Wishing to know the salary of Caregivers In Greece and other additional benefits? Greece is a country that deeply values family, and because of that, caregivers often step into roles that go far beyond just work, they become trusted hands in the home. Whether it’s helping an elderly yiayia (grandmother), supporting someone with long-term illness, or just being there for daily tasks, caregivers in Greece do a lot behind the scenes.
When it comes to how much they earn, the answer isn’t straightforward. The average salary for a caregiver in Greece ranges from €810 to €1000 per month and is often influenced by the economy. Some work full-time and live with the family, getting food, shelter, and a set monthly wage. Others are hired by agencies or hospitals, with structured hours and official contracts. And then there are those working informally and are paid in cash, often without fixed schedules.
Wages can be modest, especially for live-in roles or unregulated jobs, but the experience, location, and even language skills of a caregiver can make a big difference. Caregivers in cities like Athens or Thessaloniki may earn more than those in small islands or rural towns.
At the end of the day, the caregiver job in Greece blends practical support with emotional labor. And while the pay varies, the role remains vital in many Greek households.
How much is Caregiver Earnings in Greece?
Here’s a breakdown of how much caregivers usually make in Greece, depending on factors like job type, location, and experience:
1. Live-In Caregiver: Approximately €400–€700 per month in cash Including free room, meals, and utilities. Although long hours are common, but pay is complemented by living support
2. Part-Time or Live-Out Caregiver: Approximately €4–€7 per hour. For a full-time worker earn150–200 per hour, this can total €600–€1,200 per month. Daytime roles pay less than overnight or weekend hours
3. Agency-Hired or Formal Contracts: Through reputable home-care agencies, caregiver earn €5–€8 per hour. Monthly earnings range from €800 to €1,200, depending on hours and shift types Including basic protections like contracts and social security
4. Specialized or Medical Caregiver Roles: Caring for someone with high-dependency needs e.g. dementia or post-surgery care can raise earnings to €6–€9/hour, or €1,000–€1,500 monthly, especially in urban areas like Athens or Thessaloniki
See Also: Visa Sponsorship jobs in Greece for foreigners
What Really Affects How Much a Caregiver Makes in Greece?
1. Live-In or Live-Out: Caregivers who live in their employer’s home usually get free meals and accommodation, but their cash pay might be lower since room and board is considered part of the deal. On the flip side, live-out caregivers often earn more money but cover their own expenses.
2. Type of Person Being Cared For: Caring for an elderly person who needs help with basic tasks is different from supporting someone with advanced medical needs like dementia or paralysis. The more demanding the job, the higher the pay tends to be especially if the caregiver has some health care background.
3. Location: If you’re working in busy areas like Athens or Thessaloniki, where the cost of living is higher, chances are the pay will be better compared to quiet villages or small towns. Urban families may also have more financial means to offer higher salaries.
4. Nationality and Legal Status: Let’s be honest local Greek caregivers or foreigners with proper documentation usually get better deals. Those working without papers might settle for lower pay just to avoid legal trouble or job loss.
5. Language Skills: Being able to speak Greek even just the basics is a big plus. It makes communication smoother with the patient and family, and employers are more willing to pay well when there’s less of a language gap.
6. Experience and Trust Level: If you’ve been a caregiver for years and have built a good track record, you’re in a stronger position to negotiate a better salary. Families feel safer leaving loved ones with someone they can trust and that kind of peace of mind is worth extra.
7. Job Scope and Workload: Some caregivers only assist with meals and companionship, while others handle everything from bathing and lifting to managing medications and house chores. The more hats you wear, the more you should earn though that doesn’t always happen, unfortunately.
8. Whether It’s Through an Agency or Direct Hire: Caregivers hired through private agencies sometimes get consistent jobs and guaranteed pay but agencies usually take a cut. On the other hand, working directly for a family might offer higher pay but less stability.
Challenges Faced by Caregivers Living in Greece
1. Long Working Hours: Many caregivers especially those who live with the families they work for find themselves working almost non-stop, often without official rest days or overtime pay.
2. Low Pay for High Effort: Despite the physical and emotional demands of caregiving, salaries can be modest, especially for migrant workers or those working informally without contracts.
3. Language and Communication Barriers: For non-Greek caregivers, not speaking the local language can be a big hurdle. It affects everything from daily communication to understanding medical instructions.
4. Lack of Job Security: Informal caregiving jobs are common, and many come with no contract, no social insurance, and no legal protection making caregivers vulnerable to sudden dismissal.
5. Physical and Emotional Burnout: Caregiving isn’t just physically exhausting it’s emotionally intense too. Many caregivers experience stress, isolation, and fatigue, especially when dealing with serious health cases.
6. Limited Career Progression: Caregivers in Greece often feel stuck in their roles, with few opportunities for formal training, promotion, or moving up into better-paying healthcare jobs.
