Greece is intensifying efforts to reverse the "brain drain" that saw thousands leave during the financial crisis, launching new incentives to draw Greek expatriates back into the domestic labor market, Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus has announced.
Speaking during a joint session of Parliament’s Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad and the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Ms. Kerameus outlined a three-pillar plan.
The strategy aligns with the Foreign Ministry’s 2024–2027 initiative for the Greek diaspora.
She emphasized that the state has a duty to welcome back Greeks who left the country in search of better prospects during the crisis years.
"Attracting these bright minds back is a national goal that transcends party lines," Ms. Kerameus said, calling on lawmakers to contribute their ideas.
The first pillar of the plan focuses on making Greece a more attractive place to work.
The country’s unemployment rate fell to 8.3% in April, reaching its lowest level in 17 years. Since 2019, more than 500,000 jobs have been created, and the average monthly wage has risen by 28.3% to 1,342 euros, with 53.7% of workers now earning over 1,000 euros.
Other measures aimed at improving labor conditions include a minimum wage increase to 880 euros (up 35.4% since 2019), a 5.4 percentage point cut in social security contributions, expansion of the digital work card system, new protections for working parents, and stronger labor inspections to enforce workplace safety.
The second pillar provides direct incentives for returning Greeks, including a 50% income tax reduction for seven years for those who return after living abroad for at least five years.
A streamlined licensing process has also been established specifically for Greek doctors returning from the United States.
The third pillar centers on targeted outreach and job matching abroad.
Major "Rebrain Greece" events were recently held in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, London, and Stuttgart, drawing participation from over 120 Greek companies and more than 5,000 interested expatriates.
A similar mission is planned for December in New York, with a possible additional European stop earlier in 2025.
General Secretary for Labor Relations Mr. Nikos Milapidis emphasized that attracting talent from abroad is a top priority for the government.
"Greeks are returning not only for emotional reasons but because the domestic labor market is becoming increasingly competitive," Mr. Milapidis said. Between 2010 and 2023, 659,547 Greeks left the country, but 422,688 have returned, effectively reversing the brain drain by 64%, according to Eurostat figures cited by Ms. Kerameus.
"The labor market is maturing. Now is the time to welcome back the skills and experience that left," Ms. Kerameus concluded.