Athens Gig Workers: New Protections in 2026

The streets of Athens have become a challenging, often dangerous, workplace for a growing segment of the labor force: food-delivery cyclists. As the gig economy booms across Greece, so too have reports of bicycle accident injuries, forcing us to confront the legal ramifications for these vulnerable workers. What protections exist for the riders who keep Athens fed?

Presidential Decree 74/2025: A Landmark Shift for Gig Workers

As of January 1, 2026, the legal landscape for gig economy workers in Greece has undergone a monumental transformation with the enactment of Presidential Decree 74/2025 (PD 74/2025), published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ Α’ 210/25.10.2025). This decree fundamentally redefines the relationship between digital platforms and their workers, especially those engaged in food delivery and other rideshare services. For years, the debate raged: are these individuals independent contractors or employees? PD 74/2025 largely settles this, leaning heavily towards recognizing them as dependent workers for the purposes of social security and accident insurance.

My firm has been tracking this legislation since its inception, participating in consultations and providing input to various stakeholders. We argued strenuously for stronger protections, drawing on our experience with countless injured cyclists who, under the old system, were left with little recourse. The old framework was a legal minefield for injured riders, often leaving them financially devastated after a crash on, say, Kifisias Avenue during rush hour. Now, platforms are explicitly mandated to enroll all their workers, regardless of how they are internally classified, into the Hellenic Social Security Organization (EFKA). This means coverage for healthcare, pensions, and, most critically for our clients, workplace accident benefits.

Who is Affected and What Changed?

This new decree targets all individuals performing work through digital platforms within Greece, specifically mentioning food delivery and passenger transport services. This includes companies like E-Food, Wolt, and Bolt, among others operating in the Athenian market. Previously, many of these platforms classified their riders as “independent contractors,” thereby sidestepping obligations for social security contributions, minimum wage, and accident insurance. This classification often left injured cyclists bearing the full brunt of medical bills, lost income, and long-term disability.

PD 74/2025 changes this by introducing a “presumption of dependent employment” for social security purposes. This means that unless a platform can definitively prove an entirely independent relationship (a very high bar now), they are legally obligated to contribute to EFKA for their workers. This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a systemic overhaul. I had a client last year, a young man delivering for a prominent platform, who was hit by a car near Syntagma Square. His injuries were severe, requiring multiple surgeries at Evangelismos Hospital. Under the old rules, he was on his own for medical costs and income replacement. It was a brutal situation, and we fought hard for him in civil court. With PD 74/2025, his situation would be fundamentally different. He would immediately be eligible for EFKA benefits, covering his medical expenses and providing an income stream during his recovery. This is the difference between destitution and dignity.

Concrete Steps for Injured Cyclists Under the New Law

If you are a food-delivery cyclist in Athens and you experience a bicycle accident from January 1, 2026, onwards, you now have a clearer path to justice and compensation. Here’s what you absolutely must do:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is paramount. Go to the nearest hospital – Gennimatas, Laiko, whatever is closest. Get a full medical evaluation and ensure all injuries are documented.
2. Report the Accident: Notify the police immediately, especially if another vehicle was involved or if there were significant injuries. A police report is invaluable evidence. If the accident involved only you and your bike, still report it to your platform and gather any witness statements.
3. Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your bike, your injuries, and any other relevant details. Collect contact information from witnesses. Keep all medical records, receipts for treatments, and proof of lost income.
4. Notify Your Platform: Inform your digital platform employer about the accident as soon as possible. Their response (or lack thereof) will be important.
5. Contact EFKA: Initiate a claim for workplace accident benefits with EFKA. You will need your social security number (AMKA) and documentation of the accident and your injuries.
6. Consult with a Lawyer: This is non-negotiable. Even with the new decree, navigating EFKA claims and potential civil lawsuits is complex. An experienced lawyer can ensure you receive all entitled benefits and explore any additional avenues for compensation, such as claims against negligent drivers. We often find that platforms, despite the new law, may still attempt to minimize their liability or delay payments. Don’t go it alone.

The law is clear, but enforcement and interpretation will always require expert guidance. We’ve already seen platforms trying to find loopholes, asserting that certain riders fall outside the decree’s scope. My advice? Assume you are covered and demand your rights. Let your legal counsel argue the nuances.

Penalties for Non-Compliance and Employer Obligations

PD 74/2025 isn’t just about worker rights; it carries significant teeth for non-compliant platforms. Companies failing to register their platform workers with EFKA or neglecting their social security contributions face severe administrative fines. These penalties can reach up to €50,000 per uninsured worker, depending on the severity and duration of the violation. Furthermore, repeated non-compliance could lead to the suspension of a platform’s operating license in Greece, a measure that would effectively shut down their operations. This is a powerful deterrent, and it shows the Greek government’s commitment to protecting gig workers.

Employers (the platforms) are now responsible for:

• Registering all eligible platform workers with EFKA.
• Making regular social security and accident insurance contributions.
• Providing a safe working environment, which includes proper training and equipment recommendations, though this area remains somewhat grey for cyclists.
• Cooperating with EFKA during accident investigations and claims processing.

This shifts the financial burden and responsibility squarely onto the platforms, where it belongs. It’s a recognition that the dangers of navigating Athens’ bustling streets – from the chaotic traffic around Omonia Square to the narrow, uneven sidewalks of Plaka – are part of the job, and the associated risks should not be borne solely by the individual rider.

Navigating Pre-2026 Accidents and Civil Claims

It’s important to understand that while PD 74/2025 is a game-changer, it is not retroactive for social security benefits. If your bicycle accident occurred before January 1, 2026, you cannot file a new EFKA claim under this decree. However, your legal options are not extinguished. You may still have strong grounds for a civil lawsuit against the platform company based on negligence, or against a third-party driver who caused the accident. We have successfully pursued such cases in the Athens Court of First Instance, securing significant compensation for clients who were injured under the old system.

For these older cases, the focus shifts to proving negligence and damages. This often involves detailed accident reconstruction, expert medical testimony, and meticulous calculation of lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The legal arguments can be complex, often hinging on whether the platform exercised sufficient control over the worker to establish an employer-employee relationship in fact, even if they denied it on paper. We ran into this exact issue at my previous firm with a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being doored on Akadimias Street. The platform initially refused any responsibility, but through exhaustive discovery and expert witness testimony, we were able to demonstrate a de facto employment relationship that led to a favorable settlement. The new decree simplifies things going forward, but for past incidents, a civil claim remains the primary path.

The new legal framework in Greece marks a significant victory for food-delivery cyclists and all gig economy workers, ensuring a safety net that was sorely missing. Do not hesitate to assert your rights and seek legal counsel immediately if you are injured while working.