7. Cultural Adjustment: For foreign caregivers, adjusting to Greek customs, food, and family dynamics can take time and sometimes leads to misunderstandings or even conflict.
8. Poor Access to Healthcare for Themselves: While caregivers look after others, their own access to affordable medical care is often limited, especially if they’re undocumented or uninsured.
Reward of Being a Caregiver in Greece
1. Warm Family-Oriented Culture: Greek households are known for their hospitality. Many caregivers especially live-ins become part of the family. You’ll often be included in meals, celebrations, and day-to-day life, which makes the work feel a little more human and less transactional.
2. Free Meals and Accommodation: One major plus of being a live-in caregiver is that your food and housing are usually covered. This means fewer personal expenses and a chance to save more from your salary.
3. Greece Is Simply Beautiful: Let’s be real if you’re going to work hard, it helps to do it in a country with stunning beaches, scenic villages, and sunny skies. Even if you don’t get to explore much, the calm and beauty of your surroundings can really help with stress.
4. Informal but Supportive Work Style: Greek families tend to be relaxed in structure. While the workload might be heavy, many employers are kind and flexible, offering moral support or occasional days off when needed.
5. Opportunities for Longer-Term Stay: Some caregiving roles in Greece come with the potential for visa sponsorship or legal residency paths especially if the family depends on you long-term and appreciates your work.
6. Simple Living Costs: Outside of big cities like Athens, Greece is relatively affordable. If your job provides accommodation, you can live simply and stretch your money further, even on a modest income.
7. Chance to Learn a New Language: Working closely with a Greek family naturally helps you pick up the language. Over time, this can open more doors to better-paying jobs or even a smoother path to permanent residency.
8. Emotional Fulfillment: Caregiving isn’t just about pay rather it’s about purpose. Being someone’s daily source of comfort, company, or even survival brings deep emotional satisfaction that few other jobs offer.
Conclusion
Being a caregiver in Greece is not a small task. It’s a job that requires heart, patience, and a whole lot of resilience. While the pay can be modest especially in informal setups the value of the work is priceless. Many caregivers become more than just helpers; they become part of the family, holding everything together behind the scenes.
Still, it’s important to keep in mind the realities which is the pay depends on where you work, who you work for, and whether the job is formal or not. And beyond the numbers, the real reward often comes in the connections built, the lives touched, and the quiet impact made every single day.
If you’re considering working as a caregiver in Greece, just know that it may not always be easy, but it’s a role that truly matters.
Frequently Asked Questions On Caregiver Salaries in Greece
1. How much do caregivers typically earn in Greece?
Wages vary depending on location, experience, and job type. On average, live-in caregivers earn between €500 and €800 per month, with some earning more if they work with wealthier families or have formal training.
2. Are caregivers in Greece entitled to any employment benefits?
That depends on whether the job is formal or informal. In formal arrangements, caregivers might get social security, health insurance, or days off. In informal roles, perks often come as free meals and accommodation rather than official benefits.
3. Do I need a certificate to work as a caregiver in Greece?
Not always. Many families hire based on trust, personality, and prior experience. However, having basic caregiving training or first aid certification can give you an edge especially in cities or when applying through an agency.
4. Is it easy to find caregiver work in Greece as a foreigner?
It’s possible, especially if you already live in the country or know someone who can refer you. Some families prefer caregivers who speak Greek, but many are open to English-speaking workers, especially in expat communities or for elderly care.
5. Can I get a visa or work permit through a caregiver job in Greece?
Legal pathways are tricky but not impossible. Some employers help with paperwork if you become essential to their household. Agencies may also assist with legal placements. But many foreign caregivers still work informally.
6. Are weekends or days off common for caregivers in Greece?
Live-in caregivers often have limited time off, especially if they’re caring for elderly individuals. However, it really depends on the family. Some offer regular breaks, others may only offer a few hours per week. Always clarify this upfront.
7. Do caregivers have to do household chores too?
In many cases, yes. Especially in smaller households, caregiving is combined with tasks like cleaning, cooking, or laundry. The more duties you take on, the more you can potentially negotiate in terms of pay.
8. What’s the difference in pay between rural and city caregiving jobs?
Caregivers in Athens, Thessaloniki, or tourist-heavy islands usually earn more due to higher demand and cost of living. In rural areas, pay is lower, and jobs are more likely to be informal or based on word of mouth.
Related Post
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Portugal
- Average Salary of a Caregiver in Bulgaria
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Tajikistan
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Sweden
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Czech Republic
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver in Honduras
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Cuba
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
- Average Salary of A Caregiver in Nicaragua
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Ghana
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver in Mozambique
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Malaysia
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver Living In Angola
- Average Salary Of A Caregiver In Poland
