The New Law 46445/2023 (Government Gazette Β' 2989/06-05-2023) announces the granting of special paid leave, for voting on the parliamentary elections of May 21st, 2023. Our experts have collected and translated the relevant measures which are summarized below.

1. All craft, trade and industry enterprises, holdings and operations of the private sector, as well as those that generally employ staff in the private sector, are obliged to grant their staff special paid leave of absence to exercise their right to vote during parliamentary elections of May 21st, 2023.  
2. The number of days which is granted for the above purpose, and which covers the absolutely necessary time for travelling to the place to vote, is determined as follows:

Α. For employees that 6-days work apply:

  1. those who will travel, in order to exercise their right to vote, at a distance of 100-200 klm, one (1) day of leave is granted.
  2. those who will travel, at a distance of 201- 400 klm, two (2) days of leave is granted.
  3. those who will travel, at a distance of 401 klm and above, three (3) days of leave is granted, as long as they travel  solely by car, according to their solemn statement.
  4. Those who will travel to the islands, for which there is no road access, the number of days of leave will be examined on a case-per-case basis, depending on the distance and the special conditions of travelling, and will not exceed three (3) days of leave.

Β. For employees that 5-days work apply:

  1. those who will travel, in order to exercise their right to vote, at a distance of 200-400 klm, one (1) day of leave is granted.
  2. those who will travel, at a distance of 401 klm and above, two (2) days of leave is granted, as long as they travel  solely by car, according to their solemn statement.
  3. Those who will travel to the islands, for which there is no road access, the number of days of leave will be examined on a case-per-case basis, depending on the distance and the special conditions of travelling, and will not exceed three (3) days of leave.

3. For those who will travel to vote and would work on Sunday May 21st, this is considered to be paid leave in addition to what is previously stated.
4. Elections leave cannot be offset against annual leave.