What Is the Average Salary in Greece?

The average gross salary in Greece is approximately €1,400 per month, or around €19,600 per year across the country's 14 statutory salary payments. This is based on ERGANI labour data and Eurostat-aligned estimates for 2026. Skilled professionals in technology, finance, and shipping earn considerably more, typically €2,500 to €4,000 per month. The median salary is estimated at €1,050 to €1,100 per month, since a small number of high earners in tech, finance, and healthcare pull the average upward.

The average (mean) salary adds up all earnings and divides by the number of workers, so a small number of very high earners pull the figure upward. Greece's average is about €1,400 per month gross. The median is the middle value, meaning half of workers earn more and half earn less. Greece's median is estimated at €1,050 to €1,100 per month, making it a more realistic picture of typical pay across the country.

The highest-paying roles in Greece include specialist physicians, senior software engineers, finance executives, and senior maritime officers, often earning €40,000 to €96,000 per year or more. IT managers, hotel and resort managers, and engineers also earn well above the national average. These roles cluster around Athens and Thessaloniki's technology and finance hubs, and in Greece's shipping sector, where skilled professionals remain in short supply nationwide.

Yes. Greece has a single national minimum wage set by the government. As of 1 April 2026, under Ministerial Decision 8934/2026, the statutory minimum wage is €920 gross per month for white-collar employees and €41.09 gross per day for blue-collar workers. This rate applies across all sectors unless a collective agreement sets a higher wage. The government has stated an intention to raise the minimum wage further to around €950 by 2027.

Greece applies a progressive personal income tax of 9% to 44% across six brackets, under Law 5246/2025, effective from 1 January 2026. The first €10,000 of taxable income is taxed at 9%, with a tax credit that reduces the effective burden on lower incomes. On top of this, employees contribute 13.87% of gross salary toward EFKA social security. Combined, take-home pay is typically 63% to 86% of gross salary, depending on income level.

It depends on the city and lifestyle. Outside Athens, €1,200 to €1,600 per month comfortably covers rent, groceries, transport, and some savings for a single person. In central Athens, €1,800 or more is a more realistic baseline due to higher rent. Choosing a neighbourhood outside the city centre, sharing accommodation, and using the Athens Metro instead of a car can help an average salary stretch considerably further.

Foreign professionals in Greece often earn salaries comparable to or higher than local employees in similar roles, particularly in multinational companies, shipping, and technology. Employers typically need to demonstrate a labour shortage or secure an approved work permit before hiring a non-EU national. Highly skilled workers may also qualify for the EU Blue Card, which requires a minimum salary. Pay ultimately depends on the sector, qualifications, and employer type.

A good salary for a single person in Athens is generally €2,000 or more per month, comfortably covering rent, groceries, transport, and savings. In cities such as Thessaloniki or Patras, €1,500 or more is a realistic threshold, since rent and daily costs are considerably lower. Salaries above €3,000 per month place you well above the national average in most industries and sectors.

Greece's average salary sits toward the lower end of the Western European pay scale, and Greek professionals typically earn less than counterparts in Germany, France, or the Netherlands. However, the country's relatively low cost of living helps offset this gap. Because Greece pays wages 14 times a year and applies a progressive tax with credits for lower incomes, take-home pay as a share of gross salary compares reasonably well within the EU.

Most Greece work visas require a valid job offer and an approved work permit, with no fixed minimum salary threshold for standard roles. For the EU Blue Card, aimed at highly skilled professionals, the minimum gross annual salary is set at 1.6 times Greece's average annual wage, approximately €31,900 per year. Shortage occupations, including IT and engineering roles, may qualify under more flexible criteria.