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Living in Greece |
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GEOGRAPHY |
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Greece lies in south eastern Europe at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a total area of 50,944 square miles (131,944 square kilometres) of which one-fifth constitutes the Greek Islands. The area of Greece is approximately the same as that of England or the U.S. state of Alabama. Greece is bounded on the north from west to east by Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria, and on the east by Turkey. The Greek mainland is a peninsula bounded by the Ionian Sea to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the east. Greece is a land of mountains and of sea.
The country's capital is Athens, which is home to about one-third of the country's entire population.
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CLIMATE |
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Greece has an extremely hot and dry summer. Summer temperature ranges from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. Winter is mild throughout the country, with a temperature averaging between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius.
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PEOPLE |
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In 1998, the population of Greece was estimated at 10,662,000. More than 4 million Greeks are estimated to live abroad including 2 million in the U.S. In terms of ethnic composition, Greeks make up 98% of the total population. The other ethnic groups are Macedonians, Turks, Albanians, Bulgarians, Armenians, and Gypsies.
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LANGUAGE |
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Greek is the official language.
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RELIGION |
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Ninety-seven percent of the population belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, with the remainder being Muslims, Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Jews.
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GOVERNMENT |
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Greece is a parliamentary democracy whose 1975 Constitution established a 300-member, unicameral Parliament where the majority party leader becomes prime minister. The duties of the president are largely ceremonial. With the consent of the advisory body known as the Council of the Republic, the president can dissolve the Parliament. The highest judicial authority in Greece rests with the Supreme Court and the Council of State.
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IMMIGRATION POLICY |
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Entry Requirements
A foreigner who wishes to enter Greece should present a valid passport/travel document, and visa issued from the Greek Consulate. In the case of foreign workers, they must present an entry permit issued by the Greek Ministry of Labour.
Two types of visas are generally issued, namely:
- Tourist and Business visas may be single and multiple entry.
- Transit visas may be single and double entry. Nationals of Canada, the United States and European Union (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) are not required to present a visa upon entry to Greece. Filipino nationals need to apply for a visa if they intend to visit Greece.
The residence permit issued by the Greek government can be classified as follows:
- Residence and Work Permits for Foreign Workers - Upon arrival in Greece, a foreign worker should undergo a medical exam before securing a residence and work permit. The work permit is granted upon presentation of proof of membership to the Social Security Institute (IKA). The residence and work permits are valid for one (1) year and may be renewed every year up to five (5) years provided there is no change in the condition for which it was granted. The work permit may be renewed upon presentation of the following documents:
- Certificate from the Greek Taxation Office showing proof of payment of income taxes to the Greek government by both employer and employee; and
- Updated payment of the worker's IKA premium.
The employer of the foreign worker who intends to continue his legal residence and employment in Greece beyond the five-year limit should submit an application for the extension of the work permit's validity to the Greek Ministry of Public Order. Approval of the request for extension is not automatic and is granted on a case-to-case basis. The Ministry of Public Order makes the decision with the concurrence of the Ministry of Labour. The extension is valid for one (1) year and may be renewed for another year. A foreigner may be granted an indefinite residence permit after 15 years of legal residence and 120 months of IKA membership.
- Residence Permit for Foreign Students - A foreign student is required to submit to the local authorities the following documents:
- Transcript of academic records from the last school enrolled in; and
- Birth certificate. Both documents should have a corresponding Greek translation.
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After assessment of documents submitted, a special entry authorization allowing the foreign student to enrol in the course selected will be issued. After being issued a special entry authorization, the foreign student shall secure a resident permit, which will be valid for one (1) year and is renewable every year until such time when the student graduates from the course.
The renewal of the residence permit will depend on the following factors:
- Foreign student's school attendance and performance;
- Sufficient finances to cover studies, living expenses, and medical care; and
- Absence of serious delinquency regarding public order, safety and health.
- Any foreigner found attending school in Greece without a residence permit, shall be required to leave immediately unless necessary documents are presented to the local authorities within one month.'
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Residence Permit for Foreigners Married to Greek Nationals - A foreigner who is legally married to a Greek national is required to secure a residence permit. This permit is valid for one year and is renewable every year. If a foreign spouse has a valid working permit at the time of the marriage, the existing permit is validated under his/her married name, and he/she is allowed to seek employment. If a foreign spouse, however, does not possess a working permit at the time of the marriage, he/she shall have to wait for two years from the date of marriage in order to obtain a work permit. In case of divorce, the foreign spouse can continue to stay in Greece if the foreigner and his/her Greek spouse have a child. On the other hand, if no child was born at the time of marriage, the foreign spouse will not be allowed to stay in Greece.
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Deportation /Penalties for Overstaying in Greece |
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Local authorities shall collect fines from foreigners who have overstayed their visas in Greece. Fines range from US$85 to US$ 769 depending on the period of time in which their visas have expired. Foreigners who are unable to pay the said fines are deported, blacklisted and may not be allowed re-entry for a period of 4 years. The blacklisting, however, can be lifted prior to the expiration of the 4-year period if the fine is paid upon re-entry.
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Rights of Migrants |
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Foreigners who are staying in Greece with appropriate permits enjoy the same rights as Greek nationals except the right to vote.
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Family Reunification/Sponsorship |
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A foreigner with a valid residence permit can bring into Greece his/her spouse and unmarried children below the age of 18. Family members, however, are required to stay with the "petitioner" and are prohibited from seeking independent work. When the accompanying child comes of legal age, he/she may be issued a separate residence permit by the Ministry of Public Order provided he/she has sufficient funds to sustain his/her housing and living needs.
