The Greek government has approved the hiring of 19,489 new permanent public sector employees for 2026, with a major focus on bolstering the country's healthcare, defense, and public safety services.
The hiring plan was presented to the cabinet by Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios.
The health sector will receive the largest number of new staff, with 5,228 positions for doctors, nurses, and support personnel.
Key security sectors will also be reinforced.
The national defense ministry will add 1,517 positions, while the ministries for Citizen Protection and Climate Crisis will hire a combined total of nearly 2,000 new police cadets, special guards, and firefighters.
The cabinet also approved a measure to double the funding for a public employee reward program in 2025 to €40 million, with performance-based bonuses that could equal a full month's salary for some workers.
For the first time, local government employees will be eligible for the program.