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Work · Greece
Updated September 2026

📄 I work without a written contract or off the books — what are my rights?

Direct answer

A contract exists the moment you work for someone under their direction for pay — a written document is proof, not a condition. You have the same rights to the minimum wage, holidays, sick pay and notice as anyone. The employer must give you the written terms within a short deadline (EU rule: essentials within a week). Ask for them in writing. Επιθεώρηση Εργασίας (ΣΕΠΕ) — 1555 (1555) inspects undeclared work and the penalties hit the employer, not you; ΓΣΕΕ — ΚΕΠΕΑ / σωματείο (210 8202100) represents you; e-ΕΦΚΑ / ΟΠΕΚΑ — ενστάσεις (1555) can confirm whether you are registered and insured.

Call firstΕπιθεώρηση Εργασίας (ΣΕΠΕ) — 1555
Report toΓΣΕΕ — ΚΕΠΕΑ / σωματείο
If that failse-ΕΦΚΑ / ΟΠΕΚΑ — ενστάσεις

🗣️ What to say

"I have worked for you since [date] as [role], [hours] per week, at [pay]. I have not received a written statement of my terms. Please provide it within 7 days and confirm that I am registered for social security. I also ask for [unpaid wages / holidays] to be paid."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Collect proof of the workMessages, rosters, payslips or cash records, photos at the workplace, colleagues who will confirm.
  2. Ask for the written termsThe employer must provide them. A refusal is itself a breach.
  3. Check your registration: e-ΕΦΚΑ / ΟΠΕΚΑ — ενστάσειςYour online social-security account shows whether contributions were paid. If not, the employer owes them retroactively.
  4. Report to Επιθεώρηση Εργασίας (ΣΕΠΕ) — 1555Inspectorates enforce registration and pay the worker's back contributions from the employer. You can report anonymously.
  5. Claim what you are owed: ΓΣΕΕ — ΚΕΠΕΑ / σωματείοWages, holidays, notice — the labour court accepts proof of work in any form.

📇 All contacts

Επιθεώρηση Εργασίας (ΣΕΠΕ) — 1555Complaint, inspection, labour dispute procedureAs soon as the wages are late📞 1555🔗 www.sepe.gov.gr
ΓΣΕΕ — ΚΕΠΕΑ / σωματείοFree workers' information, representationFor every worker📞 210 8202100🔗 www.kepea.gr
e-ΕΦΚΑ / ΟΠΕΚΑ — ενστάσειςBenefits, clawbacks, objectionsWithin the deadline on the decision📞 1555🔗 www.efka.gov.gr
Μονομελές Πρωτοδικείο — εργατικές διαφορέςContesting dismissal within 3 months, wage claimsWithin 3 months of the dismissal🔗 www.solon.gov.gr

❓ Frequently asked

Will I get in trouble for working off the books?

The obligation to register and pay contributions is the employer's. Workers rarely face penalties, and inspectorates protect those who report.

Am I a freelancer or an employee?

If they set your hours, your tasks and your tools, you are an employee whatever the invoice says. False self-employment is reclassified by courts and inspectorates.

I was hurt at work and I am not registered

Report the accident anyway — accident insurance covers unregistered workers in most countries and recovers the cost from the employer.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “working without contract rights Greece”
  • “employer no written contract”
  • “undeclared work report Greece”
  • “false self employment”
  • “not registered social security employer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

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