Greek Hotel Staff Shortages a Challenge

Despite the positive numbers for Greece’s hospitality sector and tourism more generally, staff shortages remain the greatest challenge for hotels at the start of the new season, while red tape in labor legislation, combined with the implementation of the digital work card system, are indirectly pushing undeclared labor back into the sector.

The President of the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP), Konstantina Svinou spoke to Ot.gr highlighting that staffing gaps in the hotel industry are expected to reach last year’s levels—around 20%. According to an ITEP study, the shortfall in personnel was estimated at 53,817 against 278,188 planned positions, translating to a 19% shortage—only a slight improvement from the previous year.

Regarding tourism and foreign labor recruitment, she noted that although the process of bringing in workers from abroad was initially frozen, the state later acted more swiftly and hiring has begun. However, bureaucratic hurdles—such as the issuance of tax identification numbers—continue to delay integration. Most foreign recruits come from India, the Philippines, and Egypt, and are described as well-trained professionals who add value to service quality.