Greek Supreme Court: Retirement is Not Grounds for Dismissal in Public Sector

The Greek Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) has ruled that the retirement of a public sector employee is not a legitimate reason for dismissal or salary reduction. The decision favors retired employees of the "Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Greater Volos" (DEYAMV).

The B1 Labor Division of the Supreme Court, in its decision no. 83/2026, ruled that regulations providing for the automatic termination of an employment contract due to retirement have been abolished. The decision also states that retirement cannot lead to the reclassification of an employee to the first salary scale.

Lawyers Spyros Balatsoukas and Dimitris Valavanis, who handled the case, stated that the decision resolves the legal issue and confirms the need for a comprehensive regulation.

DEYAMV had filed an appeal against decisions that favored dismissed retired employees, but the Supreme Court rejected the appeal.