Can I be dismissed without severance?
It depends: on open-ended contracts you're entitled to severance, scaled by seniority. Under Law 4808/2021 (art. 64), severance was fully equalised between white-collar and blue-collar workers (the old separate regime is gone). If the employer dismisses with notice, they pay half the severance; without notice, the full amount immediately. The notice ladder runs from 1 month (12 months–2 years) to 4 months (10+ years). The severance scale (full) runs from 2 months' pay (1–4 years) to 12 months at 16+ years (the cap). Basis: the last monthly gross pay × 1.1666 (for the 14-salary year). No severance is owed for resignation, normal fixed-term expiry or, generally, under 12 months' service.
📋 The rules
- Open-ended, dismissed without fault: severance
- Law 4808/2021: same severance, white- and blue-collar
- With notice: half; without: full
- Scale: 2 months (1–4 years) to 12 (16+ years)
- No severance for resignation or under 12 months
🔓 Exceptions
- Resignation/fixed-term expiry: no severance
- Under 12 months' service: generally no severance
- Pre-2012 long-tenured staff (Law 4093/2012): possible top-up
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Severance is the employee's right in a lawful dismissal without fault. If the employer doesn't pay it, the dismissal can be deemed void, and the employee can claim severance and wages. The basis is the last gross monthly pay × 1.1666; for older long-tenured staff there may be a top-up, but the monthly pay counts only up to a cap. To protect your rights: check whether your contract is open-ended, compute the severance by seniority (2–12 months), see whether the dismissal was with or without notice, and if you don't get the severance, contact the Labour Inspectorate or a lawyer.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4808/2021 (art. 64) — severance pay →
- Labour Inspectorate →
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security →
❓ Frequently asked
Am I entitled to severance if dismissed?
It depends. On open-ended contracts, if you're dismissed without your own fault and have at least 12 months' service, you're entitled to severance scaled by seniority. No severance is owed for resignation, fixed-term expiry or, generally, under 12 months' service.
How much is the severance?
Full severance runs from 2 months' pay (1–4 years' service) to 12 months at 16+ years, which is the cap. The basis is the last gross monthly pay multiplied by 1.1666, to account for the 14th salary.
What does dismissal with notice mean?
If the employer dismisses you with notice, observing the notice period (1 to 4 months by seniority), they pay half the severance. If they dismiss without notice, they owe the full severance immediately.
Is there a different regime for blue-collar workers?
Not anymore. Under Law 4808/2021, severance was fully equalised between white-collar and blue-collar workers. The old separate blue-collar regime was abolished, so the same scale and calculation apply to everyone.
What if I'm not paid severance?
If you're entitled to severance and the employer doesn't pay it, the dismissal can be deemed void and you can claim the amounts. Contact the Labour Inspectorate or a lawyer to check your case and claim the severance and any wages owed.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “severance pay calculation greece 2026”
- “law 4808/2021 severance”
- “dismissal with notice half”
- “severance 12 months 16 years”
- “blue white collar same severance”
- “dismissal no severance resignation”