Register as unemployed - Unemployment cards

Any individual can register as unemployed, aged 15-74 years, who: a) is not engaged in any business or profession, b) is capable of working and also available to the labour market, and c) is actively seeking employment.

The registration of unemployed is carried out online through the OAED e-Services, access to which is made by using TAXISnet codes. In-person attendance is not required at the local PES.

If there is a recent entry in the register, individuals shall be identified through the use of TAXISnet codes and completion of Social Security Number (AMKA). Otherwise, it is necessary to first register in the system and fill in some basic information.

When submitting the online application for registration in the unemployment register, the individuals fill in the necessary fields for registration of the unemployed. There is a choice of selection of the Service (EPC2), to which they may submit their application. According to the current legal framework, this Service can either be of their place of residence or of their last employment (in case of termination of employment). For this reason, there is the option of entering the address of residence and last job.

PWDs PROPERTY

In this case, the type of certificate of this capacity is attached (CPC certificate or decision issued before 01/09/2011 by the Primary Health Committees of former IKA, given it is valid for life and the percentage of disability is stated). For more information click HERE

• instructions for registration in the unemployment register (Unemployment Card)

• instructions for entering the online services

• submission of an online registration application

With the SUBMISSION of the online application, an unemployment card is issued, with an option of printing both the card as well as the registration e-application. The unemployment card receipt that results after submitting the e-application is a valid unemployment card and can be used as proof of unemployment.

The unemployment card is valid for a quarter from the initial registration.

Those registered in the unemployment registries, who do not receive a subsidy and belong to the PWDs category, are not obliged to renew their card up to three (3) months after the expiration of the disability supporting document they provide. If the invalidity supporting document expires and they do not present its renewal, they are automatically deleted from the unemployment register. Therefore, if they do not renew the disability supporting document, they are obliged to re-register with the obligations of the common unemployed or re-register as PWDs, once they present a renewal of the disability certificate, from the date they request their registration in the unemployment register.

The unemployment card is valid for three months from the initial registration or last renewal, in which case it must be renewed. In the case of PWDs, the unemployment card is valid for up to three (3) months after the expiration of the disability supporting document submitted.

ATTENTION: From 1/7/2021, the period of renewal of the Unemployment Card is modified. The possibility of renewal will start 20 days before the expiration date of the Unemployment Card and will last until its expiration date. After the expiration of this period, the unemployment card is automatically deleted. In this case, citizens may proceed with the issue a new unemployment card.

For the smooth transition into the new renewal period, an additional renewal period of 5 working days after the expiration of the unemployment card will apply for the months of July and August 2021.

The renewal of the unemployment card shall be carried out exclusively in the following ways:

• Online (see instructions), using the TAXISnet codes, through:

  • the Unified Digital Portal of Public Administration gov.gr

  • of the OAED online services (e-Services)

  • through the application for mobile phones and tablets OAEDapp

• Through the Citizens' Service Centers (KEP): may apply to KEP, presenting the TIN number, Social Security Number (AMKA) and identity card (police ID, passport, driver's license or insurance book).

As for the beneficiaries of regular unemployment subsidy, the unemployment card remains valid for three (3) months after the subsidy ends, at which time it must be renewed (provided that the required declarations of presence are made in a timely manner during the subsidy). Exceptional extensions of the subsidy do not change the expiration date of the unemployment card.

See in detail the table with the rights of job seekers from the possession of the DYPA digital card here.

When registering in the digital registry, trading parties are obliged to:

• Active Job Search *
• informing the competent Service in case there is a reason to delete an unemployment card
• informing the competent Service in case of going abroad more than twenty (20) days per calendar year or more than twenty (20) consecutive days in different calendar years
• informing the competent Service in case of a change in their identification data and in case of a change in their personal data
• mandatory completion of an Electronic Questionnaire (Profiling) before the preparation of an Individual Action Plan
• cooperation with a Work Advisor for the preparation of an Individual Action Plan
• declaration of participation or intention to participate in a vocational training or education program. Those registered in the digital register must update within ten (10) days after the first renewal of the unemployment card from the start of the program or during the first presence in person at the competent Service after the start of the program.

*Active Search includes a) contact with a public and private employment office, b) sending a recruitment application directly to employers, c) exploring job prospects through trade unions, etc., d) participation in competitions for the purpose of recruitment, e) participation in counseling, vocational training, business actions and skills development programs, f) securing licenses or resources for undertaking business actions.

When registering in the unemployment register, the unemployed are obliged to:

• Active Job Search *

• inform the competent PES in case there is a reason for the deletion of the unemployment card

• informing the competent PES in case of going abroad for more than twenty (20) days per calendar year or more than twenty (20) consecutive days in different calendar years

• informing the competent PES in case of a change in their identification data and in case of a change of their personal data,

• mandatory completion of an Online Questionnaire (Profiling) prior to the preparation of an Individual Action Plan (IAP)  (Here a relevant link will be provided for Profiling)

• collaboration with an Employment Consultant for the drafting of an Individual Action Plan (IAP) (Respectively, here a relevant link that will refer to the Counselling will be provided)

• declaration of participation or intention to participate in a vocational training or education program. Those registered in the unemployment registries must inform within ten (10) days after the first renewal of the unemployment card from the beginning of the program or during the first in-person presence at the competent Service after the start of the program.

