Teach English in Greece

Are you longing for blue waters, stunning beaches and delicious food? If you’re ready to be surrounded by beautiful islands, rich history, friendly locals, great food, mesmerising landscapes and amazing nightlife, then Greece is the teaching destination for you.

Let’s explore what it’s like to teach in Greece and what is required to be a teacher in this beautiful country.

In Greece you can live your best life! The country relies heavily on tourism and this leads to a strong demand for English teachers. But that’s not the only reason Greece is a wonderful place to start your TEFL journey:

• Laid-back working conditions. The working conditions for TEFL teachers are not as hectic in Greece as in other countries. Schools typically require teachers to teach about 15 – 10 hours a week, which leaves a lot of time to explore or earn some extra cash private tutoring or online teaching. 
• Different lifestyle. Life in Greece is probably completely different than in your home country. Living in Greece is an excellent opportunity to embrace a new culture and develop your international teaching career.
• The history. It should come as no surprise that Greece is jam-packed with culture and history. In Athens you can visit the Acropolis to admire the Parthenon; Mycenae is one of the oldest UNESCO Heritage sites in Greece; and you can watch a traditional Greek play in the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. History buffs will lose their minds in Greece!

Greece is filled with many beautiful places to teach English. You can choose to be on an idyllic island in a rural area or reside in the heart of urban areas like Athens. Let’s look at where you can teach in Greece.

Athens

Best for history-lovers

The cosmopolitan nature of the city allows you to live a city life while having two UNESCO World Heritage sites and numerous other attractions on your doorstep. In Athens there are teaching opportunities in public and private schools, teaching children or adults, beginners or advanced students. 

On the downside, there are many teachers looking for jobs in Athens so you might struggle to find a job, and the cost of living is higher in Athens than in other areas of Greece.

Mykonos

For island vibes

Mykonos is one of the main islands of the Cyclades. The island is covered in the typical white and blue Greek buildings, has crystal clear water, beautiful beaches and narrow streets. Tourism makes up the biggest part of the economy in Mykonos and summers can be very crowded and busy – or bustling and vibey, depending how you look at it! As the most popular island in Greece the cost of living is high on Mykonos. Teachers can look for jobs in the tourism industry or at local schools.

Rhodes

Best for private schools and language centres

Rhodes is one of the bigger islands in Greece. Here you will find medieval architecture, wineries, beautiful beaches and a lively nightlife. Rhodes is known for its beautiful summers, but just like Mykonos you will have to share the island with many tourists during the busy summer months. Private classes and small private English schools are the most common places for teachers to find work on Rhodes.

Before we unpack what is needed to work in Greece, we need to take note of one thing. For jobs teaching English in Greece, EU citizens and teachers with work permits are preferred. This is not because of preference but because of visa restrictions. But it’s not all doom and gloom for non-EU citizens, we promise!

What will I need to qualify to teach in Greece?

To teach English in Greece, you need the triple whammy: to be a native English speaker with a university degree and a TEFL certification. 

1. Degree requirements

You will need a Bachelor’s degree to teach English in Greece. Your degree does not have to be in English or Education.

2. A TEFL certification

Greece requires you to have a minimum of a 120-hour TEFL certification to teach English. You don’t need professional teaching experience, but if you opt for the Level 5 Combined TEFL Course with The TEFL Academy you will have teaching experience to add to your CV.

3. EU Citizenship

European citizens and those who already have residency and working privileges in Europe will be able to easily find a job in Greece. EU citizens can either find a job online before they arrive or enter Greece on a tourist visa, find employment and convert that to a work permit with the help of their employer.

It’s challenging for non-EU citizens to get a teaching job in Greece. If you haven’t been blessed with an EU passport, you’ll need to be sponsored by an employer to apply for a work permit. This generally means finding a job before you arrive in Greece.

Some nationalities can apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Greece, if you are between the ages of 18 and 35. This allows you to be in Greece for up to a year and work for six of those months.

If you’re not an EU citizen, aren’t eligible for a Working Holiday visa and you’re not prepared to wade through mounds of paperwork and red tape, consider teaching somewhere which is friendlier to non-EU passport holders – or online.

The Greece Nomadic Visa allows you to live and work in Greece for up to a year. To qualify for this visa, you need to prove your employer is outside Greece and that your monthly income is above a certain threshold.

4. Money for basic start-up costs

Unless you have a very generous Greek friend, you’ll need money to survive from when you arrive in Greece until you receive your first paycheque. 

Most schools in Greece will not pay you upfront, so it is important to have between €1,000 – €1,800 ($1,100 – $2,000) available to set yourself up in Greece. Let’s look at a breakdown of costs you might experience when starting out in Greece. 

• Accommodation: One month’s rent and deposit.
• TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 
• Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and notarising your degree and TEFL certificate.
• Flight ticket: Variable. 
• Visa application: The cost of getting a visa is subject to your home country. You can expect to pay around $200.
• Living expenses: You will need one month’s worth of start-up capital of about €1,000 – €1,800 ($1,100 – $2,000).

