English Teaching Jobs in
Greece

Requirements  

So, what are the requirements to teach English abroad in Greece? You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and, as is always the case, a TEFL certification of at least 120 hours.

With Greek levels of English proficiency being so high, it’s worth considering that many students will have specific goals in mind. Therefore, an advanced TEFL certificate, like Business English, English for Academic Purposes or Exam Preparation, will put you in good stead. Exam preparation can be critical.

In most cases, previous teaching experience is essential for finding English teaching opportunities in Greece. Specifically, experience preparing students for certificates including IELTS, Cambridge First Certificate, University of Michigan exams, Pearson Test of English, English Speaking Board exams, and City & Guilds English qualifications is extremely valuable.

You can teach without being a native English speaker in Greece. An IELTS or TOEFL certificate should prove fluency, as will a degree from an English-speaking university. If you have basic knowledge of Greek, that can also help considerably. 

Salary and benefits 

So, how much can TEFL teachers earn from English teacher jobs in Greece? TEFL teachers in Greece can expect an average monthly salary ranging from €690-€1,233 (£690-£1,035/$800-$1200) in full-time teaching jobs. This salary range is influenced by the teacher's qualifications, experience and location. For example, a long-tenured English teacher in an international school in Athens will be paid more than a rookie teacher working in a private language school. 

It’s worthwhile checking your contract carefully in Greece before you commit to a job teaching English. Ensure you’re not agreeing to pay compensation if you leave the position early, as is an all-too-often occurrence for English teachers in Greece. Additionally, you should have written confirmation of any verbal promises an employer has made. Make sure you agree in advance on specifics such as pay, holidays, working schedules and other details – don’t rush anything contractual while teaching in Greece.

Talking of any potential promises or benefits, what incentives can you expect while you teach English in Greece? While teaching jobs in international schools lead the way in terms of incentives, language schools and state schools will at least offer health insurance and pension contributions. More elite institutions typically offer English teachers flights and accommodation as part of a job offer.

Living and working in Greece

Now that we know what TEFL jobs pay like in Greece, English teachers need to know how much it costs to live somewhere like Athens. What's it like to rent there? Do teaching jobs pay enough to cover the cost of living? Can you live an upmarket lifestyle while you teach English in Greece?

In Athens, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around £497/$651, while outside the centre it's £440/$576. Essential utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) cost about £158/$208 per month for an average-sized apartment. Internet service costs approximately £25/$33 per month. Athens has many affordable travel pass options, starting with a cheap day ticket.