Athens runs on a handful of strong industries. If you’re job-hunting or weighing a move, here’s where the opportunities (and the big-name employers) are.
Top industries & employers
Shipping & Maritime
Greek shipowners (Angelicoussis, Tsakos, Star Bulk), the port of Piraeus (COSCO)
Greece controls one of the world's largest merchant fleets, and Piraeus is a global shipping hub. Maritime law, brokerage, management and finance cluster in and around Athens — a deep, internationally connected sector.
Tourism & Hospitality
Major hotel groups, Aegean Airlines, a vast boutique-hotel and short-let scene
Tourism is a pillar of the Greek economy and booming post-pandemic. Athens' hospitality, F&B, guiding and short-let management offer abundant work — and a common entry point for foreign residents.
Tech & Startups
Workable, Blueground, Persado, Beat (legacy), Hellas Direct, Plum
Athens' startup scene has matured fast, with strong SaaS, fintech and proptech players and a growing VC presence. Lower costs plus the 50% tax break are pulling founders and engineers — an English-friendly, fast-growing ecosystem.
Energy & Renewables
Public Power Corp (PPC/ΔΕΗ), Mytilineos/Metlen, TERNA Energy, HELLENiQ
Greece is investing heavily in solar and wind, grid interconnections and gas transit. The energy transition and the country's role as a Southeast-European energy hub drive engineering, project-finance and trading roles.
Real Estate & Construction
LAMDA (Hellinikon mega-project), Dimand, Golden-Visa developers
A construction and redevelopment boom — led by the giant Hellinikon coastal project and Golden-Visa-fuelled property demand — keeps real estate, architecture and construction unusually active for the region.
Food, Wine & Agriculture
Olive-oil and wine producers, food exporters, a thriving specialty F&B scene
Olive oil, wine, honey and Mediterranean produce anchor a strong agri-food export sector, while Athens' modern-Greek culinary scene fuels restaurants, food-tech and artisanal production.