Teaching experience is not that important to get an English teaching job in Greece. It is more important that you have a TEFL certification. As luck would have it, The TEFL Academy can help with this!

The TEFL Academy offers a Level 3 120-hour TEFL Course and a Level 5 1688-hour TEFL course. By doing a TEFL course with The TEFL Academy, you are giving yourself the best chance of securing the English teaching jobs of your dreams.

The economic crisis has hit Greece hard, but despite the unemployment rate being high, there are a fair amount of teaching opportunities available in Greece. To be a teacher in Greece you have to be highly motivated and diligent. There are a few different types of teaching jobs in Greece that you can apply for.

Private English language schools (Language academies)

The majority of teaching jobs in Greece can be found in private English language schools, or frontistirio. Private English language schools are mainly located in big cities all around Greece. At a language academy you can expect to work about 15 hours a week and teach children or adults across all age ranges. You’ll most likely teach in the afternoon or evening, after school or business hours.

International schools

There are a few American and British International schools in the big cities across Greece. Requirements at these schools are a bit higher than most places in Greece as they require you to have a teaching qualification (a teaching license) from your home country. International schools have jobs available, but they are not common for TEFL teachers.

Private English lessons

Private tutoring is popular in Greece. Parents prefer the one-to-one nature of private tutoring and like to invest in their children’s English studies. Adults studying towards English exams like Cambridge are also looking for private tutoring in Greece. This is a great way to earn money or supplement your income.

Greece has a demand for English teachers, but it will be more difficult for non-EU citizens to find jobs due to difficult visa procedures. Here are some tips to help you make your dream of becoming a teacher in Greece true:

• Know when to look for a job. The best time to look for a job in Greece is at the beginning of the school year in September. A second window for hiring opens up in January.
• Be in Greece to get hired. Schools in Greece prefer face-to-face interviews. This means you will have to be in the country for your interview and be ready to start working once you are hired.
• Have the correct qualifications. A TEFL teacher in Greece preferably needs to be a EU citizen, have a Bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification.

Teachers in Greece earn between €700 and €1,000 ($750 and $1,200) a month. It’s common practice for teachers to supplement their income with private tutoring lessons. Hourly rates for private tutoring range between €9 and €22 ($10 and $25).

As a teacher in Greece your health insurance is covered by your school and you will have paid vacation days. Work weeks range between 20 and 30 hours which allows a lot of time to travel and explore the beautiful islands and immerse yourself in Greek culture. You’ll most likely be responsible for your own airfare. Many language schools provide subsidised housing.

Salaries in Greece are not as high as in other European countries, but the cost of living is also not high in Greece. You may not be able to save a lot but you will enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

Accommodation

•  One-bed apartment in Athens: €650 ($600)
•  One-bed apartment outside Athens: €350 ($400)

Utilities

• Electricity, water, and gas: €35 – €70 ($40 – $80)

Food and groceries

• Monthly shop: €200 ($220) a month 
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €12 ($13)

Transport

• Monthly train or bus pass: €32 ($35)
• One-way ticket: €1.20 ($1.30)

Internet

• Unlimited: €27 – €32 ($30 – $35)

Entertainment

Gym, movies, clubbing: €135 – €270 ($150 – $300)

You shouldn’t expect to save millions as a TEFL teacher in Greece. Generally speaking, TEFL teachers in Greece mostly break even each month. You’ll be able to cover your rent and expenses, and go out and enjoy Greece, but that’s probably about it. Private lessons or online teaching can supplement your income. If you’re happy to earn enough to enjoy your ouzo and island-hop, then Greece is a good option.

In a word? Dreamy! 

• But you can still experience culture shock in paradise. Greece might be a country that seems familiar but it is important to remember that aspects like the language, time and food may be very unfamiliar to you. 
• Time moves very slowly in Greece. Don’t expect things to happen on time as most locals like enjoying life’s simple pleasures.  
• Learning some Greek will go a long way. Greeks are extremely proud of their language and will eagerly tell you that most languages originate from Greek. It is not expected of you to know Greek to teach in Greece, but knowing a few phrases will help you get along with locals, especially in rural areas.
• Teachers are expected to dress modestly in the classroom. Female teachers should cover their shoulders and wear longer length skirts and trousers. Men are expected to wear long pants. 
• Be open and friendly. Greeks value face-to-face communication and are friendly people who like to make personal connections.
• Greek food is something to experience. Lots of family and social gatherings are associated with food. Greek food is traditionally light and healthy, with lots of fish and vegetables. Those with a sweet tooth can look forward to baklava – mouthwateringly delicious layers of pastry filled with almonds and drenched in honey. 

Life in Greece can be a mesmerising cultural experience. Teachers can soak up the sun and make a difference in their students’ lives. 

Keen?