Best Pension Lawyers in Arta

About Pension Law in Arta, Greece

Pension law in Arta is part of the national Greek social security system, so the same statutes and procedures that apply across Greece also apply in Arta. Pensions are administered primarily by the Unified Social Security Fund known as e-EFKA. Applications are now largely digital, with support available at local e-EFKA branches and Citizen Service Centers known as KEP in Arta.

Greek retirement benefits typically consist of a main pension that has two components and may be complemented by a supplementary pension and a lump-sum benefit if the insured person was covered by the relevant schemes. The main pension includes a national pension financed by the state and a contributory pension based on the person’s insured career and accrual rates. Supplementary pensions and lump-sum benefits depend on the person’s occupational coverage and contributions.

Key reforms over the last decade reorganized the funds that previously covered employees, self-employed persons and farmers into e-EFKA, and updated retirement ages, contribution rules and calculation methods. Because amounts, thresholds and rules are periodically adjusted, it is important to verify current figures before making decisions.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal help if your work history or family situation makes eligibility or calculation complex. Common situations include disputed contribution periods, missing or fragmented records across former funds, recognition of time from military service or studies, early retirement questions for heavy and unhealthy occupations, disability pensions that require assessment by the KEPA medical committees, and survivors pensions when a family member has passed away.

People who worked in more than one EU country or in countries that have social security agreements with Greece often need guidance on how foreign insurance periods are aggregated and how to coordinate claims. Self-employed persons with social security debts may require advice on arranging payments so that retirement can proceed. If e-EFKA issues a decision you believe is incorrect, a lawyer can help with objections and appeals within strict deadlines and can represent you before the competent administrative bodies and courts.

Legal assistance is also valuable when dealing with overpayment claims or pension recalculations, when there are disputes over heavy and unhealthy occupation classifications, when there are errors in personal identifiers such as AMKA or AFM, or when you need to secure retroactive entitlements. A local lawyer in Arta can communicate directly with the branch office and ensure that your application file is complete and properly documented.

Local Laws Overview

Greek pension law is governed by national legislation that applies in Arta. The unification of social security funds under e-EFKA, the structure of the main pension into national and contributory components, and accrual rates for the contributory pension were established and refined by reforms such as Law 4387 of 2016 and Law 4670 of 2020, among others. The general retirement age framework commonly used is 67 with at least 15 years of insurance or 62 with 40 years of contributions. Special regimes exist for heavy and unhealthy occupations, certain categories of public servants and other specific groups, each with additional conditions.

National pension rules require legal residence in Greece for a minimum period for entitlement to the full national pension component, with proportional reductions if the minimum residence years are not met. The national pension amount and the accrual rates for the contributory pension are adjusted from time to time. Supplementary pensions and lump-sum benefits are tied to the insured person’s coverage in the relevant schemes.

Employees and employers pay contributions at rates set by law for main pension coverage, with additional rates for supplementary coverage where applicable. Self-employed persons and farmers make contributions based on contribution classes that are set annually. Debts to e-EFKA can affect retirement. For example, self-employed persons generally must keep debts under statutory thresholds or enter into an approved installment arrangement before a pension can be awarded.

Disability pensions depend on a certified disability percentage determined by KEPA. Different thresholds apply for partial and full disability pensions and for additional allowances. Survivors pensions for spouses, partners and children follow national rules concerning age, duration of marriage or partnership, dependency and sharing among beneficiaries.

EU rules on coordination of social security ensure that periods of insurance completed in other EU and EEA countries and Switzerland can be aggregated with Greek periods to determine eligibility, with each country paying its own share. Greece also has bilateral social security agreements with certain non-EU countries that may allow similar aggregation. Procedural deadlines for objections, administrative appeals and judicial review are strict, so prompt action is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard retirement age in Greece?

The general framework is 67 with at least 15 years of insurance or 62 with 40 years of contributions. Special categories such as heavy and unhealthy occupations may qualify earlier under specific conditions. Because age thresholds can be adjusted by law and depend on your insured history, always verify the current rule that applies to your case.

How is my main pension calculated?

