Hiring Third-Country Nationals for Seasonal Work in Greece’s Tourism Sector

In this article, we explore the recruitment of third-country nationals for employment in the Greek tourism sector, with a special focus on hiring from the Philippines (or other third countries), in accordance with Articles 63, 64, and 66 of Law 5038/2023.

Introduction to Seasonal Work in Greece’s Tourism Industry

Articles 63 and 64 of Law 5038/2023 permit employers to hire third-country nationals for seasonal employment in Greece. This applies across the tourism sector, particularly in hotels and hospitality.

Tourism activities include:

• Tourist accommodation and hotels
• Catering and restaurant services
• Sea tourism and cruise services
• Travel agency operations
• Airport baggage handling services

Seasonal Employment Duration in Greece (Law 5038/2023)

Employers may recruit foreign workers for up to 9 months within a 12-month period, extendable for up to 5 years.

Key conditions:

• Workers must leave Greece for at least 3 months every year.
• Failure to comply results in a 5-year ban from reentering Greece.

How to Recruit Third-Country Nationals for Tourism Jobs in Greece

Employer Application Process

Employers must submit an application to the local immigration office in Greece to hire seasonal workers.

Documents Required for Seasonal Employment in Greece

The application must include:

• Employment contract (covering employer, employee, specialization, workplace, hours, pay, and contract duration)
• Income tax clearance (for sole proprietors) OR corporate income tax return + proof of €60,000 gross revenue per foreign employee (for companies)

Note: Workers no longer need to provide a birth or family status certificate at application stage, but must carry it upon entry to Greece.

Seasonal Work Visa for Greece

Once approved, documents are sent to the Greek consulate abroad to issue the seasonal work visa. Consulates require:

• Translated employment contract (English)
• Travel insurance aligned with the booked flight

Hiring Filipino Workers for Greece: The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

For workers from the Philippines, an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) must be secured before departure.

Key points:

• The OEC is issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
• The employer’s lawyer must coordinate with a licensed Philippine agency.
• The process takes around one month.
• Without the OEC, Filipino workers cannot legally leave for Greece.

Residence Permits for Seasonal Work in Greece (Article 66)

Applying for a Seasonal Residence Permit in Greece

Workers engaged in seasonal employment for more than one period can apply for a residence permit valid for 1–5 years.

Conditions include:

• Employment limited to 9 months per year.
• Proof of insurance with the Greek national system (EFKA).
• Permit may be renewed once for up to 5 years.

Restrictions of the Seasonal Residence Permit in Greece

• No right to family reunification.
• Time spent does not count toward long-term resident status or Greek citizenship.
• The permit cannot be converted into another type of residence permit.

Key Takeaways for Employers and Workers

• Employers in Greece’s tourism sector must follow Law 5038/2023 when hiring workers from third countries.
• Filipino workers require both a Greek seasonal work visa and an OEC issued by the Philippines before departure.
• Seasonal residence permits are limited in scope and do not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.