Work in Greece for Russians. Vacancies in 2021

There is work in Greece even during a crisis. A Russian emigrant can get a job in the tourism sector, the agricultural sector, the construction field, or in a large international company if he has a special education.

The salary level will depend on your qualifications, as well as knowledge of foreign languages.

The Greek city of Zakynthos on the island of the same name Zakynthos

You can work in Greece only with a work visa or special permit. Illegal employment threatens not only a fine, but also deportation from the country.

Meanwhile, every year our compatriots go to Greece to work. 2021, although post-crisis, was no exception in this regard. For some, it ends only with seasonal part-time work or internship, while others are seriously thinking about changing their place of residence after excellent career prospects.

And the issue of employment is really acute for those citizens who are going to immigrate to Greece on the basis of a work visa.

Ways to find a job

Today, you can find a job in Greece in several ways: contact a recruiting agency or independently look for a place of employment through specialized websites.

Through the company

A recruiting agency is a company that searches and selects the vacancy a person needs based on requirements and education. Such agencies can be legal or illegal. Legitimate companies do not require money for their services; they first enter into an agreement with the employer.

After a person is hired, the employer pays a commission to the agency from the employee's first salary.

Illegal recruiting agencies operate in a slightly different area. In such companies, for the selection of a vacancy you will initially need to pay from 50 euros. Such agencies accompany a person to employment. But it is worth remembering that there are a lot of similar agencies on the market, so there is a chance of getting scammed.

Therefore, before selecting a vacancy, it is better to conclude an agreement and check all the company’s documentation so as not to lose your own money.

A list of verified recruiting agencies is presented on the website https://www.xo.gr/. Some of the most popular recruitment agencies are the agencies https://mirviz.com/ and https://cac-ua.com/.

Through the Internet

Independent search via the Internet is possible only on specialized sites. Website for finding jobs in the public sector – https://www.asep.gr/asep/site/home.csp

It is better for people with higher education and qualifications to use the website https://www.manpowergroup.gr/, and for doctors, lawyers, and teachers it is better to visit the portal https://www.proslipsis.gr/cmCat_index.php?cm_catid=2. English teachers can easily find vacancies on the website https://www.tefl.com/.

Other sites:

• https://www.xe.gr/.
• https://www.diorismos.gr/.
• https://www.learn4good.com/jobs/language/english/list/country/greece/.
• https://www.monster.com/geo/siteselection/.

What do you need to work in the country?

Greece is part of the Schengen zone, so first, to come to this country, you need to obtain a Schengen visa. To work, you must obtain the appropriate permit; working on a tourist visa is illegal.

Official employment involves the following stages:

• Finding a suitable vacancy in the country (we described above how and where this can be done).
• Signing an employment contract with subsequent approval of the candidate’s workplace at the Greek Employment Service (obtaining a work permit).
• Applying for a long-term visa type D at the Greek Consulate (here you can apply).
• Obtaining a residence permit (residence permit) with the right to work.

The first and main stage is finding a suitable vacancy and employer. Due to the fact that official employment of a foreigner involves paperwork, it is rare that an employer is willing to deal with this. Therefore, there is a greater chance of concluding a working agreement with some large international company or scientific institute that is in need of highly specialized specialists.

For farmers or hoteliers looking only for seasonal workers, this is not practical because it is easier for them to hire someone already living in the country. And after the employment contract is signed, the employer is required to obtain permission from the state to hire a foreign citizen.

Work permit

According to current legislation, only residents of the European Union or citizens of Crete itself (the Greek Republic) can work without a work permit on the island of Crete. Illegal employment is not encouraged in this country. After all, for this, the employer can be imprisoned for 3 months or receive a fine.

In the Greek Republic, a permit is issued only for employment in a specific company for a position (specialty) agreed with the employer. This means that with a work permit obtained, a foreigner will not be able to find a job anywhere else. If you change your place of work, you will need to re-issue a work permit.

Previously, a work permit was a separate form. Not long ago the legislation changed. According to the innovations, the permit is automatically indicated in the issued residence permit to a foreign national. The residence permit appears in the form of a sticker that is pasted into the foreigner’s foreign passport.

A residence permit is issued for a period of one year, the “sticker” indicates

• Employer information.
• Position held.
• Region of place of work.

