Greece is grappling with an unprecedented labor shortage, with an estimated 300,000 job vacancies across key sectors—including construction, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The issue, which first intensified during the pandemic, now threatens to derail major development projects and disrupt the upcoming tourist season. Despite efforts to recruit foreign labor, a growing number of migrant workers are leaving Greece—often illegally—for better opportunities in countries like Italy, Germany, and Spain.

A Bleak Labor Market: 300,000 Vacancies Nationwide

This year’s tourism season is kicking off with 85,000 unfilled positions. Meanwhile, over 100,000 workers are missing from the construction sector, more than 70,000 from agriculture, and at least 50,000 from industrial jobs. Business owners across Greece are increasingly desperate, especially as many shops were forced to close during Easter due to staff shortages.

While the scale of the problem is not new, the dynamics have shifted: workers arriving from non-EU countries now tend to stay only briefly before heading to Western Europe, lured by higher wages and better conditions.

Construction: Short 100,000 Workers and Counting

Construction companies managing projects worth over €20 billion are facing critical staffing gaps. Between 2024 and 2025, they’ll need at least 55,000 additional workers, particularly skilled professionals such as welders, carpenters, plumbers, and heavy machinery operators.

Tourism and Hospitality: 85,000 Positions Unfilled

The tourism industry, a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, is in similar straits. Employers are struggling to find housekeepers, chefs, spa therapists, and front-desk staff. Even tech companies are chasing after highly skilled developers.

So why are many Greeks reluctant to return to seasonal tourism jobs? According to Giorgos Hotzoglou, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Tourism and Food Services, “Applications for rehire are down 10% from last year. Workers are rejecting exhausting hours and poor pay. Many work 15-hour days without breaks, and housekeepers are expected to clean up to 25 rooms per shift.”

While the introduction of digital time-tracking cards and incentives for weekend and night work may offer some protection, the reality is that many prefer jobs with better conditions—like delivery driving or supermarket work.

Foreign Workers: Bureaucracy and Exploitation Drive Exodus

The Greek government approved 89,000 legal work permits for third-country nationals this year. Most applicants come from countries like India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, and Egypt. However, industry insiders argue that this number barely scratches the surface of actual needs—and that many legal workers never make it to Greece.

A hotel owner in Crete, for example, was approved to hire 15 skilled chefs and bartenders—but only two arrived. “Out of the 90,000 approved permits, perhaps 20,000 workers will actually show up,” he says.

The reason? The process takes too long—up to six months for approvals and another month for tax and social security registration. By the time workers are ready, it’s already August and the season is nearly over.

Urgent Reforms Needed

Grigoris Tassios, President of the Halkidiki Hotel Association, highlights the inefficiencies: “We should already be preparing for 2026, not scrambling to staff the 2025 season.” While the creation of a unified national hiring needs registry is a step forward, he insists more must be done—like launching a centralized job platform by October 2025 and increasing staffing in embassies to process visas faster.

Tassios also pointed out the contradiction of training and employing political refugees—only for them to face uncertainty once the season ends. “What will these people do after October?” he asks. “Where will they work, where will they live?”

He also noted that some unskilled foreign workers demand high salaries—sometimes up to €1,200 per month—despite lacking prior experience, perpetuating a cycle of attrition and rehiring during peak periods.

Exploited and Disillusioned: Why Many Leave Greece

A troubling new trend is emerging: many third-country workers flee Greece just days after arrival, heading to other EU countries through networks often organized in their home countries.

One key issue is that many Greek employers fail to provide even basic accommodations and meals. Migrants often pay as much as $15,000 to secure a job in Greece—funded by their entire village, a bank loan, or even loan sharks.

With a net salary of about €500 (after paying for food and rent), many conclude it’s not worth the sacrifice—especially since some can earn €250 back home. As a result, 5 or 6 out of every 10 foreign workers leave the country illegally in search of better prospects.

Even ethical employers struggle. A construction manager said, “We provide shelter, meals, and try to help them integrate into the community. But many arrive with fake documents or lack the certifications needed for their roles. For instance, Vietnamese drivers can’t get their licenses recognized here, even though we legally brought them in for those positions.”

50,000 shortages in the industrial sector

Structural Barriers to Solving the Crisis

Vangelis Kanellopoulos, CEO of WorkInGreece.io—a platform connecting Greek companies with foreign talent—outlined three main obstacles:

Time Delays: It still takes 4 to 6 months to process a work permit. In contrast, countries like Croatia manage it in just 1.5 to 2 months.
High Rejection Rates: Even qualified candidates with the proper paperwork face visa rejection rates of 40% to 80%, deterring applicants and employers alike.
Living Costs and Exploitation: Many migrant workers cover their own travel, lodging, and visa fees, leaving them with less than €500 per month—far below what they could earn elsewhere in Europe.

A Call for Coordinated Reform

“Greece has the potential to become a model for fair and sustainable labor migration,” Kanellopoulos says. “But that requires structural reform and coordinated action from the government, employers, and social partners.”

Without immediate changes, however, Greece risks not only losing vital foreign workers—but also watching its economy stall in critical sectors due to chronic labor shortages.