Greece is one of Europe’s most active aviation hiring markets, and ground handlers at Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG) and the island airports (HER, RHO, CFU, CHQ) are actively recruiting airport ground staff from overseas. If you are looking for stable work with employer-sponsored Greek residence permit, shared accommodation and a starting salary from around €1,700+ / month, this online application guide walks you through everything you need to know before you apply.
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This article covers what airport ground staff work in Greece actually looks like day to day, who can realistically apply, how much you can earn once overtime and shift allowances are counted, and how to move your application forward in a calm, well-informed way through the official portals listed further down.
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Unlock Career Opportunities in Airport Ground Staff Roles Across Greece
Greece’s major ground handlers — Swissport Hellas, Goldair Handling, Skyserv Handling Services and Aviator Airport Services — recruit airport ground staff year-round across Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG), Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU) and Chania (CHQ). From flagship long-haul carriers at ATH’s satellite terminal to the summer-peak island rush, employers hire directly under Greek Labour Code. Legitimate offers include an employer-sponsored Type-D national visa, residence permit for paid employment, IKA / EFKA social-insurance registration and 13th & 14th month bonuses.
Understanding the everyday reality of these roles — the tasks, shifts, benefits and expectations — helps you pick an opening that truly matches your situation, instead of applying blindly to every airport ground staff listing you scroll past.
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What to Expect from Airport Ground Staff Jobs in Greece
Day-to-day work at Athens International Airport (ATH) follows a structured rotating 4-shift rota (early / late / night / off). You clock in at the staff entrance, attend a short toolbox talk, collect PPE (reflective vest, ear defenders, safety shoes) and head to your assigned stand. Shifts are typically 8 hours across a 40-hour week, with overtime paid at 1.25× (weekday) to 1.75× (Sunday / public holiday) the hourly rate as per Greek Labour Code.
Typical duties across the working day include:
- Load and unload baggage from the aircraft belly holds at ATH, SKG or the island airports.
- Marshall the aircraft to the stand, connect the ground power unit and pushback the aircraft.
- Operate belt loaders, tugs, container dollies and pushback tractors under supervision.
- Sort and route cargo pallets and ULDs to correct connecting flights per the airline hub plan.
- Follow IATA ramp-safety, jet-blast & wingtip clearance and dangerous-goods (DG) rules.
- Complete the ramp report, weight-and-balance sign-off and hand-over log before shift change.
Salary, Benefits and What “€1,700+ / month” Really Means
The headline figure of €1,700+ / month is the entry-level starting salary, not the ceiling. Actual take-home varies by employer, shift, overtime and any accommodation/food allowance included. The table below shows the realistic monthly breakdown for a airport ground staff on a legitimate Greece contract:
| Component | Typical Range (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | € 1,320 – 1,600 | Above 2026 Greek minimum wage € 830/mo; fixed monthly per the contract. |
| Shift allowance | € 150 – 350 | Night, weekend and public-holiday shift premiums. |
| Overtime (typical) | € 200 – 600 | Paid at 1.25–1.75× hourly rate per Greek Labour Code. |
| Meal / transport allowance | € 100 – 250 | Company mess + free airport shuttle. |
| Accommodation | Shared (or € 250 allowance) | Shared staff housing near ATH / island airport. |
| 13th & 14th month bonus | ≈ 2 monthly salaries / year | Christmas + Easter + summer statutory bonuses. |
| Approximate gross | € 1,700 – 2,900 (approx. INR 155,600 – 265,300) | Depends on overtime, shift and airport. |
Greece has progressive income tax + IKA / EFKA social contributions, but the 13th and 14th month bonuses lift the effective annual take-home. Adding shared staff accommodation and airport-shuttle transport keeps monthly personal spending around € 400–600 for a worker in this pay band.
Available Positions & Indicative Pay
| Position | Monthly Salary Range (EUR) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| Baggage / Ramp Helper (Entry) | € 1,700 – 1,950 | INR 155,600 – 178,400 |
| Ramp Agent (GSE Driver) | € 1,900 – 2,200 | INR 173,800 – 201,300 |
| Cargo Loader / ULD Build-Up | € 2,100 – 2,450 | INR 192,100 – 224,100 |
| Passenger Service Agent (PSA) | € 2,000 – 2,400 | INR 182,900 – 219,600 |
| Ramp Team Leader / Coordinator | € 2,500 – 2,900 | INR 228,600 – 265,300 |
Who Can Apply for Airport Ground Staff Jobs in Greece
Eligibility for legitimate Greece positions is straightforward, but every point matters. Employers work through the Greece labour authorities and will verify each requirement before issuing the offer letter.