To obtain a permit, a foreign national is required to visit the migration department at the place of residence. An application filled out exclusively in Greek is submitted to this organization.

The issuance of a residence permit on the island of Crete is paid. To obtain a permit you will need to pay 150 euros.

Typically this document is valid for one year. But it can be extended. Documents for renewal must be submitted at least 2 months before the expiration date of the residence permit.

Popular specialties

There is a shortage of service sector workers in Greece. In this country, it is quite difficult for highly qualified specialists to find work, but people with such professions as:

• Animator.
• Guide.
• Governess.
• Manager.
• Nanny.
• Waiter.

Contrary to popular belief, a man can also work as a tutor

Most vacancies are concentrated in the tourism industry, since Greece is a favorite holiday destination for many foreigners. Immigrants can find work in hotels; most often, such employment is seasonal, but workers are provided with housing and food at the expense of the employer.

Shipbuilding and maritime transportation are well developed in this country, so the country needs experienced engineers, mechanics, programmers and other technical specialties.

It is also easy to find work for builders, painters, plasterers, plumbers, electricians and roofers.

In small towns there is a shortage of lawyers, medical workers and economists. Work in the above specialties requires confirmation of a diploma.

Agricultural work in Greece

Greece is considered to be a largely agricultural country, so the demand for representatives of agricultural specialties is high.

The crisis, of course, affected the economic situation in the country, however, the harvests did not decrease as a result. This means that people who will work on plantations are still in demand today.

In 2021, foreigners are traditionally offered to collect citrus fruits: tangerines, oranges, lemons, as well as olives.

Working outdoors requires good physical fitness and stamina, and brings in relatively little money. The hot season is considered to be from October to April. That is, you can have time to travel to Greece twice in a year. This will require a work visa allowing seasonal work.

The rest of the time, that is, in our summer, you can also work in the agricultural sector, however, not at harvesting, but caring for poultry and livestock. The salary level is slightly higher, but far from sufficient. The undeniable advantage of such unskilled work is that knowledge of foreign languages ​​is not required.

Service personnel in Greece

One of Greece's main sources of income is tourism. The country welcomes almost 20 million visitors annually. Accordingly, in order to be able to serve all visitors at the proper level, a significant number of specialists who work in this area are also required.

An excellent climate and a varied leisure program make Greece popular all year round, so 12 months a year, waiters, bartenders, hostesses, hotel and inn administrators, animators, guides are required to work - in a word, everyone who helps organize tourists’ holidays at the proper level.

Such work in Greece is available to everyone without exception, and this is one of the best ways to go live abroad. Moreover, they are willing to accept both temporary, seasonal work and permanent ones. You can find a vacancy where knowledge of languages ​​is not required, or you can find a job for a Russian polyglot who is fluent in English, German and Greek, along with his own native language.

Internship at a Greek hotel

Of course, the level of your salaries will depend on your qualifications, experience and ability to communicate with tourists and local residents. From 350 euros for an unqualified specialist without knowledge of languages ​​to 2000 euros for a trained worker.

An undeniable advantage of employment in this field is the provision of free housing and food abroad.

But you should understand that in the summer, during peak periods, you will have to work without breaks and weekends, 12 hours a day.

An alternative to such work in a hotel, boarding house or large company is private employment. For example, you can work as a personal guide or translator. Serve not organized groups of tourists, but exclusive clients who book individual tours.

Such work as a guide is paid much higher, however, and the requirements for applicants increase accordingly. You can also receive tourists from Russia in Greece and arrange excursions for them if desired.

Women who know how to care for the sick and elderly, help around the house, clean up, cook, take care of clothes and do other everyday work are constantly in demand. Moreover, there are a lot of people willing to employ such workers, even illegally, with the provision of housing and food.

To work in the tourism sector, you need to obtain a special visa. For seasonal work, a short-term visa is suitable, and to live in Greece and work like ordinary citizens, an annual work visa, on the basis of which a residence permit in Greece will be issued.

If you engage in personal activities without formalization and registration with the relevant authorities of Greece at your own peril and risk, then you can have any type of Greek visa or residence permit that allows you to legally stay in the country.

