What the collective agreement says in Greece
Since 1 April 2026, a new sector-wide collective agreement for hospitality has been in force. It sets the minimum. Nobody is allowed to pay you less than this.
- Head cook (archimageiras). €1,100 gross a month.
- Cook, grade A and B. €950 gross a month.
- Cook, grade C. €940 gross a month.
The agreement includes an 8% increase for 2026 and another 4% for 2027. It sounds good. But the head cook, the person carrying the whole kitchen on their shoulders, has a basic wage that is only just over €1,000.
Season or city: two different markets
In Greece there isn't one wage. There are two markets.
In the season, on the islands and in tourist areas, pay is usually noticeably above the agreement. Often with accommodation and meals. The reason is simple: demand for good cooks is high and time is short. The owner pays so as not to be left without a kitchen in August.
In the city, all year round, the numbers are closer to the agreement. You gain stability, social insurance contributions and a schedule. You lose money.
How much they pay abroad
This is where the numbers change. The amounts below are indicative for a chef de partie, gross, based on 2026 figures from salary websites. They vary from city to city and from kitchen to kitchen.
- Switzerland. About 4,400 to 6,000 Swiss francs a month, usually with 13 salaries a year. It is consistently the country with the highest wages for cooks in Europe.
- Germany. About €2,300 to €3,000 a month for a chef de partie. A commis starts at around €1,800 to €2,200.
- Dubai. A chef de partie's basic salary is often only 3,000 to 4,000 dirhams, roughly €750 to €1,000. But it is tax free, and it usually includes accommodation, transport and meals.
Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Austria and the Netherlands are also high on the list.
Where cooks are paid the worst
In Europe, the lowest kitchen wages are in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Greece, unfortunately, is closer to them than to Western Europe.
And that is the hard part. A Greek cook works in a country with huge tourism, with full restaurants, with menu prices going up every year. And their pay doesn't follow.
What the numbers don't tell you
A big salary doesn't necessarily mean you will live better. Before you compare, put everything else on the table.
Is it worth leaving?
There is no single answer. But there are questions you should ask yourself before you go.
- Do you speak the language? Or at least English well enough to work without stress? In the kitchen there is no time for translation.
- Are you leaving for the money or for the experience? If it is only the money, work out how much you will really have left.
- Do you have a plan? Two years to save money and gain experience? Or to stay for good?
- Can you handle being far away? Loneliness in a foreign country, after a twelve hour shift, is real.
Questions and Answers
What is a cook's basic wage in Greece?
Under the hospitality sector agreement in force since 1 April 2026, a grade A and B cook earns at least €950 gross, a grade C cook €940 and a head cook €1,100. These are the minimum amounts.
Which country pays cooks the best?
Switzerland. A chef de partie there earns about 4,400 to 6,000 Swiss francs gross a month, usually with 13 salaries. Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway and Germany are also high.
Where are cooks paid the worst in Europe?
In the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Greece is closer to these countries than to Western Europe, despite its huge tourism.
Is it worth working as a cook in Dubai?
The basic salary isn't as high as many people think, but it is tax free and usually includes accommodation and meals. For a young cook who wants to save money and gain experience, it can be worth it.
Does seasonal work pay better in Greece?
Usually yes, and often with accommodation and meals. But you have to count the whole year, not just the months of the season, and make sure all your days are declared.