Greek Seafarer Salaries 2025: Ranks & Vessel Types | Taliro.gr

Updated: 2025-12-04

Greek shipping still offers salaries far above the domestic average, especially for officers, but comes with long rotations away from home, heavy NAT contributions and a cyclical market. This guide shows realistic pay ranges by rank and vessel type, the gap between Greek and foreign flags, key allowances, and what really shapes net take-home pay. Use the gross-to-net calculator and the net-to-gross calculator to estimate take-home pay from the ranges below.

Salaries on Greek-flagged deep-sea vessels (PNO)

Greek-flagged ships follow PNO collective agreements, but real earnings rise through fixed allowances and hazardous cargo bonuses.

Monthly gross ranges by rank

Real-world pay snapshots

• Master on tanker: ~€13,500/month + €3,300 standby.
• Chief mate on bulk carrier: ~€8,450 gross.
• AB on deep-sea vessel: ~€1,600 gross + task allowances.
• Amounts exclude hazardous cargo bonuses or special voyage uplifts.

Standby or rejoin bonuses are common when returning to the same vessel, especially on LNG and tankers.

Cadets (deck and engine) typically sign 6–9 month training contracts; confirm whether onboard pay is supplemented by travel or training-day pay and that sea-service days are clearly logged for license progression.

Uplifts by cargo type

• LPG and chemical tankers: ~+20% on officer pay, often crew too.
• Crude oil tankers: higher standby and hazardous cargo pay.
• Shuttle tankers / FPSO: strong safety and watchkeeping bonuses.
• Container carriers: steadier pay, fewer special allowances.

Coastal shipping: pay and conditions

Passenger ferries pay less but bring crews ashore more often.

Contract figures for 2025–26

What to expect in coastal shipping

• More frequent time ashore, but heavy summer seasonality.
• Extra allowances on routes calling specific foreign ports (+15%).
• Passenger handling and safety drills increase hours during peaks.
• Seatime on ferries counts toward promotions, but pay scales rise slower than deep-sea.

Contracts and working hours

Typical contract length

• Deep-sea: 4–9 months, legal maximum 11 continuous months. Many companies use 6–8 months on / paid leave off.
• Coastal: shorter rotations; some lines run week-on/week-off patterns.
• Most Greek seafarers spend 6–8 months per year at sea.
• Offshore projects (FPSO, drillships) often run steadier 4/4 or 6/6 week rotations with higher bonuses.

Working hours and overtime

• Standard 40 hours/week under PNO and ISM.
• All extra orders are paid as overtime, often with double uplift for urgent work.
• Daily workload often rises due to maintenance, cargo ops and safety inspections.
• Accurate hour logging is key for ISM compliance; keep copies before signing the monthly wage account.

Allowances and pay progression

Fixed allowances that move gross pay

• Hazardous cargo allowance: roughly +20% on dangerous cargoes.
• Clothing allowance: ~€70/month.
• Daily meals: ~€24/day.
• Compensation for tank cleaning or high-risk zones.
• Standby for tankers or LNG can add €500–€1,500/month depending on load schedule.

Pay progression and performance bonuses

• Officers on deep-sea vessels see rapid jumps; from 3/O to master pay can rise by more than 150%.
• In coastal shipping, raises are slower and tied to demand and tourism.
• Performance bonuses reward safety metrics, fuel efficiency or stable crews.
• On LNG/LPG, bonuses for clean SIRE/PSC reports are common; ask whether they apply to all crew or only deck/engine management.

Greek flag or foreign flag

Greek flag

• PNO collective agreements with often higher officer pay than ITF baselines.
• More social benefits and preference for Greek officers due to experience.

Foreign flag and NAT

• Individual contracts in USD or EUR (usually USD). Ranges vary sharply by cargo type, with LNG/chemical typically paying the highest.
• Mid-rank salaries can be lower than Greek flag but with shorter hitches.
• Greek seafarers must pay full NAT contributions (employee + employer) regardless of flag, which cuts net income.
• On LNG/chemical vessels, total compensation for masters or chief engineers can reach €20,000–€22,000 per month including standby and rejoin bonuses.

Taxation and net take-home

What shapes the net amount

• Gross salary plus allowances.
• NAT contributions, which remain heavy even on foreign-flag contracts.
• Special seafarer tax rate: 15% flat for officers, 10% for non-officers.
• Standby or bonuses that may be taxed differently. See the salary calculation guide for detailed tax and contribution math with examples.

Quick net-income picture

• On foreign flags, NAT contributions eat a large chunk of net pay even with high gross amounts.
• On Greek flags, officers benefit from higher gross pay and perks, but contributions are still a major deduction.
• Example: $9,000 gross on a foreign flag → NAT contributions roughly 25%–27% converted to EUR, special seafarer tax 15% for officers (10% for non-officers) → net around $5,300–$5,800 before bonuses.
• USD/EUR FX matters; ask whether pay is fixed in EUR on payment date or based on monthly FX.

Market cycle, currency and remittances

Freight market impact

• Strong freight cycles (e.g., 2023–2024) push wages and extra bonuses higher.
• In downturns, hiring slows and raises pause; coastal shipping is less volatile but tied to tourism.
• Offshore and LNG are less cyclical than dry bulk but demand extra certifications (DP, LNG cargo).

Payment currency and remittances

• Greek flag: paid in euros. Foreign flag: most often in USD.
• Remittances typically move through bank transfers in euros or dollars depending on the contract and FX preference.
• Check conversion costs and swift fees; they can remove 1%–2% of net pay every month.

Insurance and healthcare

• NAT covers pensions (old age, disability, survivors) but contributions are considered high relative to final benefits.
• Oikos Navtou and EFKA offer medical coverage in Greece plus emergency provisions abroad.
• Many seafarers add private savings or insurance to strengthen retirement income.
• Confirm the company’s P&I covers crew medical and repatriation in case of injury.

What to verify before signing

• Termination clauses: confirm if there is a penalty for early departure and when repatriation is allowed.
• Training: whether STCW renewals, DP or LNG courses are covered by the company.
• Wage split: how much is paid onboard vs. remitted to Greece.
• Bonus protection: ensure standby, cargo and safety bonuses appear in the Letter of Employment.

Pros and cons of a shipping career

• Pros: High officer pay, fast progression, steady demand for certified Greek officers, transparent contracts.
• Cons: Long time away from home, difficult social routine, high NAT contributions, highly cyclical market.

Key Takeaways

✅ Officers on Greek-flag hazardous cargo ships achieve the highest gross pay.
✅ NAT contributions materially reduce net income on any flag and must be priced into contracts.
✅ Coastal shipping offers better life balance but lower pay and strong seasonality.
✅ Freight cycles and performance bonuses can swing total income for the same rank.

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The information in this article is based on Greek legislation and maritime agreements for 2025. For precise calculations and advice, consult a crewing agent or tax advisor.