Best Wage & Hour Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Wage & Hour Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Wage and hour rules in Vouliagmeni are governed primarily by national Greek labor law and European Union standards, with enforcement carried out by authorities based in Attica. Vouliagmeni has a strong hospitality and tourism economy, which means many workers are employed in hotels, restaurants, beach facilities, retail, marinas, and seasonal services. The basics still apply to all sectors, including standard weekly hours, overtime limits and pay premiums, night and Sunday work rules, paid leave, and requirements to record working time. Employers must register schedules and changes in the national ERGANI system, and in many sectors must use the Digital Work Card to track real time attendance.

This guide gives an accessible overview for employees and employers in Vouliagmeni. It is general information, not legal advice. Specific situations can differ based on contracts, collective agreements, and the most recent legislative changes.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a wage and hour lawyer if you have unpaid wages or overtime, if your schedule or hours are not being recorded correctly, or if you are asked to work off the clock. Lawyers often assist seasonal workers in tourism and hospitality with issues like fixed term contracts, split shifts, Sunday and night premiums, and tip policies. They also help when an individual is treated as an independent contractor while working like an employee, when a worker is terminated after asserting pay rights, or when an employer fails to register hours in ERGANI or the Digital Work Card system.

Employers may seek legal help to design compliant schedules, implement the Digital Work Card, manage part time and seasonal staffing, calculate premiums, apply collective agreements, or handle inspections by the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. Early legal guidance can prevent costly penalties and disputes.

Local Laws Overview

Governing sources. Greek labor statutes, EU directives on working time, collective labor agreements, and ministerial decisions set the rules that apply in Vouliagmeni. Enforcement is carried out by the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate through regional directorates in Attica. Many obligations are administered via the national ERGANI II platform and the Digital Work Card.

Standard working time. The legal working week is generally 40 hours. On a five day schedule that usually means 8 hours per day. Some sectors can operate a six day schedule where allowed. Work beyond the contractual daily or weekly hours is regulated and attracts premiums.

Overwork and overtime. Greek law distinguishes between overwork and overtime. Overwork refers to hours beyond your contractual hours up to the legal weekly limit and is typically paid with a premium over the ordinary hourly wage. Overtime refers to work beyond the legal daily or weekly limits, is subject to annual caps, and is paid with higher premiums. Overtime normally must be recorded in advance in ERGANI and in many cases requires prior notification or authorization. Exceeding legal limits can trigger increased premiums and administrative penalties. There is also a hard ceiling on daily working time to protect health and safety.

Night, Sunday, and holiday work. Night work is typically work performed between 22:00 and 06:00 and attracts a premium. Sunday and public holiday work is restricted except in sectors like tourism and hospitality where Sunday trading is permitted, and it is usually paid with a higher premium. If you work on a public holiday you may be entitled to compensatory rest as well as premium pay depending on the circumstances.

Breaks and rest. If daily working time exceeds a set threshold, employees are entitled to a break during the shift. Workers must also receive at least 11 consecutive hours of daily rest and a weekly rest period, consistent with EU rules.

Annual leave and public holidays. Employees receive paid annual leave that increases with length of service and depends on whether they work a five day or six day schedule. There are also national public holidays when special rules apply. Annual leave accrues pro rata in the first year and should be scheduled with the employer while respecting operational needs and the law.

Part time and variable hours. Part time arrangements must be in writing and registered. Additional hours for part time workers are regulated and generally require the employee’s consent and a premium. On call arrangements, split shifts, and standby time have specific rules and must be recorded.

Seasonal and fixed term contracts. Hospitality and tourism in Vouliagmeni often use fixed term or seasonal contracts. These must have a genuine objective reason and be registered. Early termination, renewal, and end of season rights are regulated. Seasonal workers are entitled to pay, premiums, and leave proportional to their service, and may be covered by sectoral collective agreements.

Tips and service charges. Tips that are pooled or distributed by the employer should be handled transparently and may be considered part of remuneration for reporting and taxation. If tips are processed through payroll or shared according to house rules, the policy should be clear and consistent with any collective agreement or company agreement.

Telework and flexible work. Telework is permitted subject to written terms that address hours, availability, the right to disconnect, costs, and health and safety. Flexible scheduling tools must still respect working time limits and recording obligations.

Registration and records. Employers must register employment terms, schedules, overtime, and changes in ERGANI II, and where applicable use the Digital Work Card to capture actual start and end times. Employees should receive itemized payslips with base pay, premiums, deductions, and leave. Failure to register or to use the Digital Work Card when required can result in fines and can support employee claims for unpaid hours.

Wage payment. Wages are typically paid monthly for salaried staff and at regular intervals for wage earners, via bank transfer. Employers must withhold and remit social insurance contributions and taxes, and maintain accurate payroll records.

Non discrimination and retaliation. Employees have the right to raise wage and hour concerns. Retaliation for asserting lawful rights, reporting violations, or cooperating with inspections is prohibited.

Deadlines. Wage claims are subject to limitation periods under Greek law. Do not delay in seeking advice because waiting can limit your recovery of back pay and premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal working week in Greece and how does it apply in Vouliagmeni

The standard legal working week is 40 hours in Greece, including in Vouliagmeni. Many businesses operate on a five day schedule of 8 hours per day. Some sectors operate a six day schedule where permitted. Collective agreements or company policies can specify different daily distributions as long as weekly limits and rest periods are respected.

