What Are The Public Holidays in Greece in 2025?

List of Public Holidays in Greece in 2025

Below is the full list of official public holidays in Greece for 2025. The table includes the date, day, and name of each holiday, giving employers an at-a-glance view of the national holiday calendar.

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

Yes, Greek labor law requires employers to provide paid leave on all official public holidays. Employees are not generally expected to work on these days. When work is required due to business necessity, employers must compensate employees with additional pay, typically 75% above their standard wage or provide compensatory time off.

Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid public holidays, provided their usual work schedule falls on that day. If a public holiday occurs during an employee’s paid annual leave, the day does not count against their annual leave entitlement; it is treated as a separate paid holiday.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Failure to comply with Greece’s paid holiday laws can lead to administrative fines and sanctions imposed by the Greek Labour Inspectorate (SEPE). Fines range from €500 to €50,000, depending on the severity of the violation and company size. Non-compliance is most often flagged in cases involving part-time or temporary staff, where employers fail to grant proper holiday pay.

Employees may file complaints directly with SEPE or pursue claims in labor courts. Employers found in violation can be ordered to pay back wages, compensation, and penalties. To avoid legal risks, employers should maintain accurate payroll and attendance records, verify each employee’s entitlement, and ensure timely payment of holiday wages.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

Public holidays in Greece do not count as part of the normal working week when calculating overtime. Any hours worked on a public holiday are considered extraordinary work, meaning they qualify for premium pay or compensatory rest. Employers must keep records of such hours to remain compliant with labor inspection audits.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Leave entitlements, from public holidays to annual leave and special statutory allowances, vary across Greece depending on sector and regional observances. Managing these differences correctly is essential to avoid disputes, penalties, and unnecessary payroll costs. Playroll ensures your business stays fully compliant by tracking every change in Greek labor law and automatically applying the correct leave entitlements for your team.

With Playroll, you do not have to second-guess whether your employees in Athens or Thessaloniki are receiving the correct holiday pay or time off. Our platform integrates leave compliance directly into payroll, giving you accurate cost forecasting and peace of mind. Partner with Playroll to simplify global leave management and ensure your employees receive exactly what the law requires, every time.