TEFL jobs in Greece

Yes — as an Irish citizen you can teach English in Greece with no visa and no work permit, because EU freedom of movement applies. Pay is the catch: the statutory minimum wage is €920 a month gross from 1 April 2026, set by the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and many language-school contracts sit close to it.

What Irish teachers should know first

The single fact that separates an Irish applicant from the American and British candidates most TEFL guides are written for is that you do not need permission to be there. Ireland and Greece are both EU member states, so you arrive, look for work and sign a contract on the same footing as a Greek national. No visa, no sponsorship, no employer having to prove they could not fill the role locally — which also means you are not tied to one school the way a sponsored teacher in Asia or the Gulf is.

On money, know the floor before you negotiate. The Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Security set the statutory minimum at €920 per month gross for salaried staff, and a minimum daily wage of €41.09, effective 1 April 2026 under Ministerial Decision 8934/27.3.2026 (Government Gazette B′ 1759). That was a rise from €880 in 2025. Greek law does not permit an employment contract to set full-time monthly pay below that figure, with part-time contracts paid the corresponding proportion. Because TEFL salaries in Greece cluster near the legal minimum rather than well above it, treat €920 as the reference point any offer should be measured against, not as an unusually poor deal.

Two pieces of admin follow once you are working. If you stay longer than three months, you apply for a certificate of registration for Union citizens, a procedure listed on the Greek National Registry of Administrative Procedures (mitos.gov.gr) and handled by the competent police service. Separately, you will need an AFM, the Greek tax identification number, issued by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) through gov.gr. Nothing about either step is a barrier — but a school will expect you to have an AFM before it can put you on payroll, so start it early.

One honest gap worth stating plainly. Spain runs a government language assistant intake through its Ministry of Education, and France places assistants through France Education International, both open to Irish graduates. We could not find an equivalent state-run English language assistant programme for Greece. The old Comenius assistantships ended with the Lifelong Learning Programme and were not carried over into Erasmus+ in that form. If you want a Greek classroom, the route is the private language school market described below, not a state scheme — and any guide telling you otherwise should be asked for its source.

Is Greece a realistic place to teach English on modest pay?

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.

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.

How competitive are English teaching jobs in Greece?

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.

If you are still comparing destinations, start with our pillar guide to teaching English abroad jobs, then weigh Greece against the two obvious Mediterranean alternatives — teaching English in Spain, which does run a state assistant programme, and teaching English in Italy. Whichever you pick, the qualification comes first: see our TEFL courses in Ireland.

Talk to a real person

No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Greece fits.

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.