Welfare · Parental leave — Greece Greek Naturalisation Knowledge Certificate (Π.Ε.Γ.Π.)

Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in Greece

Leave around a birth in Greece is paid in layers. e-EFKA pays the maternity benefit for the weeks around the birth. The employment service DYPA pays a special maternity leave, a top-up to full pay and the paid part of parental leave. Most benefits are for employees with enough insured days, and several are linked to the minimum wage (€920 a month from 1 April 2026).

Maternity leave and benefit

Maternity benefit (επίδομα μητρότητας): 119 days in total, 56 days before and 63 days after the birth. It is paid by e-EFKA to insured employees who stop work.
Condition: at least 200 days of insurance in the 2 years before the birth. Non-Greek mothers (EU citizens and third-country nationals) must live legally and permanently in Greece.
Apply online with e-EFKA within 8 months of the birth.
Top-up (συμπληρωματική παροχή μητρότητας): DYPA pays a one-off top-up. It covers the difference between the e-EFKA benefit and the pay you would have earned. You need at least 10 days of actual work with your employer before the leave, and you apply within 3 months of receiving the e-EFKA benefit.

Special maternity protection leave

After maternity leave, employed mothers can take a special maternity protection leave (ειδική άδεια προστασίας της μητρότητας) of up to 9 months.
DYPA pays a monthly benefit equal to the minimum wage, with a share of the holiday bonuses. It is half that amount if you worked part-time for up to 4 hours a day or 13 days a month on average. You stay insured for pension and health while on leave.
You must still be employed, and you apply to DYPA within 60 days of the start of the leave.
The mother can transfer up to 7 months of this leave and benefit to the father if he is an employee. The official register notes that these rules are being revised, so check DYPA before you plan.

Paternity and parental leave

Paternity leave: employed fathers have 14 working days of paid paternity leave at the birth (Law 4808/2021).
Parental leave (γονική άδεια): each working parent can take up to 4 months until the child turns 8. You need 1 year with the same employer. Your employer records the leave in the ERGANI system (form Ε.14).
Parental leave benefit: DYPA pays the first 2 months at the level of the minimum wage, plus a share of the bonuses, after each month of leave.
Contribution relief: women who have a child pay 50% less of the employee's social insurance contribution for one year.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

The 200-day insurance condition counts only declared work. Undeclared or partly declared work can leave you without maternity pay.
Deadlines differ by benefit: 8 months for the e-EFKA benefit, 60 days for the special leave, 3 months for the top-up. Keep a calendar.
Self-employed people and public-sector staff have different rules. Ask your insurer or your employer's HR office.

Official guidance: Mitos: maternity benefit, Mitos: special maternity protection, Mitos: parental leave benefit, Mitos: paternity leave, Ministry of Labour: minimum wage, e-EFKA

Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in Greece

Maternity leave and benefit

Maternity benefit (επίδομα μητρότητας): 119 days in total, 56 days before and 63 days after the birth. It is paid by e-EFKA to insured employees who stop work.

Condition: at least 200 days of insurance in the 2 years before the birth. Non-Greek mothers (EU citizens and third-country nationals) must live legally and permanently in Greece.

Apply online with e-EFKA within 8 months of the birth.

Top-up (συμπληρωματική παροχή μητρότητας): DYPA pays a one-off top-up. It covers the difference between the e-EFKA benefit and the pay you would have earned. You need at least 10 days of actual work with your employer before the leave, and you apply within 3 months of receiving the e-EFKA benefit.

Special maternity protection leave

After maternity leave, employed mothers can take a special maternity protection leave (ειδική άδεια προστασίας της μητρότητας) of up to 9 months.

DYPA pays a monthly benefit equal to the minimum wage, with a share of the holiday bonuses. It is half that amount if you worked part-time for up to 4 hours a day or 13 days a month on average. You stay insured for pension and health while on leave.

You must still be employed, and you apply to DYPA within 60 days of the start of the leave.

The mother can transfer up to 7 months of this leave and benefit to the father if he is an employee. The official register notes that these rules are being revised, so check DYPA before you plan.

Paternity and parental leave

Paternity leave: employed fathers have 14 working days of paid paternity leave at the birth (Law 4808/2021).

Parental leave (γονική άδεια): each working parent can take up to 4 months until the child turns 8. You need 1 year with the same employer. Your employer records the leave in the ERGANI system (form Ε.14).

Parental leave benefit: DYPA pays the first 2 months at the level of the minimum wage, plus a share of the bonuses, after each month of leave.

Contribution relief: women who have a child pay 50% less of the employee's social insurance contribution for one year.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

The 200-day insurance condition counts only declared work. Undeclared or partly declared work can leave you without maternity pay.

Deadlines differ by benefit: 8 months for the e-EFKA benefit, 60 days for the special leave, 3 months for the top-up. Keep a calendar.

Self-employed people and public-sector staff have different rules. Ask your insurer or your employer's HR office.