Map of administrative divisions of Greece

Construction trades in Greece

Specialists with hands and head are in demand in Greece, as this state is constantly being built, growing, and changing. While Greece itself trains technical engineers in sufficient numbers, there is a categorical shortage of specialists who have practical skills in working with materials and machines.

Such work is also in demand in Greece in 2021: although the crisis froze a significant part of the facilities, it did not completely stop activities.

Again, the salary will depend on qualifications and language skills. English alone is clearly not enough; it will be in demand paired with spoken Greek, and even better, German.

Without this knowledge, only highly specialized professionals, who are difficult to find not only in Greece, but throughout the European Union, can get a well-paid job.

Specialists with higher education

Whether in summer or winter, work in Greece is available for people with specialized higher education. Our specialists in the field of computer technology, programming and development are in good standing. Russian scientists are valued.

Medical specialists and teachers are almost always in demand. The salary level for Greece is quite decent, although in 2016 there was a decrease in earnings throughout the country, and not just for visiting specialists.

Foreign specialists have a better chance of getting high-paying jobs in large international companies located in Greece.

Such employers are more willing to employ Russian specialists than Greeks. This is explained by the temperament of local residents, their innate slowness and little desire to work. Therefore, here, even in a crisis, a Russian emigrant has an undeniable advantage over local residents and other citizens of the European Union.

Advantages and disadvantages of working in Greece

There are no ideal countries, and Greece is no exception. Working there, like other aspects of life, has its pros and cons. Before making the final decision to move, you should think carefully about whether any negative aspects will interfere with building a new life in a new country.

The advantages of working in Greece include:

• large selection of unskilled labor;
• knowledge of the language is not required everywhere;
• strict adherence to working hours and rest;
• demand for highly qualified specialists;
• in the case of an official structure - guarantees enshrined in the laws of the state.

The disadvantages are:

• low wages relative to other European Union countries;
• the difficulty of obtaining documents that allow you to legally stay in the country.

For citizens of the Russian Federation

Greece is popular among citizens of the Russian Federation. Tired of the endless cold and noisy, dirty cities, they leave for this country of four seas, primarily for the warm climate and kind, smiling people. Work for Russians in Crete and other tourist destinations consists mainly of serving travelers. Wealthy people open hotels and restaurants; those who do not have start-up capital become private guides, photographers, and event organizers.

Due to strict immigration laws and the complexity of paperwork (you can apply for Greek citizenship no earlier than 11 years of legal residence in the country), people engaged in remote work are in no hurry to move here. Freelancers prefer no less warm and welcoming places, where it is much easier to register a legal presence there.

Nevertheless, work and vacancies in Greece are not uncommon for Russians. As in many countries of the world, classical Russian education is highly valued here. Medical workers, teachers of educational institutions, scientists in various fields, specialists in the field of computer technology and programmers are often required, and people from Russia are invited to fill their positions. Salaries for such positions can reach 2,000 euros per month.

For Ukrainians

Citizens of Ukraine love their country. Very often, they do not emigrate to other states, but go there to earn money, so that later, upon returning to their homeland, they can settle their lives there. That is why they are often attracted to seasonal unskilled labor.

Work in Greece for Ukrainians in 2021 is offered the same as before. Men can become harvesters and agricultural workers. If you have documents, you can get a job as a driver or builder. Women are hired as nurses, nannies and maids.

The average salary you can expect for such work ranges from 500 to 800 euros per month. It should be taken into account that more than half of the amount will have to be spent on rent and food.

Highly qualified specialists from Ukraine can also try their hand at more prestigious positions. In addition to the vacancies that Russians traditionally apply for, Ukrainians are attracted to the work of engineers and technologists in production.

For Belarusians and Kazakhs

People from all CIS countries come to Greece to work - some more actively, others less so. In general, employment conditions for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and Kazakhs do not differ from each other. For Greece, as a member of the Schengen Agreement, all these states are third world countries. This means that there are increased requirements for paperwork.

What vacancy a migrant worker will fill does not depend on nationality. The decisive factor in this matter can only be knowledge of foreign languages, education and previous work experience.

On average, the standard of living and wages in Belarus and Kazakhstan are lower than in Russia. Therefore, it is quite profitable for citizens of these countries to work even in low-skilled jobs and in service positions in Greece. The Greek minimum wage is quite comparable to the average income of the CIS countries.

