Greece - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Greece and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Greece and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Greece or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Greece came into force on May 1, 1983. This agreement was replaced by a revised agreement that came into force on December 1, 1997.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Greek pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Greece, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Greek old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Greek survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Greek benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Greece will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Greece's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Convention are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider your periods of contribution to the Greek pension program as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Greece after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Greek benefits
The pension program of Greece consists of the General Social Security Scheme (IKA), the special scheme for agricultural workers (OGA) and the special scheme for professionals and the self-employed (TEBE).
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Greece, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of days. The entitlement conditions vary according to your age, length of time of insurance, and whether you are a man or a woman.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, to qualify for a Greek benefit under the Agreement, Greece will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods credited under the Greek pension program.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Greek benefits:
- Greece/Canada Agreement – Application for Greek Old Age/Invalidity Benefits (CAN-GR 1(OA-I))
- Greece/Canada Agreement – Application for Greek Survivor’s Benefit (CAN-GR 1(SVR))
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Greece
If you live in Greece and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Greece/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP5054-GRC)
- Greece/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-GRE)
- Greece/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-GRE)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Greece, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Greece's social security
- EFKA Unified Social Security Fund (in Greek only)
- Agricultural Insurance Organisation (OGA)
Resources
- Agreement on social security between Canada and the Hellenic Republic
- General overview of Greece’s social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Convention on Social Security between Canada and the Hellenic Republic and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Convention, the wording and provisions of the Convention will prevail.
Page details
- Date modified: