Greece public sector faces recruitment delays and talent shortages

The Greek public sector is facing significant challenges in recruitment, characterized by lengthy administrative processes and difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified candidates. Current hiring procedures can take up to two years to complete, from the initial Cabinet decision to the final appointment.

During a meeting between representatives of the ADEDY Executive Committee and ASEP President Thanos Papaioannou, officials discussed the timeline for ongoing recruitment calls. While a law was passed two years ago by the Ministry of Interior to reduce hiring times to between 8 and 12 months through improved service interoperability, delays persist.

Beyond administrative delays, the public sector struggles with competitiveness. Many candidates are turning away from critical frontline positions due to uncompetitive salaries and unfavorable working conditions. For the year 2027, the recruitment plan includes 20,870 positions.