Salaries by specialty

The minimum wage in the state in 2021 is 540 euros.

Table: average salary by profession

Low paid professions

The lowest salaries are received by representatives of such professions as:

• Journalist (annual salary – 5,800 euros).
• Waiter (annual salary – 7,000 euros).
• Bus driver (annual salary – 8,000 euros).
• Cleaner (annual salary – 10,000 euros).
• Window cleaner (annual salary – 10,300 euros).

Highly paid professions

The highest salaries go to:

• Dentists (47,700 euros per year).
• Doctors (47,500 euros per year).
• HR managers (36,800 euros per year).
• Marketing managers (30,600 euros per year).
• Pharmacologists (27,800 euros per year).

Labor legislation

The minimum wage has not changed since 2013; before taxes it is 683.76 euros, after payment it is about 540 euros.

The standard working week is 40 hours. Overtime hours are paid separately as agreed with the employee (but not more than 3 hours per day). In this case, the payment is distributed as follows:

Greek citizens and legal migrant workers who have lost their jobs are entitled to unemployment benefits. It can range from 350 to 700 euros per month.

Employment

The first stage of employment is finding a job. After a foreign resident has found the desired place of employment, he should sign an employment contract with the employer, on the basis of which a work visa to Greece will be issued.

This is what a Greek residence permit looks like

After signing the contract, you need to obtain a work permit, and only after receiving it can you apply for a visa. After arriving in the country, the immigrant is required to obtain a residence permit.

General situation on the labor market

In Greece, as in other countries of the European Union, migration legislation is becoming more and more stringent every year. If a few years ago it was possible to find a job by arriving without knowledge of the language, the necessary qualifications and documents permitting work, and thus legalize one’s position in a new country, now it is almost impossible.

Statistics say that immigrants make up about 20% of the Greek workforce. Due to the sensational crisis, about 25% of the population was left without work - some enterprises were closed, others were reduced in staff.

Thus, in a situation where a huge number of Greeks and migrant workers have lost their jobs and many of them have begun to receive social benefits, the government is doing everything possible to reduce the influx of new people into the country.

However, there are always a number of vacancies that local residents are reluctant to accept. As a rule, this is low-skilled labor or some kind of dirty work.

Greeks, and even migrants with experience, prefer to be on social benefits than to receive the same money, shedding seven sweats. Therefore, visitors always have a chance to catch one of the unpopular vacancies.

Migrants can work legally or illegally – this is everyone’s personal choice. However, it is necessary to understand that getting a job legally is becoming more and more difficult, and staying in an illegal status is becoming more and more dangerous. Therefore, before making the final decision to move to Greece, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Work Visa

The employer is responsible for issuing a work visa for an employee. He is required to submit an application to the Ministry of Labor. After receiving a positive response from the ministry, the employer will need to visit the local police station and obtain approval for a work visa.

The next step is to contact the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for issuing work visas.

A foreign resident enters Greece on a tourist visa (Schengen visa for Russians). Ukrainians can enter for 90 years without a visa. After crossing the Greek border, the employee is issued a work visa for 1 year, which can be extended up to 5 times.

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A work visa is issued during the period when the employee has already arrived in Greece. Without his presence, it is impossible to issue this document, since you will need the original passport.

Basic documents for obtaining a work visa:

• Application form.
• International passport.
• Photograph.
• Documents confirming the financial solvency of a foreign resident, that is, you will need to prove that the employee has the funds to live in that country.
• Labor contract.

Extension of a work visa is carried out by submitting an application to the local prefecture and migration policy authorities. To renew you will need to pay 140 euros.

Required documents

In order for Russians, Ukrainians and residents of other countries to work in Greece legally, visitors must obtain a work visa of category D (usually it is issued for 12 months and then extended for up to 5 years). To obtain such a visa, you must prepare and submit the following documents to the Greek consulate or visa center:

• a valid passport with a copy of the page with the photo;
• copy of civil passport;
• completed application form;
• 2 photographs (photos must be color, size – 3.5x4.5);
• a copy of the concluded employment contract with the employer.

In some cases, migrants are required to collect additional documents:

• certificate of no criminal record;
• health certificate (medical examination report);
• a certificate from the employer indicating the vacancy and expected salary;
• a document confirming the change of surname (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).

