TEACH ENGLISH IN GREECE

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Greece.

🔔 NEW! Now accepting enrollments for our new Test Prep Skills Specialty Course

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.

Two English teachers in Greece with the International TEFL Academy flag ITA graduate and English teacher, Allen Tunstall, in Athens, Greece

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.

 

What Does Teaching in Greece Look Like?

Watch ITA alumna Megan Lethbridge Tsifopanopoulos show us a day in her life living and teaching English online from Missolonghi, Greece.

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Greece & Europe could be like!

AS SEEN IN

Teaching English in Greece FAQs

Do I need a degree to teach English in Greece?

To teach English in Greece, make sure you understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A bachelor's degree is required to teach English in Greece. Your degree does not have to be in education, it may be in any field.
  • A TEFL certification.
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available.
  • Savings for start-up costs.

  • EU Citizenship or a holiday work visa - without this, we highly suggest not counting on getting a legal work permit to teach in Greece.

Not Required:

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

How much can I earn teaching English in Greece

English teachers in Greece can expect to make $800 - $1,100 USD (700 - 1,000 Euros) per month. 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.

Are English teachers in Greece in demand?

There is a demand for English teachers in Greece. You can interview in person and can expect to find jobs around the peak hiring months of September/October and January. However, remember that 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.

What type of visa do I need to teach English in Greece?

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. 

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 in Greece.

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.

Recommended TEFL Courses for Teaching English in Greece

Crete, Greece TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • In-Person 4 Weeks, Full-Time
  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
  • Officially endorsed as a Level 5 certificate by Learning Resource Network -Meets/Exceeds All Industry Accreditation Standards
  • University-Level Instructors
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • Live Practice Teaching
  • Classes capped at 12 students

Part-Time Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 170-Hour Online Certification
  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 20-Hours Live Practice Teaching

Intensive Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 4 Weeks Full-Time (40+ hours per week) - required class time typically 6-8 hours daily
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 10-Hours Live Practice Teaching (Virtual) built into the course
#1

Named best U.S. TEFL Course
Named best Online TEFL class
GOABROAD.COM

9.7/10

Rating from 1,000+ Reviews
GOABROAD.COM | GOOVERSEAS.COM
GOOGLE | FACEBOOK | BBB

40K

Alumni Network Worldwide
6,000+ certified students a year & graduates in 80+ countries

Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Greece & Europe

Laura Tressel

Teaches English in Europe

Laura Tressel

I chose to do ITA's Online TEFL Course because it gave me the flexibility to work during the day and complete my course at night. My favorite part of the course was the practicum. I assisted an ESL teacher at a local adult night school and I realized then that I loved teaching adults - so I now teach Business English. I fell in love with the culture and the people in Italy. I love that the working environment is so much less competitive than in the US, and people really focus on living their lives outside of work and enjoying things like food, nature, and the company of your friends and family.

Ken Patel

Teaches English in Europe

Ken Patel

I chose ITA primarily because of their huge and active alumni community which has been an invaluable source of information and encouragement throughout my experience - it was definitely a good choice. My plan was to work in a language academy in Spain but they didn't have enough hours so I picked up a job teaching English online to supplement my income. I really enjoyed this and I earned about 3x as much per hour after accounting for travel time, lesson prep, and corrections. At the end of the school term, I quit my academy job and switched to working online full time.

Tina Angok

Taught English in Europe

Tina Angok

I took ITA's Online TEFL Course because of their level of accreditation and really enjoyed it. The tasks assigned taught me how to be an effective teacher and construct lesson plans. I really appreciated the practicum and quizzes. I decided to teach in Berlin because I'm a history nerd, and there's so much history to learn about in this city. I also love the high level of diversity and a plethora of activities to do. I work for Lingua Franca, a company that specializes in business English training. My students are all adult professionals working in their fields.