Pensions in Greece (σύνταξη γήρατος)

The public pension is run by the single social insurance fund e-EFKA. It is a pay-as-you-go system under Law 4387/2016 and has two parts. The national pension (εθνική σύνταξη) is paid from the state budget. The contributory pension (ανταποδοτική σύνταξη) depends on the earnings you paid contributions on (counted from 2002), your years of insurance and the accrual rates. A compulsory auxiliary pension is added on top. Voluntary occupational funds form a further pillar.

Contributions and pension age

• Contributions (2026): for private-sector employees the main-pension contribution is 20% of gross pay: 6.67% from you and 13.33% from your employer. It is charged on pay up to €7,761.94 a month, the ceiling since 1 January 2026.
• Full old-age pension: at least 15 years of insurance (4,500 days) and age 67.
• Reduced pension: from age 62 with 15 years of insurance. Private-sector employees also need recent insurance.
• Long career: 40 years of insurance (12,000 days) and age 62 give a full pension.
• National pension: the full amount is €436.40 a month (since 1 January 2025). You get it in full with at least 20 years of insurance and 40 years of residence in Greece; otherwise you get less.
• Annual support: from 2025, e-EFKA pensioners aged 65 or over receive €250 a year if family income is no more than €14,000 (single) or €26,000 (married) and property limits are met.

Auxiliary and occupational pensions

• Auxiliary pension (επικουρική σύνταξη): compulsory for all employees in the public and private sectors. It is paid by the auxiliary branch of e-EFKA or by TEKA (Ταμείο Επικουρικής Κεφαλαιοποιητικής Ασφάλισης). TEKA is a funded scheme of defined contributions (Law 4826/2021). An auxiliary old-age pension needs at least 15 years of insurance.
• Occupational funds (ΤΕΑ): voluntary, funded schemes set up by employers or professions (Law 3029/2002).

Pensions across borders

• EU coordination: within the EU, EEA and Switzerland, your insurance periods in each country count towards the minimum periods. Each country pays its own part of your pension.
• Bilateral agreements: Greece has 15 bilateral social security agreements. The 12 standard ones cover Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, the USA, Uruguay, Venezuela (signed but not applied in practice), Canada, Quebec, Australia, Serbia, Egypt and Moldova. Three special agreements (Libya, Syria, Ontario) cover narrower matters. The standard agreements give equal treatment, add insurance periods together and allow pensions to be paid abroad.
• For countries outside the EU rules and these agreements, your Greek pension depends only on your Greek insurance record.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• The full national pension needs 40 years of residence in Greece. People who arrive as adults usually receive a reduced amount.
• Gaps in insured work lower both the contributory pension and the national pension. Check your record (insured days) online with e-EFKA every year.
• Undeclared work earns no pension. Make sure your employer reports your days and pay.
• If you worked in a country with no agreement, those years do not count in Greece. Ask that country's pension authority about your rights.

Official guidance: Ministry of Labour: main pension, Ministry of Labour: auxiliary pension, Ministry of Labour: contributions, Bilateral agreements, Occupational pensions, e-EFKA