Malia Workers Guide

Do you want to work in Malia? Holidays to Crete aims to offer a guide to working in Malia with tips for workers, accommodation for workers in Malia and travel insurance for workers for the season.

One of the privileges of being an EU national is that you are free to work and live in any EU member state for an unlimited period of time, this includes Malia and Crete.

Here at Holidays to Crete we want to make sure you work legally and have fun in Malia or any other resort in Crete, including Stalis and Hersonissos. If you have decided to work in Malia, follow this easy guide and it will help you through your first season in any resort in Crete.

If you need a room in Malia then contact us for prices and details. Firstly its recommended that you book a hotel/holiday for the first 1 or 2 weeks so you have somewhere to stay when you get into Malia. This will help you find your feet and look for a job and permanent accommodation for the rest of the season.

The Malia Jobs and Vacancies guide

There are plenty of jobs in Malia and other resorts in Crete. Its best to get into resort early as it means you can get the pick of the best jobs. The jobs in Malia range from flyering to getting resident DJ. Below we have a basic breakdown of each job.

The easiest job to get is being a PR or Kamaki , this involves getting tourists into your bar, its one of the easiest jobs to get in Malia but you need to be able to speak to people and not be shy. Starting work at 10PM and working through till 3-4AM you get paid approx 20-30 euros per night. You usually get to drink for free at your bar.

Next job you can get in bar work, although this is a lot harder to get in many places and you must have experience, you will usually get a trial night or two just to see if you know what you are doing. The Greeks like to employ more female barmaids as most local barman are obviously male. You can get slightly more money in bar work but it depends on bar to bar so expect 30 euros per night unless you get otherwise.

Another job in Malia that's getting more and more popular is selling tickets and flyering for certain events. There are always huge events going on at Malia Slides, Summer Dreams at the factory and Foam parties at Camelot Club with many more over the season. You get paid on commission for ticket selling and usually a flat rate for flyering. The better seller you are the more money you can earn. If you are up for the job we can supply contact details for event organisers direct to your email the day before departure.

For those that want an amazing tan trying beach work which involves selling sunbeds on the beach, getting people onto your beach and getting them to buy drinks and making sure they come back. You have to be very good with people and have a decent beach body. Long work usually starting at 8/9AM until 6/7PM but decent money the longer you work on a beach.

For those who want day work you could also try waitressing which can be a nice little earner, especially if you get tips. Many restaurants in Malia require waiters and waitressing. Average pay is again 30 euros with possibility of tip money.

One of the most sought after jobs and hardest jobs to get in Malia is being a DJ or MC, you have to know your stuff here and be prepared to go for trial nights and have a good collection of up to date music that reflects what the people of Malia want to hear. There is a huge variety of music in Malia so you cant go far wrong with much. Most clubs have resident Greek Djs but they are always looking for a second or an MC to get the crowd going. Pay is roughly 30-40 euros depending on which bar or club you work for.

If you want extra money you could also try your hand at being a transfer rep, this involves taking people from the airport on a Tuesday and Friday, pay is usually 30 euros per return trip from Heraklion Airport, but can work out as a good income, but remember you wont get the benefit of drinking for free as you work like you would being a PR or bar worker.

The best way to get these jobs is to be prepared, if your a DJ make sure you take your collection of music and don’t rely on what the club may have, if you've done bar work before you will need to be confident in working behind a Greek bar which is completely different, if you want to be a PR, transfer rep or work on the beach you cant be shy, you have to be forward and be able to talk to everyone.

Staying legal and paying taxes

EU nationals who intend to stay in Greece for more than 3 months need to obtain a residence permit, for which application must be made within 3 months of arrival date in Greece.

To apply for a residence permit you have to go to the nearest police station, which is in Hersonissos, or to the Immigration Bureau in Heraklion. Take with you a copy of your passport, 4 photographs, proof of a health insurance ( your EHIC card or IKA health book) and proof that you are financially self-supportive by way of a bank exchange slip, a fixed address (no hotel) and revenue stamps, which are available at the street kiosks.

Allow 4 to 6 weeks for formalities to be handled; in the meantime you have to take a health examination at a public hospital that has to be endorsed by the local public health office. You have to take this endorsement to the police station or to the Immigration Bureau, where you will be handed your permit, which is valid for a term of 5 years. If you need help with this your employer will usually be able to assist in this department.

Non-EU nationals can apply for a visa extension, which is a permit that allows you to stay in Greece for up to 6 months. You have to apply at a Greek consulate abroad or at least 20 days in advance at the Immigration Bureau in Heraklion. Take with you a copy of your passport, 4 photographs and proof that you are financially self-supportive by way of a bank exchange slip.

Legally, if you are working for an employer, he must pay IKA for you, which covers you for anything that happens to you during working hours, medical and otherwise. It is not in your interest to be employed without an IKA contribution. IKA contributions cost your employer around 30% of your salary, but nowadays most employers go legal as fines are heavy. If you are employed full-time, you’ll collect about 20 to 25 stamps a month, according to the deal you make with your employer. IKA will send you a statement every 3 months with your amount of IKA stamps for the previous 3 months.

An IKA health book entitles you to free medical treatment at any doctor under the IKA scheme plus free hospital treatment. Prescriptions given under this scheme have a personal contribution of 25% at any pharmacy. To apply for an IKA health book a minimum of 50 stamps of IKA contributions are required. For a health book application, take your statements from IKA with you that show your contributions, a copy of your passport, 2 photographs and your EHIC card.

If you are seasonally employed and you have paid your IKA contributions for 2 successive years with a minimum of 100 stamps a year, you are eligible for unemployment benefit the following winter. For an application go to OAED in Iraklio, carrying your tax return for the previous year, an IKA statement of the contributions you have paid for the previous 2 years, your IKA health book, your passport, your residence permit and a statement from your employer, confirming when you stopped working.

Your claim will be processed and usually after 2 months you’ll receive your first benefit, which you have to go and collect. This is usually an amount of around 320 Euro monthly.

Please note this information is subject to change and provided as a guide only, although we don’t recommend or condone the following statement you can read into it what you like

“Most people who work in Malia just go out and get a job and let their employers deal with the legal side of things. So basically if the business owner wants you to be registered to work legally and pay taxes they will sort it out for you and if they don’t they will normally take the consequences of their actions.”

Pack your bags!

When your working abroad for 5 to 6 months you have to make sure you only take what you need. The baggage limit on most aircraft is 20 or 25kg and checking staff aren’t sympathetic to your plight if your standing there with a 40kg suitcase.

You can buy almost every English product including make up, deodorants and English food at the supermarkets so don’t worry there. If you really need your home comforts you can box it all up and get somebody at home to post it when you have found somewhere to live.

When it comes to taking money for your season you wont really need as much as you think, firstly take enough for your 1 or 2 weeks holiday but after a day of settling in its important to go looking for a job, then you can relax safe in the knowledge you will have an income. You sometimes get paid weekly so make sure you budget. As an approximation we would say try to get together 600-800 euros and that will see you fine for your season working in Malia.

Holidays2Crete.com > Guides to Crete > Work In Malia Guide >

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