The Easter bonus is due by Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025, but employers may choose to pay it earlier.

The Easter bonus, which is equivalent to half a monthly salary, applies to all employees in the private sector, whether they have an indefinite or fixed-term, full-time or part-time employment contract with any employer.

How is the Easter bonus calculated?

The amount of the Easter bonus depends on the employee’s method of remuneration (daily wage or salary).

The calculation period for the Easter bonus runs from January 1st to April 30th each year. Employees whose employment lasts throughout this period (January 1st-April 30th) are entitled to the full bonus: half a monthly salary for salaried employees, and 15 daily wages for daily wage employees.

If an employee’s employment does not last the full period, they are entitled to a proportional bonus. For salaried employees, this is calculated as 1/15 of half the monthly salary or one daily wage. For daily wage employees, it is calculated for every 8 calendar days worked. If the employment lasts less than 8 days, the bonus will be proportionally smaller.

Any legally approved absences, such as annual leave, maternity leave, or study leave, are counted as part of the calculation period. For sickness absences, the “three days of sickness” (when no sickness benefit is paid) are included in the bonus calculation, while periods covered by sickness benefits are excluded.

What should an employee do if the bonus is not paid?

If the Easter bonus is not paid on time, employees or unions should report it to the relevant Labor Inspectorate by filing a complaint. The complaint will be forwarded to the Prosecutor for individual prosecution against the employer and to the police station to initiate the ex parte procedure. Employees or unions may also file a complaint directly with the police.

Complaints should include business details and the employer’s residence if possible, as the police procedure may take up to 48 hours.

If the Easter bonus is not paid by the deadline, Labor Inspectors are required to act immediately, conducting inspections and using the automatic warning procedure to enforce penalties.

Employees can make named or anonymous complaints via the 1555 service line, the online complaint submission system of the Labor Inspectorate, or by email to their local Inspection Department.

For further support, the GSEE Information Center for Employees and Unemployed (KEPEA-GSEE) offers assistance. Employees can submit complaints or track complaints related to the Easter bonus via their website: https://www.kepea.gr/contact.php?ask=8.