Greece - Maternity/Paternity Benefits
This chapter includes all you need to know about maternity and paternity benefits in Greece.
Periods of insurance completed in a Member State of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can be counted as insurance periods in Greece even if there is no legislative provision for this.
Here you will find information on the following:
- Maternity leave (ΆΔΕΙΑ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ)
- Maternity benefit (pregnancy-postpartum period) (ΕΠΊΔΟΜΑ ΚΥΟΦΟΡΊΑΣ–ΛΟΧΕΊΑΣ)
- Supplementary maternity allowance (ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΈΣ ΠΑΡΟΧΈΣ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ)
- Special maternity leave and special maternity protection benefit (ΕΙΔΙΚΉ ΠΑΡΟΧΉ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑΣ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ)
- Child Care Leave (ΑΔΕΙΑ ΦΡΟΝΤΙΔΑΣ ΤΕΚΝΟΥ)
- Paternity leave (ΆΔΕΙΑ ΠΑΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ)
In what situation can I claim?
There are different forms of support provided to mothers in Greece. All benefits - in kind and in cash - are contributory, which means they are provided to insured persons.
- Maternity leave (ΆΔΕΙΑ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): working mothers directly insured.
- Maternity benefits (pregnancy-postpartum) (ΕΠΊΔΟΜΑ ΚΥΟΦΟΡΊΑΣ–ΛΟΧΕΊΑΣ): working mothers, directly insured and entitled to maternity leave, during which time they receive maternity benefits.
- Supplementary maternity allowance (ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΈΣ ΠΑΡΟΧΈΣ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): working mothers who are qualified for the Maternity benefit.
- Special maternity leave and special maternity protection benefit (ΕΙΔΙΚΉ ΠΑΡΟΧΉ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑΣ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): optional leave to mothers who have exhausted the regular maternity leave period and possibly the approximately 3.5 months of reduced working hours if taken in one single block (parents are entitled to work one hour less per day for up to 30 months after Maternity leave and, with the employer’s agreement, have the possibility to convert this reduced working time into a block or blocks of time within the 30-month period after Maternity leave).
- Child Care Leave (ΑΔΕΙΑ ΦΡΟΝΤΙΔΑΣ ΤΕΚΝΟΥ): one of the two working parents is entitled to reduced working hours for the 30 or 18 months following childbirth or adoption or sponsoring of a child.
- Paternity leave (ΆΔΕΙΑ ΠΑΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): for fathers due to childbirth.
What conditions do I need to meet?
- Maternity leave: you must have given birth and be employed.
- Maternity benefit (pregnancy-postpartum): you must have accumulated at least 200 days of insurance in the last two years preceding the expected or actual date of delivery.
Furthermore, this benefit is paid on the condition that you will not be working during the 56 days prior to the expected date of delivery, and the 63 days following the birth of the child (i.e. the 119 days of maternity leave).
- Supplementary maternity allowance (ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΈΣ ΠΑΡΟΧΈΣ ΜΗΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): you must be qualified for the Maternity benefit and have a valid working contract.
- Special maternity leave - special maternity protection benefit: you must have a valid working contract and have benefited from the maternity leave and possibly the approximately 3.5 months of reduced working hours if taken in one single block.
- Child Care Leave (ΑΔΕΙΑ ΦΡΟΝΤΙΔΑΣ ΤΕΚΝΟΥ): you must be working in the private sector.
- Paternity leave (ΆΔΕΙΑ ΠΑΤΡΌΤΗΤΑΣ): you must be working in the private sector.
What am I entitled to and how can I claim?
|
Benefit |
Duration of benefit |
Amount of benefit |
|
Maternity leave |
119 days (56 days before delivery and 63 days following delivery) |
By the employer: earnings of 15 days (if employed from 10 days to 1 year) or earnings up to 1 month (if employed more than a year) |
|
Maternity benefit |
during maternity leave |
By e-EFKA: 50% of the standard wage corresponding to the insurance contribution class of the insured person, plus the child benefit at a rate of 10% of the above amount for each child. Minimum amount: 2/3 of earnings. |
|
Special maternity leave |
Follows the maternity leave and up to 9 months (of which up to 7 months can be transferred from the mother to the father under conditions). |
Amount equal to the special maternity protection benefit (i.e. statutory minimum pay), plus the proportion of holiday benefits and leave benefits corresponding to the minimum wage. For women working part-time for up to four hours per day or up to 13 days per month on average during the six months before their pregnancy leave, the amount paid is half the one mentioned above. |
|
Special maternity protection benefit |
During special maternity leave |
Amount equal to the statutory minimum pay |
|
Supplementary maternity allowance |
For as long the maternity benefit is paid (119 days) |
Amount equal to the difference (if any) between the wage paid by the employer and the Maternity benefit |
|
Child Care Leave |
30 months after birth or adoption (reduced working hours by 1 hour) or 18 months (2 less working hours in the first 12 months and 1 less working hour in the remaining 6 months) or equal paid leave taken all at once in agreement with the employer (approximately 3.5 months) |
Full wage by the employer |
|
Paternity leave |
2 days |
Full wage by the employer |
Maternity benefits are as a rule subject to tax, except benefits granted by DYPA.
- Maternity benefit: you must apply to e-EFKA of your place of residence, to which you must submit specific supporting documents.
- Supplementary maternity allowance: you must apply to Public Employment Service (DYPA) of the place where the branch of e-EFKA from which you have received the maternity allowance is located.
- Special maternity protection benefit: you must apply to Public Employment Service (DYPA) of your place of residence.
- Child Care Leave: at your employer.
- Paternity leave: at your employer.
Jargon busters
- Contributory benefits: benefits based on the insured person's contributions.
Forms you may need to fill in
- Application for the supplementary maternity allowance and the special maternity protection benefit
- Employer's certificate for the supplementary maternity allowance and the special maternity protection benefit
Both can be found at https://www.dypa.gov.gr/prostasia-tis-erghazomenis-miteras and at https://www.dypa.gov.gr/faq
Know your rights
The link below provides a legal definition of your rights. It is not a European Commission website, nor does it represent the views of the Commission:
- The Greek Ombudsman (ΣΥΝΉΓΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΊΤΗ) examines cases involving the protection of private-sector employees during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and during parental leave.
Publications and websites of the European Commission:
- Social insurance scheme: your rights abroad as a citizen of the EU
- Family benefits when moving within the EU
Who do you need to contact?
e-National Social Security Fund (e-EFKA)
General Directorate for Benefits and Health
28ης Οκτωβρίου 54 (Πατησίων)/54, 28 Octovriou Ave (Patision)
10682 Αθήνα/Athens
ΕΛΛΑΔΑ/GREECE
E-mail:gd.paroxon@efka.gov.gr
Website: http://www.efka.gov.gr
Public Employment Service (DYPA)
Directorate of Insurance & Social Policies
Department of EU Regulations and Conventions
Εθνικής Αντίστασης 8/Ethnikis Antistasis 8
174 56 Άλιμος/Alimos
ΕΛΛΑΔΑ/GREECE
Website: https://www.dypa.gov.gr/
1555 – Number for Citizens ‘communication and service on insurance, labour and social issues www.1555.gov.gr