Once a worker with an open visa enters Greece, he will need to obtain a work permit within one month. To do this, you will need to fill out a statement and submit it to the police or local municipality. The finished permit is a small sticker that is pasted into the passport. To obtain it, the following package of documents is required:

• a certificate of health of the employee (must be issued by Greek doctors);
• open work visa;
• a certificate from the employer confirming that he undertakes to employ the newcomer, pay him a salary and pay all living expenses before issuing a work permit.

Those who decide to work illegally in Greece face severe penalties. An employee who has not completed all the required documents will be required to pay a fine of 1.2 thousand euros or spend a year and a half in prison. After this, the offender will be deported from the country, prohibiting him from entering for the next five years. The employer who hires an illegal immigrant will also bear responsibility: he will face a large fine or arrest for up to 3 years.

Work permit

The employer is also responsible for obtaining a work permit. He is obliged to submit an application to the OAED and to the employment department of the relevant Greek prefecture at the location of his company.

To obtain a work permit you will need to provide the following documents:

• Statement on the marital status of the employee. The application must be certified by the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic.
• Diploma.
• Employment contract.
• A photocopy of the work book.
• Certificate of payment of taxes by the employer.
• A certificate confirming that the employer's annual profit is 3 times or more greater than the annual profit of the potential foreign employee.
• A medical certificate confirming the absence of life-threatening diseases. The certificate must be issued only by accredited public medical institutions in Greece.
• A statement confirming that all expenses, including medical care, will be borne by the employer.
• A certificate from the OAED confirming that within 90 days from the opening (publication) of a vacant vacancy, no Greek citizens or residents of European Union countries applied for it.

Illegal employment

There are several types of “punishment” for illegal employment in Greece. Illegal immigrants face imprisonment for up to 1.5 years for violation. He can also be fined 1,200 euros and deported from the country, followed by a ban on entry into Greece and EU countries for 5 years.

Work visa to Greece for Russians and how to get it

In order for a Russian to be able to legally work in Greece for more than 3 months, he needs to apply for a category D visa to a visa center or consulate.

It is worth noting that such a visa can only be issued if the applicant already has an offered position. Otherwise, issuance will be denied.

Documents that must be presented to obtain a work Schengen visa to Greece:

• completed and signed form ();
• two photographs that meet international standards and were taken recently;
• a foreign passport that will be valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of the requested visa;
• copies of all pages of the current passport, as well as the previous passport;
• an employment contract with the sponsoring company, signed by both parties;
• bank account statement confirming the applicant’s solvency;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• a medical certificate confirming that the applicant does not suffer from any dangerous infectious diseases (translated into Greek and certified by a notary);

In some cases, additional documents , such as:

• Marriage certificate;
• birth certificate;
• health insurance that can cover a certain amount;
• certificate from the place of work where the citizen is employed.

The entire list of required documentation can be clarified at the Consulate or Embassy of Greece. If the package of documents is collected correctly, there will be no problems with issuing a visa .

The crisis is going away, unemployment remains

Getting a job in Greece has become difficult even for native residents, not to mention foreign applicants. Citizens of Ukraine, Russia and other CIS countries, despite the crisis, continue to look abroad in the hope of snatching a tasty morsel. You can get a job, but the salary will be far from the desired ideal, as well as working conditions.

To earn a decent salary, and this is from 2000 euros per month, you must have not only exceptional knowledge, special education, but also have various certificates confirming your advanced training and completed courses. Experience in similar and related fields, as well as knowledge of languages, is what will make you superior to competitors - applicants for the same position - with European citizenship.

Going to a foreign country and not knowing its language is unreasonable. Moreover, it is impossible to get a good job without this. English must be mastered at a confident, fluent conversational level, but this is not enough. Knowledge of Greek significantly increases your chances, as does knowledge of other foreign languages ​​- German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Working in restaurants on the Greek coast

It is almost impossible to get a job without knowing the language; even laborers, crop cleaners and domestic service personnel must understand what they want from them and be able to express themselves. A minimum knowledge of English is required for hotel room cleaners. Waiters and bartenders must speak well and understand visitors; the level of customer service and tip percentage depend on this.