In 2025, Greece is experiencing a huge shortage of labor, particularly in the areas that are important to its economy like tourism, hospitality, and real estate. This has led to the fact that cleaner and custodian work has become very accessible to foreign workers who want to have stable jobs in this Mediterranean nation. These jobs provide an easy access into the growing labor market in Greece, good wages, seasonal or permanent employment, and integration into the local communities. This guide is all you need to know about the job of cleaner and custodian in Greece as of 2025 as a foreign job seeker.
Greece: Great Demand of Cleaning and Custodial Jobs
The GDP of Greece is approximately 10 percent tourism, which is a driving force behind both seasonal and year-round demand of janitorial services in hotels, resorts, restaurants, airports, shopping centers, and office buildings. The government has undertaken to fill in an enormous number of vacant positions, as Greece now needs 360,000 foreign workers, with cleaners and custodians being some of the most in-demand jobs to ensure the maintenance of hygiene and facility maintenance.
Major deals with states like India are expected to see tens of thousands of workers in Greece by the end of 2025, especially in the tourism and hospitality-related sectors, like housekeeping and custodial work.
Cleaners and Custodian Role and Responsibilities
Cleaners and custodians maintain and clean many different types of environments. The main job functions usually are:
- Cleaning floors, dusting furniture, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping in hotels, offices, and other places.
- Sanitizing and cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and common places according to high standards of hygiene.
- Collection of waste, sorting of recyclable waste and disposal.
- Observing the premises to make sure that they are safe and reporting the maintenance issues or security concerns.
- Helping with the preparation and the break down of event areas.
- Sometimes doing minor repair like changing light bulbs or clearing up drains.
Although they are mostly repetitive and manual, they play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction and efficiency in various industries such as tourism, retail, education and health.
Work Permits and Eligibility to Foreign Workers
EU Citizens
EU citizens enjoy the freedom of movement and are allowed to work in Greece without a visa or a permit but they are required to register locally.
Non-EU Nationals
Foreign workers outside the EU will have to be provided with appropriate work visas and permits, which are acquired with the help of the employer sponsorship in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour in Greece. A lot of cleaning companies and recruitment agencies help foreign candidates with the legal paperwork and integration.
Candidates are usually expected to have a basic command of the English or Greek language, but most of the entry-level jobs do not require a high level of language fluency. According to the Greek labor laws, all workers should provide health documents and undergo background checks.
Wages, Work Conditions, and Benefits
Cleaner and custodian wages are location, employer, and contract specific, but average salaries in Greece begin at about 700-1200 Euros per month on full-time contracts. Part-time or seasonal work can be paid at an hourly rate of between 4 and 7.
Higher compensation packages may be given in large resorts or international hotel chains such as:
- Housing or accommodation allowance.
- Meals or meal allowances.
- Contributions to health insurance and to social security.
- Paid holidays and sick leaves.
- Employee discounts and performance or seasonal bonus.
The physical working conditions may include monotonous work, working long hours on foot, working on weekends or holidays particularly in high season. Nevertheless, a lot of employers pay attention to the safety at the workplace and educate their employees about hygiene and equipment use.
Finding Cleaner and Custodian Job in Greece
1. Recruitment agencies and Job Portals Online
Such websites as Indeed Greece, European Job Days, or specialized recruitment agencies actively promote the position of cleaners and custodians among foreign workers.
2. Direct Applications to Hotels and Facilities
They can directly apply to hotels, resorts, shopping centers, and office complexes, especially in the most famous tourist destinations like Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, and Greek islands.
3. Use Government and Bilateral Programs
The Greek government is working with other countries such as India and others to provide work permits to foreign workers in cleaning and hospitality jobs. The foreign job applicants are advised to research on bilateral labor agreements and seasonal worker programs to facilitate the application procedures.
4. Word-of-Mouth and Networking
Personal and professional networks are used to fill many cleaning jobs particularly in tourist centers where migrant populations are large. It is possible to find good leads by joining local groups or online forums.
Tips for Success in Cleaner and Custodian Roles
- Be reliable, punctual and a hard worker since these are very desirable characteristics.
- Dress and look professional.
- Study simple Greek words or master English to communicate better with the supervisors and colleagues.
- Flexibility in the working hours such as weekends and night shifts in peak seasons.
- Demonstrate the readiness to change and acquire new cleaning technology or procedures.
Conclusion
Cleaners and custodians are still in demand in Greece in 2025 and the demand is particularly high on foreign workers who are willing to take on the challenge of ensuring high standards of cleanliness and safety in the nation which is enjoying a boom in tourism and service industries. These jobs are a good seasonal and long-term job with competitive wages and favorable government policies and increasing bilateral agreements on labor shortages. Knowledge of eligibility requirements, common working duties, and advice on getting hired will allow foreign workers to join the cleaning and custodial sector of Greece and become a part of one of the most prosperous economies in Europe.
