Summer vacations for private-sector employees have already begun for many, as July is now halfway through. Good news for workers this year is that the vacation allowance will be higher, following the April 1st increase in the national minimum wage — a change that automatically lifts related vacation-related earnings.
This Year’s Vacation Allowance Amount
The minimum wage was raised from €880 to €920 (gross) per month, effective April 1, and this adjustment directly impacts the calculation of the vacation allowance. As a result, the standard vacation allowance for 2026 stands at €589.41 — up from €556.05 in 2025.
How the Allowance Is Paid
Under current legislation, employers must pay the vacation allowance either upon the employee’s departure on leave or, alternatively, in installments alongside regular wages over the corresponding period.
How the Amount Is Calculated
The vacation allowance is determined based on the employee’s length of service and regular earnings:
- For monthly-salaried workers, the allowance equals half of their gross monthly salary.
- For those paid by the day, hour, or commission, the allowance cannot exceed 13 daily wages.
In addition to the allowance, employees continue to receive their regular vacation pay — meaning the wages they would have earned had they worked normally during that time. This includes standard supplementary payments such as Sunday work premiums, holiday bonuses, night shift allowances, and legally mandated overtime compensation.
Online Calculation Tool
Workers can estimate their exact entitlement using the dedicated online calculator provided by the Workers’ and Unemployed Information Centre (KEPEA), operated by Greece’s General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).