The main pension has two parts. The national pension is a flat amount financed by the state and depends on insured residence in Greece, with reductions if minimum residence is not met. The contributory pension is based on your average insured earnings across your career and statutory accrual rates that increase with years of insurance. The two parts are added together to form the main pension.

Do I also get a supplementary pension or a lump-sum?

You may receive a supplementary pension and possibly a lump-sum if you were insured in the relevant schemes and paid the corresponding contributions. Eligibility depends on your occupational coverage and contributions. Not everyone is covered for supplementary or lump-sum benefits.

Can I retire earlier if I worked in heavy and unhealthy occupations?

Possibly. There is a special regime for heavy and unhealthy occupations with earlier retirement options, provided you meet strict conditions about the number of total days insured and a minimum number of days in heavy and unhealthy work, including recent years. You will need documentation proving the classification of your job and the periods worked.

How do disability pensions work?

Disability pensions require a medical assessment by KEPA. The certified disability percentage determines whether you may receive a full or partial pension and whether additional allowances apply. The number of insured days and the timing of contributions also matter. If you disagree with the KEPA decision, there is a process to request re-evaluation and appeal within short deadlines.

What if I worked in another EU country or in a country with a social security agreement with Greece?

Insurance periods from EU and EEA countries and Switzerland are usually aggregated to help you meet eligibility. Each country pays its share of the pension based on its rules. For countries with bilateral agreements, similar aggregation may apply. You normally apply through e-EFKA, which coordinates with the foreign institution.

Will social security debts prevent me from retiring?

Significant debts can block the award of a pension until you reduce them below legal thresholds or enter into an approved installment plan. Different thresholds may apply to self-employed persons and farmers. A lawyer can help you assess options to settle or restructure debts so that your pension can start.

What documents do I need to apply?

You will typically need identification, AMKA social security number, AFM tax number, proof of residence, a detailed insurance record, employment certificates or payroll records, family status documents for survivors or dependent allowances, military service proof for men where applicable, and banking details for payment. Additional medical documentation is needed for disability cases.

How long does it take to get a decision and from when is the pension paid?

Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the case and workload. Many decisions take several months. If approved, payment is usually backdated to the application date or to the date you met all eligibility conditions, whichever the law provides for your case.

What can I do if e-EFKA rejects my application or the amount seems wrong?

You can file an objection or administrative appeal within the deadlines set by law and then seek judicial review if needed. Because deadlines can be short and the legal arguments technical, consider consulting a lawyer promptly and gather all supporting evidence for your claim.

Additional Resources

e-EFKA - the Unified Social Security Fund administering main, supplementary and related pension benefits. National contact center 1555 for information and appointments. Local branch offices operate in Arta for in-person support.

KEPA - the Center for Disability Certification that conducts medical assessments for disability pensions and allowances. Appointments and re-evaluation requests are coordinated through e-EFKA.

KEP - Citizen Service Centers in Arta can assist with digital submissions, document certifications and scheduling with public bodies.

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs - sets policy and issues circulars that interpret pension legislation applied by e-EFKA.

Hellenic Ombudsman - handles complaints about maladministration by public bodies, including social security matters.

Bar Association of Arta - can help you find licensed lawyers in Arta who handle pension and social security cases.

Next Steps

Start by collecting your documents and insurance history. Obtain or verify your AMKA and AFM numbers, gather employment and contribution records, and note any periods of military service, studies, unemployment or child-raising that might be credited. If you worked abroad, list the countries, dates and any foreign insurance numbers.

Check your eligibility under the current age and contribution rules. If you are close to a threshold, consider whether recognized time such as military service or studies could bridge the gap. If you have social security debts, explore installment arrangements as early as possible so they do not delay your application.

Submit your pension application through the e-EFKA digital services or with assistance from the KEP or the local e-EFKA branch in Arta. Keep copies of everything you file and note the submission date. Monitor the status of your case and respond promptly to any requests for additional documents.

If your situation is complex or if you receive an unfavorable decision, consult a pension lawyer in Arta. Ask about experience with e-EFKA, expected timelines, fees and the strategy for objections or appeals. A lawyer can ensure deadlines are met, evidence is complete and your rights are protected throughout the process.

Pension rules and amounts change periodically. Always confirm the current law and official guidance before making irreversible choices such as resigning from employment or opting for early retirement.