6 Popular Job Options for Expats Moving to Greece

Moving to Greece can be both an exciting and daunting prospect for expatriates who are looking for a fresh start in a new country. Greece has long been a vibrant country in southeastern Europe that is well known for its good weather all year round, with warm summers and mild winters. Since it was accepted into the European Union in 1981, the country has gone from strength to strength, making it a very popular destination for expats.

However, getting a job in Greece is essential if you are thinking about uprooting from your current home and moving to this popular European country. Yet finding employment can be difficult in Greece if you are not fluent in their official language, so you may want to consider learning Greek before you move. The country has also faced economic hardship in recent years, so their job market is not as prosperous as it once was. However, jobs are still available. Here are six popular job options available for expats moving to Greece that you may want to consider.

Language Teacher

This is one of the most obvious job roles that is available for expats in Greece, but it is also one of the most popular. There are many language schools in Greece and learning additional languages is culturally expected in many European countries. Therefore, by getting your TEFL qualification, which stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, you could be hired in a Greek language college or school.

Greek law states that non-Greek teachers must pass a Greek proficiency exam showing their Greek language and history skills before they can teach in the country. Greece does have a reputation as being a difficult country to secure permits to work in, but if you make sure that you have the experience and qualifications to back up your claims then you shouldn’t struggle to find employment as a language teacher.

Cab Driver

Being a taxi cab driver in Greece is a popular job option for many expats as it is a main form of transportation that locals and tourists use to get around every day. Generally, taxis in Greece are yellow vehicles with the illuminated ‘TAXI’ sign on top of the car.

If you are concerned about being a cab driver in Greece because you aren’t familiar with the area or the roads, then working for Uber may be a better option for you. Transportation network company Uber allows you to order and get in a taxi in minutes, but as it is all technology based, their systems have inbuilt satellite navigation systems built in. This means that if you are new to the area, using the sat nav system available should help you to find where you are going.

To get yourself set up as an Uber drive in Greece, you may need to consider taking out one of the Uber driver loans that are offered by Bonsai Finance. You may need money to initially register as an Uber driver as well as to have the money to buy an appropriate car. If you own a nicer car (that, of course, costs more money), then you can become an ‘UberX’ driver and can charge more to the customer. Securing a payday loan is a quick and easy way to pay for any of the start up fees that are associated with becoming an Uber driver in Greece.

Tourist Industry

One of the biggest industries in Greece is its tourist industry, which makes it a great industry to look for employment. Working in the tourist industry is varied, and there are a lot of different job roles, from hotel staff to selling ice creams on the beautiful beaches that Greece has to offer to tourists.

You will find a lot of work is available in the hotel industry as chambermaids and reception staff are needed around the clock to make sure Greek tourists have a good time and are well looked after during their vacation. However, with this line of work, you may find that you have less work during the less popular tourist seasons.

Freelance Work

Working as a freelancer worker in any form of industry is a good career option for an expat in Greece as it gives you the freedom and space to pursue the sort of work you are interested in. From being a translator, to a reporter, a photographer, or a repairman, there are many options for employment when it comes to freelance work.

However, you should keep in mind that working freelance means you aren’t entitled to sick pay, holiday pay, or the other benefits that are provided by working for employers. Also, you should be sure to check the Greek laws surrounding freelance work as you may find that you have to open a self-employed business in your name in order for your deals to be legal.

Embassy Work

Getting a job working for your embassy is a very popular career option for expats as you already have the knowledge from home to help with the role. While it often isn’t the easiest job route as you will have to undergo additional training, as well as probably have to learn Greek, it is a secure job that you can feel safe in (even in Greek’s current time of financial insecurity).

Au Pair

Working in childcare as an au pair in Greece is a very popular job for expats, especially those that have children of their own. In this role you can build lifelong relationships with the children you are caring for, while also developing your own and their language skills.

Au pair roles are very common in Greece, especially in the more affluent areas where parents can afford to pay for the luxury.

Moving to a new country for a fresh start can be a worrying prospect, but by researching what sort of jobs you may be qualified for in Greece and finding out where potential roles are available, you should find some suitable options.