Greece: Wage guidelines for August 15 holiday

The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), through its Information Center for Employees and Unemployed (KEPEA), has issued guidelines regarding wage compensation for the mandatory August 15 holiday in 2026. Because the holiday falls on a Saturday, specific rules apply to private sector employees based on their work schedule and payment method.

For businesses that do not operate on the holiday, employees on a five-day schedule paid by daily wage are entitled to one additional daily wage, while monthly salaried employees receive their regular monthly salary. Employees on a six-day schedule paid by daily wage will receive their usual six daily wages for the week.

For businesses legally permitted to operate on Sundays and holidays, employees who work on August 15 are entitled to a 75% increase. Daily wage earners receive this based on their legal hourly rate, while monthly salaried employees receive an increase calculated as 1/25 of their legal salary for the hours worked. If a five-day employee works Saturday as a sixth day, the work duration is limited to eight hours, and the daily wage receives an additional 40% increase.