Greek authorities are stepping up efforts to tackle undeclared work, focusing on industries where labor law violations are most common. Targeted inspections are planned to ensure workers are properly registered and employed under legal terms.
Sectors Under Scrutiny
The inspections will prioritize sectors historically linked to undeclared employment. These include:
- Food service and hospitality
- Industrial parks and manufacturing zones
- Hair salons and personal care services
- Gas stations and auto repair shops
- Transportation and logistics companies
- Retail trade and cleaning services
- Construction and security services
- “Fason” enterprises (outsourced production)
Authorities aim to reduce illegal employment practices and ensure compliance with labor regulations.
Fines and Penalties
The penalties for undeclared work are substantial:
- €10,500 per undeclared employee, rising to €31,500 for repeat offenses
- €3,000 for employing someone receiving unemployment benefits without notifying the relevant agency
- Up to €5,000 for employing foreign workers without proper EU work or residence permits
- Up to €10,500 for failing to pay the legal minimum wage or violating collective agreements
- €10,500 per employee for unauthorized staff lending or breaches of temporary employment regulations
Violations related to work hours, pay, or social security obligations may also trigger criminal sanctions.
Inspection Procedures
Labor inspectors have the authority to review all employment documents on-site, including company registration, operation licenses, social security records, attendance logs, and digital work card data where applicable. Employers must provide unrestricted access to facilitate compliance checks.
A dedicated campaign will accompany the inspections, distributing educational materials to both employers and employees to raise awareness about labor rights and legal obligations.
Recent Data
In 2025, Greek authorities recorded 1,359 cases of undeclared work, resulting in total fines of €15.6 million.