- Age: 20 to 55 years for most operational ramp roles.
- Education: Minimum secondary schooling for helper positions; vocational / diploma for GSE-driver roles.
- Experience: Freshers accepted for baggage/ramp helper; 1–3 years typical for GSE and cargo roles.
- Health: Must pass Greek pre-employment medical.
- Passport: Minimum 18 months validity + at least two blank pages.
- Character: Police clearance from your home-country authority (PCC).
- Language: Basic English preferred; Greek is a plus for passenger-facing roles.
Skills That May Help You Succeed as a Airport Ground Staff
Beyond the baseline requirements, employers actively favour candidates who bring a set of small, sharp habits into the workplace. Recruiters at Swissport Hellas, Goldair Handling, Skyserv Handling Services and Aviator Airport Services regularly mention the following:
Reliability
Turn up on time every shift; the roster is built around every attendee.
Safety mindset
Wear PPE without being told and follow toolbox-talk instructions to the letter.
Physical stamina
Airport Ground Staff roles are demanding — pace yourself and hydrate.
Team communication
Basic English + polite manner keeps the shift running smoothly.
Official Job Portal Links (View Official Information)
Browse Greece’s most trusted official portals and employer career pages. These are verified, legitimate sources — beware of any agent asking for a large upfront fee to secure a job or visa.
| Portal / Employer | Official Link |
|---|---|
| 🏛 EURESEU-wide official jobs portal (Greek employer postings) | View Listing → |
| 💼 LinkedIn GreeceVerified job listings across Greece | View Listing → |
| 🌐 EKT GreeceNational Documentation Centre — career & research jobs | View Listing → |
| 📌 Indeed GreeceLargest Greek job aggregator | View Listing → |
| 🇬🇷 Kariera.grGreece’s largest career platform | View Listing → |
| 🛫 EURES GreeceEuropean Employment Services — Greek nodes | View Listing → |
Step by Step: How to Apply Online
- Prepare a one-page English CV in PDF, plus scanned copies of your passport, education certificate and any GSE / airport experience letters.
- Search for the exact keyword — for example, "Airport Ground Staff Greece visa sponsorship" — on one or two of the verified portals above.
- Apply directly through the ground handler or authorised agency page. Never pay a "visa-processing" fee to any recruiter.
- If shortlisted, attend the online screening call and IATA ramp-safety awareness test promptly.
- On selection, complete your Greek pre-employment medical, sign the offer letter and wait for the Type-D visa & DYPA work-permit approval before you book flights.
- Once your Type-D visa is issued, book your flight to Athens and join at the notified date. Your employer will complete the residence-permit issuance after you arrive.
Important Details to Check Before Moving Forward
- Verify the ground handler’s Greek AFM (tax number) and DYPA employer licence before signing anything.
- Read the offer letter carefully: basic pay, shift allowance, working hours, weekly off, overtime rate and 13th/14th month bonus should all be spelled out.
- Confirm which side pays for the visa, medical, flight and accommodation. A legitimate Greek airport offer covers all of these on the employer’s side.
- Never share bank-OTP, passport scans or residence-permit scans through unknown WhatsApp numbers.
- Genuine offer letters carry the employer’s Greek AFM, Greek + English company name and a valid DYPA reference.
Resume and Interview Preparation Tips
Your resume for a Greece application should be one to two pages, in English, with a clean layout. Lead with your job title and years of experience, follow with a short summary paragraph, then list your last two or three roles with concrete achievements — safety record, output numbers, machines operated, certifications held.
Interview questions for these roles usually cover four blocks:
- Tell me about your experience with airport ground handling or cargo work.
- Are you comfortable with 4-shift rotating rosters, night runs and summer-peak island shifts?
- Do you have a valid passport and are you ready for the Greek pre-employment medical?
- Would you sign a 2-year contract with the employer once selected?
Final Considerations for Airport Ground Staff Job Seekers in Greece
Airport Ground Staff openings at Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG) and the Greek island airports for 2026 offer a monthly income of € 1,700 – 2,900 (approx. INR 155,600 – 265,300), employer-sponsored Greek Type-D visa + residence permit, shared accommodation or housing allowance, IKA / EFKA social insurance, paid annual leave and 13th & 14th month bonuses. Complete your documents on time, apply through a verified portal and be ready for a short online interview to secure a joining date before the 2026 intake closes.