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Remittances |
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Foreigners can freely remit part of their monthly salaries to their respective families overseas provided the amount being remitted does not exceed 2,000 ECU (equivalent to US$ 2,480).
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CITIZENSHIP |
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For foreign workers After 15 years of legal residence in Greece, the foreign worker is eligible to apply for Greek citizenship upon presentation of proof of Greek language proficiency and of real estate property ownership. For foreigners married to a Greek national, After five (5) years of legal residence, the foreign spouse of a Greek national will be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship.
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EMPLOYMENT |
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Employment of Foreign Workers
A foreigner who intends to work in Greece should apply for an appropriate visa from the Greek Consulate and an entry permit from the Greek Ministry of Labour. The local employer is required to submit to the local inspectorate within the area of employment an application which contains the foreign worker's personal data with the following supporting documents:
- Certificate of the foreign worker's family status authenticated by the Greek consulate;
- Diploma or certificate of educational qualification;
- Employment contract;
- List of foreign worker/s employed attested by the Labour Inspectorate;
- Statement declaring that the employer's yearly income is 3 times the income of the unskilled worker and a certificate of paid income taxes;
- Health certificate from the state hospital of the foreign worker's country of origin;
- Declaration/certification that the foreign worker's subsistence, medical and repatriation expenses shall be borne by the employer;
- Statement from the deposit and loans fund that a sum equal to three (3) months salary of an unskilled worker has been deposited by the employer; and
- Certification from the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) that no Greek national applied for the vacancy after three (3) months of advertisement.
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Wages |
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The minimum salary of a foreign worker should not be less than the minimum wage of an unskilled Greek worker. All the benefits/bonuses enjoyed by a Greek worker shall be given to a foreign worker. These benefits are:
- Christmas bonus - equivalent to one (1) month salary
- Orthodox Easter bonus - equivalent to 1/2 month salary
- Summer bonus - equivalent to 1/2 month salary
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Hours of Work |
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The total number of working hours of an ordinary worker is 8 hours a day. As a matter of practice, however, household workers usually work from 7 am to as late as 11 pm, with 1-2 hours of rest period. "Siesta time" for Greeks is generally observed between 3 pm to 6 pm.
During the summer season, it is customary for Greeks to go on vacation for 1-2 months and stay in their summer houses. They usually take their domestic helpers with them.
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Rest Period |
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A worker is granted 1 to 1 1/2 days off from work per week. The day-off is usually spent on a weekend. If the day-off is to exceed the number prescribed above, this must be agreed upon between the employee and the employer.
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Leave |
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A year of service entitles a foreign worker to an annual vacation leave with pay according to the following schedule:
- Those working for 5 days a week - 20 working days; and
- Those working for 6 days a week - 24 working days.
For the succeeding years, one day is added to the earned vacation leave for every year of service until a maximum of 26 days is reached. A foreign worker intending to spend vacation outside of Greece is allowed to stay outside the country for a maximum of 60 days, including travel time, otherwise, the worker will not be permitted to re-enter Greece.
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Labour Disputes |
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In case of grievances or problems with employers, especially if there is a violation of the provisions stated in the employment contract, foreign workers can seek the assistance of the local labour inspector designated by the Ministry of Labour. If the case can not be resolved, the designated labour inspector will assist the foreign worker in elevating the case to an appropriate court.
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SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM |
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The largest insurance institution in Greece is the Social Security Institute locally known as the IKA. The institute derives its income from contributions of workers and employers as well as government funding. The contribution is shared by, the employee and employer on a ratio of 2/3 and 1/3 respectively. Coverage all persons who are employed in Greece are covered by the IKA. Membership of foreign workers in IKA is compulsory and a pre-requisite for the issuance of a work permit.
Employers who have workers in their home (e.g. cooks, gardeners, domestic helpers) are required to notify the IKA of the start of the employment so that corresponding insurance coverage will be effected. IKA must also be notified by the employer, of termination of the services of the worker.
Heavy fines are imposed against employers who hire foreign workers but do not pay the mandatory insurance premium to IKA. A fine and surcharge must be paid on top of the total amount of the outstanding contribution payments. In case of non-compliance by the employer (i.e. non-payment of contribution, employer pays wages which are not commensurate to the number of actual working days or the salary agreed upon), the employee, upon termination of employment must notify IKA in writing of this non-compliance immediately or within 6 months.
Employees receive various benefits from IKA and other organizations such as the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED), Workers' Housing Organization (OEK) and the Workers' Foundation. Workers with higher salary and those who have more working days receive greater benefits.
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EDUCATION |
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About ninety-three percent of the population over age 15 is literate. Greece, like all other modern countries, has a three-level educational system. Nine years of education, normally undertaken from ages six through fifteen, are free and compulsory. Of the compulsory years, the first six are in primary school, the next three in a gymnasium; an additional three secondary years (in a college preparatory - lyceum) are optional but also free of charge.
Promotion to the lyceum is automatic for graduates of the gymnasium. Prior to completion of the gymnasium, the Panhellenic Examinations are administered in two stages, at the end of grades eleven and twelve, to determine eligibility for university enrolment.
Pre-school is also free for children between the ages of 3½ to 5½ years. There are no religious schools because religious instruction is compulsory for Greek Orthodox students in public schools.
Globalsurance is an independent Worldwide Health Insurance Advisor. If you are an expat living in Greece or have plans to live or move to Greece we can give you independent advice or a range of free Health Insurance Quotes; click for Free Advice and Quotes.
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