From gross to net pay in Greece — what you actually take home

Your gross salary (μικτά) loses about 13.37% to employee social-insurance (EFKA), then income tax, to leave your net (καθαρά). Roughly: about 85% net at the minimum wage, ~79% around €1,500/month, ~70% around €3,000 — before the extra 3% TEKA pension for new entrants. And Greek salaries are paid 14 times a year, which a “monthly” figure hides.

The shape of a Greek payslip

gross → minus employee EFKA (~13.37%) → taxable income → minus income tax (after a tax credit) → net. Separately, your employer pays about 21.79% on top of your gross — that doesn’t come out of your pay, but it’s the real cost of employing you (see employer cost).

The 14-payments rule (important)

private-sector salaries are paid 14 times a year — 12 months plus a Christmas bonus (×1), an Easter bonus (×0.5) and a holiday allowance (×0.5). So a “€1,000/month” job pays €14,000 a year, not €12,000. When comparing a Greek salary to one elsewhere, annualise it.

Illustrative take-home (2026 figures, single, over 25, no children — approximate):

€920 gross/month (minimum wage) → roughly €780 net; costs the employer ~€1,120.
€1,500 gross/month → roughly €1,190 net; employer cost ~€1,827.
€3,000 gross/month → roughly €2,106 net; employer cost ~€3,654.

These are estimates, cross-checked against Greek payroll calculators — your exact net depends on children, age, the tax-credit taper and your category. Use an official calculator or an accountant for your own number.

Why net shrinks as you earn more

income tax is progressive (9% up to €10,000, rising to 44% above €60,000), so a bigger share of each extra euro goes to tax. EFKA, by contrast, is a flat percentage up to a ceiling.

Foreigner lens

to be on a Greek payroll you need an AFM and an AMKA; non-EU workers need a residence permit with work rights first. The rates are identical regardless of nationality.

How not to get cheated

always check whether a quoted salary is gross or net, and whether it’s stated per month (×14) or per year. A “monthly gross” can look higher or lower than it really is depending on those two things. And if an employer wants to pay you as a μπλοκάκι freelancer to avoid their 21.79%, understand what you’d be giving up.

EFKA contributions · income-tax brackets · minimum wage · employment forms · TEKA pension

This is general information, not tax or payroll advice. Figures are 2026 estimates and change yearly — confirm your own net with an official calculator or accountant. WTP Finance is informational only.

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