Greece : Help and advice abroad

Public employment services

Public employment services in Greece are provided by the Greek Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED). Fields of activity include the promotion of employment, vocational guidance and training and the supply of social security provision. They also help groups of the population facing social exclusion in the labour market.

Advice on individual employment rights can be obtained from any OAED office, or a local office of the Greek Ministry of Employment and Social Protection.

Contact details for European Employment Services advisers in Greece are available through EURES - European Job Mobility Portal. EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide information and guidance to jobseekers interested in working in Greece.

Higher education careers support

Careers services in Greek higher education are a recent development and aim to assist students and graduates with finding employment. All Greek universities and technical education institutes (TEIs) have careers services.

Careers services offer a range of information, including details of postgraduate study and funding, employers, the labour market and occupational information. Careers advice is also available and some universities seek to organise work placements. Services are usually restricted to students enrolled at the individual universities concerned, but it may be helpful to contact the counselling and advice services at relevant institutions. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Piraeus careers service websites (English language versions available) give an overview of the services available in Greece.

Help in an emergency

The British Embassy in Greece (in Athens) can provide a range of help for UK citizens who find themselves in emergency situations, including:

• loss or theft of passport;
• arrest or imprisonment;
• political emergencies or natural disasters;
• serious illness;
• being victim of crime;
• searching for missing friends and relatives;
• dealing with the sudden death of a relative or friend.

Other emergency contact numbers in Greece are:

• 112 - emergency (general);
• 100 - police;
• 166 - ambulance;
• 199 - fire department.