(MIHALIS KARAYIANNIS/EUROKINISSI)

Nurses in Greece, among the lowest-paid in Europe

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@fyinews team

30/03/2026

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  1. Greece ranks among the lowest in Europe in terms of nurses’ salaries (€1,000–€2,100 per month, gross), with the cost of living limiting their purchasing power, according to a new study.
  2. By contrast, countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are considered to offer more balanced wages (€2,900–€4,600) relative to the cost of living.
  3. Low pay, combined with heavy workloads, has led many nurses to emigrate, reducing the capacity for adequate staffing in the National Health System (ESY).

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Greece ranks among the lowest in Europe in terms of nurses’ earnings, according to a recent study by the Panhellenic Trade Union Federation of Nursing Staff (PASONOP) titled “Comparison of Nurses’ Salaries in European Countries and Best Countries to Work.”

Salaries range approximately from €1,000 to €2,100 per month (gross), while the rising cost of living significantly limits workers’ purchasing power. A similar picture is observed in other countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, such as Italy and Lithuania, where wages remain relatively low (around €900–€2,700) and do not ensure a high standard of living.

According to News24/7, 72.7% of Greek nurses surveyed said they would not recommend the profession to a young person.

By contrast, in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, nurses’ salaries range between €2,900 and €4,600, with the cost of living more balanced relative to income, offering greater professional security.

Low pay in Greece, combined with heavy workloads and staff shortages, has led many nurses to emigrate. This trend directly affects staffing levels in the National Health System (ESY), placing additional strain on its operation.

Indicative of the situation is that, according to News24/7, 72.7% of Greek nurses say they would not recommend the profession to young people, reflecting strong dissatisfaction within the sector.

Source: News24/7

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