TEFL jobs in Greece
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Greece
Overview
Would you like to teach English in Greece? This Mediterranean country blends ancient history with modern living. From tranquil island villages to bustling cities like Athens (population approx. 3.2 million), Greece offers a wide range of lifestyles for TEFL teachers. The warm climate, delicious cuisine, and strong sense of community make it an attractive place to live and work.
Despite Greece’s ongoing economic challenges, teaching opportunities still exist for dedicated TEFL teachers. While salaries may be lower compared to other European destinations, the lifestyle, culture, and location more than make up for it. Expats are drawn by the chance to enjoy the Greek way of life—where good company, food, and work-life balance take centre stage.
Job opportunities are competitive, particularly in larger cities, where many teachers are willing to accept modest pay to stay in Greece. However, newcomers can often find positions at language schools, private institutes, or through tutoring. Large chains are typically easier to secure positions with, but smaller, off-the-beaten-path schools may also have opportunities.
This guide outlines the job types available, how to find work, what qualifications you’ll need, and what to expect from the culture and lifestyle as an English teacher in Greece.
Types of teaching jobs
Public and Private Language Schools
The most common route for TEFL teachers, with students of all ages attending after school. Hours are usually afternoons and evenings, and while pay is modest, positions are steady and widely available.
International Schools
Offer the best salaries and benefits but require teaching qualifications, a degree in education, and classroom experience. Highly competitive, but ideal for long-term TEFL careers.
Private Tutoring
A popular way to supplement income, especially with teenagers preparing for exams and business professionals improving workplace English. Flexible but requires building a client base.
Summer Camps
Short-term roles during the summer holidays, often focused on fun, immersive English activities. Great for new teachers to gain quick experience.
Salaries, requirements & visas
Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Athens, Heraklion, Katerini, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, and Crete; however, there will be opportunities in other areas.
The average salary for EFL teachers
The basic monthly salary for full-time positions is likely to be in the region of €700–€1,000 per month. An hourly rate of €25–€30 from professional organisations in big cities, freelancers will charge around €15 per hour or €10 for group lessons.
TEFL qualification requirements
A 120-hour TEFL certificate is a minimum requirement for nearly all jobs, and the better qualified you are, the better your chances.
Teach English in Greece requirements
Prerequisite university degree: Required for all state-teaching jobs, beneficial for most positions.
Term times
September to June.
Teaching English in Greece programmes
Public Schools, Private Language Schools, Freelance.
Age restrictions
None
Previous experience
Previous English teaching experience in Greece is not as important as being qualified, but still likely to help you get work if you have a few years of experience in other countries.
Living costs
Greece experienced a severe financial and economic crisis in 2007-2008, from which it is still recovering. Prices have begun to rise in Greece in recent years now that the situation has stabilised, but it remains a low-cost destination for both tourists and expats. Locally, unemployment was approximately 30% of the population in 2013, and while the situation has improved to around 15%, youth unemployment remains a serious worry, having reduced from 60% to closer to 30% in 2020. The ongoing struggle in Greece is a double-edged sword for TEFL teachers: the country’s cheap cost of living makes it simple to get by, but it also makes it difficult to move ahead.
However, because of a shortage of spare income, residents are frequently unable to purchase luxuries such as language courses. Young people can’t afford to spend money on learning a second language, but they know that learning English will allow them to travel and work overseas, giving them possibilities they wouldn’t have had otherwise. As a result, it’s a mixed bag.
Because Greece has a high VAT rate, expect to pay a lot for imported goods. With a delectable and well-known healthy national cuisine, embracing Greek cuisine will be beneficial to your money as well as your waistline. While the cost of a beer or coffee may be comparable to that of other European countries, you’ll note how much less expensive housing is in Greece — renting is inexpensive and accessible, and even in more affluent locations, you can find a great place to live. Many schools provide housing for English teachers in Greece, which helps to compensate for the poor pay.
Cost of living figures are supplied by Numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living comparison site.
Accommodation
€460–€800
Utilities
€117
Health insurance
€40
Monthly transport pass
€31
Basic dinner out for two
€30
Cappuccino in an ex-pat area
€4.01
A beer in a pub
€4.18
1 litre of milk
€1.22
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