Thousands of workers in Greece are counting down to retirement in 2026, as transitional rules and long-standing “insurance windows” continue to allow certain groups to exit before the age of 62.
Although Greece has generally raised retirement age thresholds in recent years, the system still provides pathways for parents of minors, public sector employees and workers in heavy and hazardous occupations to retire up to 3.5 years earlier than 62, provided they meet specific insurance and age requirements.
Public sector
Public servants who completed 25 years of service in 2010 and reached 35 years of insurance—while also turning 58 by the end of 2021—can retire in 2026 with a full pension.
Workers who completed 25 years in 2011 and reached 36 years of insurance by 2021 can retire in 2026 at age 61.6. The same retirement age applies to those who completed 25 years in 2012 and reached 37 years of insurance by 2021.
Private sector
In the private sector, mothers with a minor child and 5,500 insurance days between 2010 and 2012 continue to hold the main early-retirement routes.
Mothers born in 1965 who completed 5,500 insurance days in 2011 and had a minor child can retire in 2026 at age 58.5.
Mothers born in 1966 with the same requirements qualify for a reduced pension at age 60.2.
Mothers born in 1967 who completed the required insurance days in 2010 can also retire with a reduced pension within 2026.
Women who completed 5,500 insurance days in 2012 and turned 55 by 2018 can retire with a reduced pension at age 61.
Heavy and hazardous occupations
For workers insured under Greece’s heavy and unhealthy occupations category (BAE), the retirement ages remain unchanged despite broader increases.
Workers with 10,500 insurance days—including 7,500 in heavy occupations—qualify for a reduced pension at age 60 and a full pension at age 62.
DEKO and bank funds
In pension funds covering public utilities (DEKO) and banks, insured workers who joined before 1982 and completed 35 years of service by 2021 can retire at age 61.6.
Mothers insured in these funds who completed 25 years in 2011 and had a minor child can retire as early as 58.5, provided they had reached age 50 or 52 by 2017.
