wages to be as high as in other European destinations like France, Spain and Italy. Greece lowered their minimum wage in 2012, before this it was 750 Euros but now it is as low as 500 Euros due to the financial crisis which hit the country. You might find some jobs pay cash in hand daily or you will get a weekly or monthly salary.

Some international recruiters offering packages where they will arrange everything from your return flights, accommodation, job placement, food, uniform, insurance, training and in-country support. If you are going to be applying locally to bars, clubs, hotels and resturants then your wages can vary, sometimes a low starting salary is offered but then commission is added for any sales you make.

For voluntary work in Greece this is generally unpaid but usually includes accommodation.

Eligibility & Requirements

For a lot of summer and tourism jobs you will only need to speak English, but learning basic Greek phrases will make your experience of living and working here easier. This country also attracts visitors from all over the world so if you speak other languages like German or Russian this can come in helpful / be an advantage for you to find employment.

"I worked a month in Greece during summer. I loved it so much I asked to stay longer. It was honestly the best thing I've ever done, I also made friends for life." - Chloe, UK

Jobs in Greece for English Speakers, Foreigners & Non-EU Citizens 

Are you interested to find job vacancies in Greece but not sure if you are eligible as you are not from a country in the EU?  We get lots of enquires from people from all around the world including countries like India and South Africa who are keen to secure employment but as you might have realised this isn't that simple. 

There are several way how you can find jobs in Greece as a non-EU citizen. Some companies offer jobs in Greece for Indian, South African and other nationalities but to get hired you will need to be eligible for a work visa or have a company offer you a position. 

Our best advice is to contact the recruiters listed on our website who will be able to help you secure work legally in the country. Or for more options in this region search seasonal jobs in Europe.