Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers actually come from
In a city the size of Athens, customers find hairdressers through several routes. Word of mouth still matters most - if someone likes your work, they tell friends and family. People also search online when they need a haircut or styling, typing the service name and their area into Google or other search engines. Some customers walk in because they see a sign or a shop front. Friends and colleagues at their workplace might recommend someone they trust.
Your own social circles - people you already know in Athens - will likely be your first customers. They are the easiest to reach. After that, people searching online for 'hairdresser near me' or 'haircut Athens' become important. If you have a professional page with your location, photos of your work, prices, and a way to book, you show up in those searches and you give people a reason to choose you over someone else.
Setting a price that works for Athens
Pricing your services is one of the first real decisions you make. You need to know what customers in Athens are actually paying for hairdressing. Look at what other hairdressers in the city charge - visit a few salons, check their websites or social media, ask friends what they pay. You will get a sense of the range. A basic haircut in Athens is not the same price as in a small town or a wealthy suburb.
When you set your own prices, think about what you need to earn per hour to make this work alongside or instead of another job. Factor in that not every hour you are available will be booked - there will be gaps. Talk to other independent hairdressers in Athens if you can. Many are willing to share roughly what they charge. Do not undercut drastically to get customers fast; you will regret it when you are working for very little money. Start somewhere reasonable for your city and skill level, and adjust as you get feedback and as your customer base grows.
Tax and money matters for independent hairdressers in Greece
When you earn money as an independent hairdresser in Athens, you have obligations. You need to register as self-employed or as a business, depending on what form you choose. Greece requires this for tax purposes. The exact rules and what paperwork you file depend on your situation - your income level, whether you work from home or a salon, what legal structure you pick. Contact the local tax office (Adikinito Grafeio Filon) in your area of Athens, or speak with an accountant who knows Greek tax law. This is not something to guess about.
When customers pay you, you will need to report that income. If you use Websta and accept card payments through Stripe, the money goes directly to your own bank account - you see exactly what came in and when. Keep clear records of what you earned and from whom. You will need these records when you file taxes or if you are asked to show your income. Set aside money for tax payments as you earn it, so you are not caught short at tax time.
Your first customers and what to expect
Your first ten or fifteen customers will almost certainly come from people you already know or who know someone who knows you. A friend books an appointment, you do good work, they mention you to another friend. That is how it usually starts. Do not expect a steady stream of strangers right away. Building a customer base takes time.
Your early customers will likely be more forgiving and more flexible than people who book with an established salon. They understand you are starting out. Use this time to get confident with your process, learn what works, and get comfortable talking about money and schedules. Ask for honest feedback - what worked, what did not. Take photos of your work if customers are willing. You will need these later for your profile and for showing people what you can do.
Common mistakes in the first months
Many people who start hairdressing on the side or as independent work price themselves too low because they are nervous or want quick customers. Then they realize after a few months that they are working a lot for not much money, and it becomes demoralizing. Avoid this by setting a reasonable price from the start.
Another common problem is not showing up consistently or being hard to reach. If someone wants to book with you and cannot find you, cannot message you easily, or cannot see your prices, they book with someone else instead. The easier you make it to find you and book, the more work you get.
Some people do not think about the paperwork side early enough and then get stressed later. Sort out your registration and record-keeping from the beginning, not six months in. It is less painful that way.
How a Websta profile helps you earn
A profile on Websta works as a simple online business page. You set up your services and prices, upload photos of your work, and people can see exactly what you offer and how much it costs. They can book directly through the page, and you get the payment - through Stripe to your own bank account - when the work is done. You control the prices. You control the schedule. You own the customer relationship.
Having a profile means people searching on Websta for hairdressers in Athens can find you. It means you have a professional page to send to anyone who asks about your work - a link to your prices, your booking calendar, photos. It means you are not just word of mouth anymore; you are also discoverable online. This matters more as your customer base grows, because you need a way for new people to learn about you and book without you having to chase each person individually.
Making it work: a realistic view
Earning real money from hairdressing in Athens is possible, but it is not passive income and it is not fast. You have to be good at the work, you have to be easy to reach and book with, and you have to be patient while your customer base builds. The first two or three months are usually slow. By month four or five, if you have done the work right, you should have a small steady stream of regular customers and some new bookings coming through search and word of mouth.
Whether this becomes your main income or stays a side income depends on how much you want to work and how much you can earn per customer in Athens. Both are realistic options. Focus on doing good work, being professional about scheduling and money, and being easy for people to find and book with. That is what creates a real earning stream.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I earn as a hairdresser in Athens?
- That depends on how many customers you book, what prices you set, and how many hours you work. There is no fixed amount. A customer pays you for each service. The more bookings you get and the more hours you work, the more you earn. You set your own prices based on what customers in Athens pay and what you need to earn.
- Do I need to register as self-employed to work as a hairdresser in Greece?
- Yes, you need to register with the Greek tax authorities. The exact process and paperwork depend on your situation. Contact your local tax office (Adikinito Grafeio Filon) in Athens or speak with an accountant who knows Greek law to understand what you need to do.
- How do I get my first customers as an independent hairdresser?
- Your first customers usually come from people who already know you - friends, family, colleagues. Tell them you are offering hairdressing services and set up a way for them to book. Once you have done good work for a few people, word spreads. After that, an online profile helps new customers find you through search.
- Why should I use Websta instead of just telling people about my work?
- A Websta profile gives you a professional page with your services, prices, and booking calendar in one place. People can find you through search when they are looking for a hairdresser. You have a link to send to anyone who asks. It makes it easy and professional for customers to book and pay, and the money goes straight to your bank account.
- How long does it take to build a customer base?
- There is no set timeline. Most people see slow progress in the first few weeks, then a small but growing stream of bookings by month two or three. It depends on how well you do the work, how easy you are to find and book with, and how much effort you put into being professional and visible. Building a real customer base takes time and consistent work.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.