How is overtime paid

Greek law distinguishes between overwork and overtime. Overwork is the extra time beyond your contractual hours up to the legal weekly limit and is paid with a premium over your normal hourly rate. Overtime is the time beyond legal daily or weekly limits, is subject to annual caps, and carries higher premiums. Overtime normally must be reported in ERGANI before it is performed. If an employer exceeds caps or fails to register overtime, additional penalties and increased premium obligations can apply.

Do I get extra pay for night or Sunday work in hospitality

Usually yes. Night work between 22:00 and 06:00 attracts a night premium. Sunday and public holiday work in tourism and hospitality is generally permitted but paid with a higher premium, and compensatory rest may be due. Always check your contract and any applicable sectoral collective agreement for the exact percentages.

What is the current minimum wage

Greece sets a national statutory minimum wage that can change, often annually. Different daily rates can apply to certain categories of workers. Because rates are updated, always check the latest announcement from the Ministry of Labor or consult a local lawyer or the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate for the current figures.

My employer does not register my real hours in ERGANI or the Digital Work Card. What can I do

You should keep your own detailed records of start and end times, breaks, and any schedule changes, including photos of posted schedules or messages assigning hours. Ask in writing for corrections. You can report discrepancies to the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate in Attica. Failure to register actual hours can shift the burden of proof in your favor in a dispute and can lead to fines for the employer.

I am a seasonal hotel worker on a fixed term contract. Do I have the same rights

Yes. Seasonal and fixed term workers are entitled to the same base protections as permanent staff, including lawful working time, premiums, paid leave pro rata, and proper registration. Fixed terms must be genuine and registered. End of season issues like renewal or non renewal must follow legal rules and any applicable collective agreement for hotels and tourism.

Can my employer change my schedule or keep me longer at short notice

Employers must respect agreed schedules, rest periods, and recording duties. Changes normally must be registered in ERGANI before they take effect, including overtime. Short notice changes that cause you to exceed limits or reduce legal rest can be unlawful. Emergencies can allow limited flexibility, but they still require proper registration and premium pay.

What breaks and rest periods am I entitled to

If you work more than a set number of hours in a day you are entitled to a break during your shift, typically not less than 15 minutes for longer shifts. You also must receive at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between shifts and weekly rest consistent with EU standards. These rules apply regardless of how busy the season is.

How do I claim unpaid wages or overtime and how long do I have

Start by writing to your employer with a clear request and your evidence. You can also seek help from the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, which can perform inspections or facilitate compliance. If needed, a lawyer can file a claim in court for unpaid wages, premiums, and penalties. Wage claims are subject to limitation periods under Greek law, so take action promptly to avoid losing part of your claim.

I am paid as an independent contractor but work like an employee. What are my options

If you work under direction, on set schedules, using the employer’s tools, and you are integrated into the business, you may be an employee in substance. Misclassification can be challenged. If reclassified, you can claim employee protections like minimum wage, overtime, leave, and social insurance contributions. Speak with a lawyer and consider reporting the situation to the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. The national authority that inspects and enforces wage and hour rules. The Regional Directorate of Attica covers Vouliagmeni and surrounding areas.

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Publishes minimum wage decisions, working time rules, and guidance on ERGANI II and the Digital Work Card.

ERGANI II and the Digital Work Card helpdesk. Provides technical support to employers and employees on schedule registration and real time attendance.

Single Citizen Service Line 1555. National hotline for labor, social insurance, and employment questions, including wage complaints and inspectorate referrals.

EFKA. The social insurance institution for contribution records and benefits linked to employment.

DYPA. The public employment service that can advise on seasonal work rights and unemployment benefits between seasons.

OMED. The Organization for Mediation and Arbitration that handles collective disputes and provides information on collective agreements.

GSEE Labor Rights Centers in Attica. Worker support and advice on wage and hour issues, particularly for hospitality and retail.

Athens Bar Association. Lawyer referral and professional standards for attorneys who practice labor law in the greater Athens and Attica region.

Citizen Service Centers KEP. Assistance points for submitting applications and accessing government services related to employment documentation.

Next Steps

Collect evidence. Keep copies of your contract, any collective agreement that applies, posted or digital schedules, ERGANI entries if available, payslips, bank statements showing wage payments, and your own log of hours worked. Save messages assigning shifts or asking you to stay late.

Assess your status. Confirm whether you are full time, part time, fixed term, or seasonal, and whether you are covered by a sectoral collective agreement for hotels, tourism, or retail. This affects the premiums and leave you are owed.

Raise the issue internally. Write to your employer or HR describing the discrepancy and what you are requesting, for example registration of overtime, payment of Sunday premiums, or correction of the schedule in ERGANI. Keep the message professional and save a copy.

Seek outside help. Contact the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate for guidance or to request an inspection. Call the 1555 line for information on your options. If you are unionized, speak with your union representative.

Consult a lawyer. A local wage and hour lawyer in Attica can review your documents, calculate what you are owed, advise on deadlines, and represent you in negotiations or court. Ask about fees and whether a contingency or capped fee is available for wage claims.

Protect yourself. Do not ignore limitation periods for wage claims. Continue keeping detailed records. Avoid signing settlements or contract changes you do not understand. If you feel pressured, seek legal advice before agreeing.

Follow through. Many disputes resolve after a formal demand or an inspectorate visit. If not, your lawyer can file a claim for unpaid wages, overtime premiums, Sunday and night differentials, holiday pay, and any applicable penalties or interest.

This guide is general information. For advice tailored to your circumstances in Vouliagmeni, consult a qualified labor lawyer in Attica.