Starting today, the digital work card becomes mandatory for 350,000 workers operating in critical sectors including commerce, energy, financial and insurance services, as well as in administrative and support activities in tourism. This represents the next step in the full implementation of the measure that began gradually in 2022.
Read: Work card: In effect today for an additional 350,000 workers
According to the Ministry of Labor, with this new implementation phase, approximately 2 million workers are now covered, representing 75% of the total workforce, while the measure has already functioned as a “brake” on undeclared work and violations of labor rights.
Inspections and hefty fines for violations
In the coming days, extensive and targeted inspections will begin at businesses in the new sectors included in the measure. Inspections will intensify during the holiday period, when increased seasonal employment is observed.
Fines for violations can reach up to €10,500 per employee, depending on the type of violation.
Workers included in the Digital Work Card system are those who provide work within company premises, in sectors such as electricity supply, natural gas, steam and air conditioning services.
Who is exempt from the digital work card
Exempt from mandatory implementation are technical specialists such as network electricians, drivers, machine operators, construction equipment operators, facility maintenance workers, supervisors and surveyors, whose work requires continuous mobility.
Also exempt are traveling salespeople, commercial representatives, advertisers and other specialists who do not work in a fixed location, as well as doctors employed by companies or insurance organizations in the same sectors.
The same applies to tour guides and tourist escorts, as well as workers in the car rental and leasing sector, who frequently travel even outside Greece.
Digital card: Record overtime hours after implementation
Measuring actual working hours through the Digital Work Card began in 2022 with supermarkets and banks, and expanded in 2025 to include tourism and food service.
Since then, declared overtime hours have increased by 1.8 million hours, showing significant employer compliance and reduction of undeclared work.
Just during January-July 2025, recorded overtime hours in sectors implementing the measure increased by 80% compared to 2024, reaching 3.5 million hours.
The largest increase was recorded in Tourism (+728%), followed by Food Service (+301%), while increases were also observed in retail trade and manufacturing.
The digital card measure, according to the Ministry of Labor, serves as a “tool for transparency and worker protection,” enabling precise calculation of working hours and overtime, while significantly contributing to reducing undeclared work.
