The traditional and often uncomfortable question "how much did you earn in your previous job?" is being phased out. This practice, which frequently traps workers in low past wages, is being replaced by a pay transparency framework aimed at objectively assessing skills.

The New Legal Framework in Greece

In accordance with EU Directive 2023/970, transposed into Greek law via Law 5316/2026, employers are no longer permitted to seek information regarding a candidate's pay history. These new regulations come into effect on November 1, 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Labor.

Key aspects of the change include:

  • A ban on questions regarding current or previous earnings.
  • A requirement to inform candidates about the starting pay or salary range of the position before the first interview.
  • Enabling transparent negotiations based on market data.

Why Salary History is Being Abolished

Using a previous salary as the basis for a new offer often perpetuates wage inequalities. An employee might have had low earnings due to initial inexperience or the limited financial capacity of a former employer. The #EndSalaryHistory campaign highlighted that decoupling new offers from the past allows for compensation based on the actual value and responsibilities of the new role.

Negotiation Strategies for Candidates

Despite the ban on history-seeking, discussing financial expectations remains legal and necessary. Candidates can prepare by following these steps:

  • Focus on the responsibilities of the specific position rather than past comparisons.
  • Research market salary levels for similar roles, considering industry and experience.
  • Prepare specific examples of contributions, such as completed projects or improved processes.
  • Clarify whether the discussion concerns gross monthly or annual earnings and what the benefits package includes.

Honesty remains critical, as reporting artificially inflated previous earnings can damage a candidate's credibility. Higher compensation can be justified by the requirements of the new role without providing inaccurate data about the past.