Greece (GR)
Greece is a southeastern European republic and EU member state, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games, celebrated for its 6,000 sun-drenched islands, ancient ruins from the Acropolis to Delphi, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and a warm culture that draws expats, retirees, digital nomads, and Golden Visa investors from across the world.
Social Security in Greece
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Greece's social security system is administered by EFKA (Ενιαίος Φορέας Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης — Unified Social Insurance Fund), also known as e-EFKA in its digital form. EFKA unified several previously separate insurance funds (IKA, OAEE, ETAA, etc.) in 2017. It provides pension, healthcare, sickness, maternity, family, and occupational accident benefits. Access to most benefits requires accumulation of minimum insured days or contribution periods. The AMKA (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης) is the universal social insurance number.
AMKA
Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης (ΑΜΚΑ)
Apply in person at any KEP (Κέντρο Εξυπηρέτησης Πολιτών) or EFKA office. EU/EEA citizens: bring passport or EU ID card. Non-EU citizens: bring passport and valid residence permit. The AMKA is typically issued immediately or within a few days. It is a permanent, lifelong number — do not lose it. It is also used as your healthcare number for accessing EOPYY services.
- Enrolling in the Greek healthcare system (EOPYY)
- Employment (employer must register you with EFKA using your AMKA)
- Tax registration (AFM application requires AMKA)
- Banking (most Greek banks require AMKA)
- Accessing all government and welfare services
- Pharmacies (for prescription dispensing)
- E-prescription and myhealth.gov.gr
- Child benefit applications (OPEKA)
- Naturalisation and citizenship applications
Benefits & Support Payments
State Pension (Main)
Κύρια Σύνταξη ΕΦΚΑ
Monthly pension based on lifetime contributions. Consists of a national component (Εθνική Σύνταξη — flat rate guaranteed to all) and an insurance component (Ανταποδοτική Σύνταξη — proportional to contributions).
Retirement age: 67 (standard) or 62 with 40 years of contributions. Reduced early retirement available at 62 with 35+ years contributions. Disability pension available for permanent incapacity.
Apply via e-EFKA (efka.gov.gr) or at an EFKA regional office. Submit 6 months before desired retirement date. Documents: AMKA, AFM, employment history, identity.
Auxiliary Pension (Επικουρική Σύνταξη)
Επικουρική Σύνταξη ΤΕΚΑ/ΕΦΚΑ
Supplementary pension paid on top of the main state pension. Since 2022, contributions to the new auxiliary pension account (ΤΕΚΑ) are individually managed.
Same retirement age requirements as main pension. ΤΕΚΑ: funded defined-contribution system for workers who joined after January 2022.
Via e-EFKA alongside main pension application.
Unemployment Benefit (Επίδομα Ανεργίας)
Επίδομα Ανεργίας ΔΥΠΑ
Monthly unemployment benefit for involuntarily unemployed persons who have met the minimum contribution requirements.
Minimum 125 insured working days in the 14 months before unemployment. Involuntary unemployment (not voluntary resignation — triggers 12-week blocking period). Must register at DYPA within 30 days of unemployment.
Register online at dypa.gov.gr or at a DYPA office. Monthly online renewal of the unemployed card (κάρτα ανεργίας) required.
Sickness Benefit (Επίδομα Ασθένειας)
Επίδομα Ασθένειας ΕΦΚΑ
Cash benefit during incapacity to work due to illness.
Minimum 100 insured days in the past year. Incapacity certified by a doctor and submitted electronically to EFKA.
Doctor submits electronic sick leave certificate (e-Βεβαίωση) to EFKA. Paid from day 4 onwards (days 1–3: employer's responsibility).
Maternity Benefit
Επίδομα Μητρότητας ΕΦΚΑ
Cash benefit during mandatory maternity leave (8 weeks before + 9 weeks after birth).
Employed women with minimum 200 insured days in the 2 years prior to confinement.
Apply to EFKA via e-EFKA portal or at an EFKA office after the birth certificate is issued.
Minimum Income Guarantee (ΚΕΑ)
Κοινωνικό Εισόδημα Αλληλεγγύης (ΚΕΑ)
Last-resort social assistance for households with no or very low income. Cash benefit + social services support.
Greek citizens and long-term legal residents (5+ years). Household income below the KEA threshold. Asset-tested. Requires active job-seeking through DYPA.
Apply at OPEKA (opeka.gr) or your local KEP.
Child Benefit (Επίδομα Παιδιού — A21)
Επίδομα Παιδιού ΟΠΕΚΑ
Annual payment to families with dependent children, based on family size and income.
Legal residents with dependent children under 18 (or 19 in secondary education).
Apply at opeka.gr using Taxisnet credentials. Annual renewal required.
Contribution Overview
Social contributions in Greece are collected by EFKA. Employee contributions ~13.87% of gross salary; employer contributions ~22.29% of gross salary. Self-employed pay a minimum monthly contribution (€218.80/month in 2026). Contributions fund pension, healthcare, sickness, unemployment, and maternity benefits. The total social contribution burden (employee + employer) is approximately 36% of gross salary — one of the higher rates in the EU, though social security coverage is comprehensive.
International Social Security Agreements
Greece has social security coordination with all EU/EEA member states under EU Regulation 883/2004, which counts contribution periods across member states. Bilateral social security agreements with non-EU countries include: USA, Canada, Australia, India, Libya, Canada, New Zealand, and others. Contact EFKA for the current list of agreement countries and to obtain the appropriate portability forms (A1, E101, etc.).
The AMKA is the essential first step — without it, no social security enrolment is possible. Employer failure to register employees with EFKA or to pay social contributions is a criminal offence and results in back-payment orders with significant interest. If you suspect your employer is not paying your EFKA contributions, check your contribution history at efka.gov.gr or request an extract (Ατομικός Λογαριασμός Ασφάλισης) — this is your legal record. Report violations to SEPE (Labour Inspectorate).
Social Security
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