TEACH ENGLISH IN GREECE

About Teaching English in Greece

To teach English in Greece, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree. EU citizenship or a work visa and native English proficiency are expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Greece is about $800 - $1,100 USD per month.

A cradle of Western Civilization, Greece is known for being the birthplace of both democracy and the Olympic games. While there is a strong demand for English-language instruction (the national economy relies heavily on tourism and international trade), Greece represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Greece.  We highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Greece if you are not an EU citizen or have a holiday work visa. This is due in large part to the recent collapse of the Greek economy and because of visa regulations, the national network of language schools, known as frontisteria, are reluctant to employ non-European Union citizens who do not already possess residency and legal working rights.

For those looking to make a go of it, securing a job in Greece requires teachers, who can work in the country legally, to be in-country on the ground during the peak hiring seasons of September and January. It is highly recommended to apply and send resumes and cover letters ahead of time, but it is very important to visit schools directly once in-country. And be prepared to network - jobs are often acquired through word of mouth. 

Wages are modest but typically high enough to cover basic expenses. In addition to working at language schools, many teachers take advantage of private tutoring opportunities to boost their income.  English teachers need to typically have a BA to teach in Greece, as well as a TEFL certification. Major centers for English teaching jobs are Athens, Larissa, Corfu, Thebes, and Thessaloniki.

How to Teach English in Greece: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Greece

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Greece. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview in person in Greece. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Citizenship

Greece represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Greece. We highly suggest not counting on getting a legal work permit to teach in Greece if you are not an EU citizen or have a holiday work visa.  

European Union citizens and those who already possess residency and working privileges in addition to a BA degree and TEFL certification can find jobs throughout the country.

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Greece, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements

A Bachelor's degree is required to secure a job in Greece. Please note, your degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field. 

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Greece

English Teaching Jobs in Greece

The most common teaching jobs in Greece consist of:

• Teaching children in public schools. 
• Teaching Business English to adults.
• Private one-on-one tutoring.
• Teaching English Online.

TEFL Jobs Greece: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Greece can expect to find teaching jobs around the peak hiring months of September/October and January.

Schools in Greece conduct face-to-face interviews, meaning you will need to be on the ground and in Greece to interview for jobs and ready to begin teaching right away once hired.

Limited schools will sponsor a work visa for qualified teachers who are not EU citizens. Some teachers work on a tourist visa "under the table" (primarily as private tutors), but it is not common for language schools to hire those without prior legal working rights (like EU citizenship) in Greece.

Working as an English Teacher in Greece: Hours

English language schools in Greece offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore.

Teaching Greek Students

It is most common that your students will be children or adult business professionals. 

TEFL Greece Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,200 - $2,000 USD (1,000 - 1,800 Euro). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Greece until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Greece

A modest wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Greece. English teachers in Greece can expect to make $800 - $1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 Euro) per month. It is common for teachers in Greece to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent. 

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $800 - $1,100 USD per month (700 - 1,000 Euro).

English teachers in Greece can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.