* Active Search includes a) contact with public and private employment offices, b) sending a job application directly to employers, c) exploring job prospects through unions, etc., d) participating in recruitment competitions, e) participating in counseling, vocational training, business activities and skill development programs; (f) obtaining licenses and/or resources for undertaking business activities.

The attestations shall reflect the period of unemployment from the date of registration to the date of issue of the attestation when the unemployment card is valid. For deleted unemployment cards it is possible to capture the time period between their issuance and their deletion. In this case, the traders themselves register the period of unemployment for which they wish to issue an unemployment certificate.

In addition to the general certificates of unemployment time, the following types of certificates are provided:

• certificate of financial transactions for use in the Tax Office
• certificate of subsidized unemployment 
• certificate of personalized approach
• certificate of participation in advisory actions

In addition, the possibility of issuing certificates relating to health care is provided: 

• unemployment certificate for the provision of health care to registered persons aged up to 29 years (Law 2639/1998) 
• unemployment certificate for the provision of health care to registered persons aged 29-55 years (Law 2768/1999) 
• unemployment certificate for the provision of health care to registered persons aged over 55 years (Law 2434/1996)

Finally, the possibility of issuing an unemployment certificate for the establishment of pension entitlement due to old age (optional long-term unemployed insurance, according to article 10 of Law 2874/2000) is provided through the above-mentioned online confirmation.

 All the above-mentioned certificates are provided online or through the KEP.

To obtain a certificate, click here

Indicative reasons for deletion from the digital register of the Greek Public Employment Service: 

• taking up employment or any form of employment, including starting a business or participating in a business activity that gives rise to an obligation to insure, either through the intermediary of the Greek Public Employment Service or through the actions of the traders themselves
• non-renewal of the digital card
• non-availability to the labor market for any reason (illness, going abroad more than twenty (20) days per calendar year or twenty (20) consecutive days in different calendar years, administrative detention, imprisonment, etc.
• conscription
• retirement in his own right with a monthly amount of more than 495.75 euros
• expiration of the residence or work permit (for third-country nationals)
• study, apprenticeship, internship (it should be declared by the interested parties in order to examine possible reasons for exemptions based on the applicable legislation)
• main insurance in OGA (Agricultural Insurance Organisation) or NAT (Mariners' Retirement Fund) 

Occasional employees have the possibility of recognizing continuous unemployment time, from which the time they were employed is deducted, as well as any period during which they were not registered in the Digital Register. 

According to the applicable legal framework (Article 92 of Law 4461/2017), as in force, the conditions are as follows:

• The number of days of employment they have completed within the twelve months preceding their application shall not exceed seventy (70).
• At the date of commencement of the twelve-month period prior to the application, they should have been registered in the Digital Register (for example, in order to submit an application  on 11/1/2021, there should have been an active digital card  on 11/1/2020).
• The digital card should not have been deleted for any reason other than recruitment within the 12 months preceding their application.

The application for recognition of continuous unemployment for those who meet the above conditions is made to the Greek Public Employment Service to which they belong.

As long as the emergency measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus last, the request is sent exclusively via email accompanied by a Declaration with its original signature.

Pursuant to the applicable legislation (article 34 of Law 4554/2018), those registered in the unemployment register of the Greek Public Employment Service who participate or will participate in an education or vocational training program, remain registered and their time of education or vocational training is counted as unemployment time, if they submit to the KPA2 of competence, a Solemn Declaration in which they declare that they cumulatively meet the following conditions (see here the Solemn Declaration): 

• they are registered in the unemployment register for at least four (4) months in the last twelve months before the start of the program. If the vocational education or training programs are of a duration of up to six (6) months, without receiving an educational allowance, the above condition is not required (Article 134 of Law 4808/2021). 
• By declaring the details of this program to the Greek Public Employment Service no later than ten (10) days after the first renewal of the unemployment card from the start of the program or at the first time after the start of the program in person presence at the competent Service
• has been at least two (2) calendar years since the end of any previous participation in an education or vocational training program

During their education or vocational training, they have the same rights and obligations as other registered citizens.
Those who do not meet the mentioned conditions are deleted from the unemployment register for as long as the program lasts and have the right to re-register upon completion of the program.
During the training, only those who are entitled to an Ordinary unemployment subsidy and remain registered for as long as their subsidy lasts.

Attention: We inform you that with Article 134 of Law 4808 (Government Gazette 101 Issue A’101/19.06.2021) entitled "Participation of the unemployed in short-term education programs -Amendment of Article 30 of Law 4144/2013", a third subparagraph is added at the end of par. 2 of article 30 of Law 4144/2013 (A’ 88) as follows: "For registered unemployed persons who participate in vocational education or training programs lasting up to six (6) months, without receiving an educational allowance, the condition of case a’ is not required to be met and remain registered in the Unemployment Registers of the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) provided that they meet the conditions of cases b’ and c’.".