Work permit

Work Permit for Swiss Citizens in Greece

Thanks to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU, Swiss citizens in Greece generally do not require a classic "work permit" like third-country nationals, as long as they have a valid passport or identity card and their employment relationship complies with Greek labor laws. They generally have free access to the labor market. Nevertheless, administrative formalities are required before taking up employment. Important are a valid employment contract, adequate health insurance coverage, and registration with the competent authorities in Greece.

Registration of the Employment Relationship in the Greek System

In Greece, the registration of an employment relationship usually takes place via the employer and several central registers. First, the written employment contract must be reported to the competent authorities, typically via the central online system E-PSE ("Electronic Personnel Registration") at the Ministry of Labor. This records information such as the start of employment, place of work, professional activity, industry, salary, and the language of the employment contract used. The employer is legally obliged to report every hiring within specified deadlines (often a few days after the start of employment).

In parallel, registration as an insured employee is carried out via the social and insurance system (EFKA, e.g., IKA as the largest social insurance agency). For this, the individual social security number AMKA is required, which is applied for at the competent social insurance agency and used for the entire duration of the employment relationship. Social security contributions are borne proportionally by the employer and the employee and are automatically deducted via payroll.

In addition, the tax identification number AFM must be available from the local tax authority. For Swiss citizens who wish to work in Greece for the first time, an application for the AFM is usually submitted, usually with presentation of the passport or identity card and proof of residence in Greece (rental agreement or registration confirmation). The tax identification number AFM is entered on the payroll and used for all tax settlements.

Important Documents at a Glance

For Swiss citizens who want to work in Greece, the following documents are typically relevant:

• Valid Swiss passport or identity card

• Employment contract or written proof of employment

• Proof of professional qualification with certified translation (degrees, certificates, work references)

• Proof of health insurance

• Proof of accommodation (rental agreement or registration confirmation)

• Tax number AFM

• Social security number AMKA

Note

Even if no separate work permit is required, there may be additional requirements depending on the industry or profession (e.g., recognition of professional qualifications or special licenses). These regulations may change. It is therefore advisable to check the current regulations with the competent Greek authorities, the Swiss Embassy, or an official counseling center before taking up employment.