New Structure For Annual Leave Introduced For 2026
Annual leave remains a core right for employees in Greece, yet the way it will be managed is set for meaningful change starting in 2026. The updated rules aim to improve flexibility for staff while easing administrative pressure on employers.
From 1 January 2026, a new framework will apply that reshapes how workplace leave is requested, approved and recorded. The reform gives workers more control over how they use their days off while simplifying obligations for businesses.
A More Flexible Approach To Splitting Leave
Employees will be able to divide their annual leave into multiple periods within the same calendar year if they submit a request to their employer. This change reverses the long standing model where a single uninterrupted block of leave was considered the rule and splitting it required special justification.
The new system still prevents leave from being used as scattered single days away from work, maintaining a structured format for time off.
Minimum Length Requirements Remain In Place
Each segment of leave must last at least 5 consecutive working days for employees on a five day schedule or 6 consecutive working days for those on a six day schedule. This safeguard ensures that leave continues to provide genuine rest and recovery rather than fragmented breaks.
Mutual Agreement Continues To Be Essential
Scheduling time off will still depend on an agreement between employer and employee. Both operational needs and personal plans must be considered before finalizing dates.
The Labour Inspectorate will continue acting as a mediator in case disagreements arise, ensuring that rights are upheld and disputes are addressed.
Administrative Burden On Employers Will Be Reduced
Businesses will no longer be required to pre declare annual leave in the ERGANI information system from 2026. This change removes a process that has long added complexity to day to day administration.
Instead of advance reporting, companies will submit a retrospective entry within the month following the leave period, preserving regulatory oversight without daily bureaucracy.
Core Leave Rules Stay Unchanged
The number of leave days will continue to depend on years of service, and unused leave still cannot be converted to cash except when employment ends. At least 50 percent of staff in every business must continue taking their leave between May and September.
The revised framework modernizes the way annual leave is organized without reducing employee protections, aiming to deliver a more practical and contemporary process for everyone involved.
