How to Write a CV in Greece: Format & Guide 2026

Greece's labour market is shaped by a large public sector, a dominant tourism and hospitality industry, a growing technology scene in Athens, and strong connections to international shipping. Whether you are applying to a Greek company, a multinational, or a public agency, presenting a well-structured, factually specific CV tailored to local expectations is the foundation of a competitive application.

Document Format and Length

The document is called a CV (curriculum vitae) in Greece. The standard is two pages for experienced professionals and one page for recent graduates. Greek CVs follow the reverse chronological format. The Europass template is accepted for academic positions and EU-funded roles, but private sector employers, particularly in technology and shipping, generally prefer modern, clean layouts.

Language of the CV

Greek-language CVs are standard for domestic companies, government roles, and most local employers. English-language CVs are expected for multinational companies, international shipping firms, tech companies, and roles with international scope. For positions at large Greek employers such as Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) or Public Power Corporation (DEI), a Greek CV is customary. For positions at multinationals such as Deloitte Greece, Microsoft Greece, or international tech companies, English is appropriate. When uncertain, prepare both versions.

Professional Photo

A professional photograph is expected on Greek CVs for most private and public sector applications. Place it in the top right corner. Use a recent photograph with neutral background and business attire. The photo convention is stronger for traditional sectors (finance, law, public administration) and somewhat less rigid for creative and technology roles.

Personal Information

Include your full name, professional title or current role, email address, phone number with +30 country code, and city. Date of birth is standard on Greek CVs. Nationality is included when relevant. Driving licence (category B) should be noted for roles involving travel. For EU citizens applying to Greek employers, AMKA (social security number) should not appear on the CV.

Education

Greek recruiters place considerable emphasis on academic qualifications. The most prestigious and widely recognised institutions are the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA / Polytechneio), the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB / ASOEE), and Panteion University for social sciences and political studies. For science and engineering, NTUA graduates hold strong prestige. The University of Piraeus is well regarded for finance, economics, and informatics. International degrees, particularly from UK, US, and German institutions, are well recognised. List institution name, degree, field, and graduation year. Greek higher education uses a 1-10 grading scale; include your grade if it is 7.5 or above.

Work Experience

Describe experience in reverse chronological order. For each role, provide the employer name, job title, dates, city, and 3-4 bullet points focused on concrete achievements. Greek employers recognise these companies as strong signals: Skroutz S.A., Viva Wallet (Greek fintech), Hellenic Bank (in Cyprus), Alpha Bank, Eurobank, National Bank of Greece (NBG), OTE Group, OPAP (the Greek lottery and gaming group), Hellenic Petroleum, Motor Oil Hellas, Minoan Lines, and the Onassis Foundation. For shipping professionals, names such as Tsakos Group, Costamare, and Navios Maritime are highly regarded. Consulting firms (McKinsey Greece, KPMG Greece, EY Greece) add strong prestige for finance and management roles. Quantify wherever possible: revenue managed, cost savings delivered, teams led, or systems deployed.

Skills and Languages

Technical skills should be specific to your sector. For IT roles, name programming languages, frameworks, and cloud platforms. For finance, specify accounting standards (IFRS, Greek GAAP), ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), and certifications (ACCA, CFA, CIA). Language skills are critical in Greece: English at C2 level (Certificate of Proficiency) is highly valued and the internationally recognised ECPE and IELTS qualifications are well understood. German and French skills are valued in tourism and for EU institutional roles. For shipping roles, English is the working language by international convention and must be strong.

Key Sectors in Greece

Tourism and hospitality is the backbone of the Greek economy, with Greece ranking among the top five European destinations annually. Major employers include Sunweb, Thomas Cook operations, and hotel chains such as Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts. The shipping sector is globally significant: Greece controls approximately 20 percent of the world's shipping tonnage, employing maritime officers, port administrators, and shipping finance professionals through Athens-based ship management companies. The technology sector is growing rapidly, with Athens hosting companies such as Workable, Persado, and Beat (formerly Taxibeat). The banking sector, led by Alpha Bank, Eurobank, National Bank of Greece, and Piraeus Bank, is a major employer of finance and economics graduates.

Cover Letter

A cover letter (συνοδευτική επιστολή) is expected for most formal applications in Greece. Write it in the same language as your CV. It should be one page, addressed to the hiring manager, and tailored specifically to the role. Avoid generic letters; Greek recruiters respond to applications that demonstrate knowledge of the company.

Common CV Mistakes in Greece

• Wrong language: Submitting an English CV to a domestic Greek employer signals poor preparation.
• No photo: Omitting the photo in a market where it is expected creates an immediate gap in your presentation.
• Duties instead of achievements: Replace "responsible for client management" with measurable outcomes.
• Including AMKA or tax number: These should never appear on a CV.
• Over-long CVs: More than two pages for standard professional roles is considered excessive.
• Generic English proficiency claims: State your specific qualification (Cambridge C2, IELTS 8.0) rather than "fluent English."