Do I need to register with Greek authorities to accept paid pet care work?

If you accept paid work regularly, check with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - about registration, invoicing/receipts and VAT rules, and with EFKA about social insurance. Ask each authority what applies to the scale and frequency of your services.

Can I do pet care alongside a salaried job in Greece?

Many people start pet care alongside a job. Confirm with AADE whether you should register as self-employed and with EFKA about social insurance implications. Also check any rules your employer may have about outside work.

How should I handle cancellations and late requests?

State your cancellation and late-request policy clearly when you confirm a booking. Decide whether you charge a partial fee for late cancellations and communicate that in writing. A clear policy reduces disputes.

How do card payments reach me on Websta?

Card payments made through Websta are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices on your profile and receive payouts to the bank account you connect.

What is the easiest way to find the first customers?

Start with neighbours, local community groups, colleagues and school parents. Share a clear profile link showing services, prices and booking options and ask satisfied customers for referrals.

How to make money as a pet care provider in Greece - practical steps

Updated October 21, 2026

Where paying customers come from

In Greece, paying customers for pet care often come from several familiar sources rather than one single channel. Neighbours and local residents are the easiest first market - people living nearby need dog walking, pet sitting or drop-in visits. Workplaces and colleagues are another source; staff with pets sometimes look for nearby carers whose hours match their own.

Schools and after-school groups can generate demand for pet care at certain hours if parents need help around commutes. Word of mouth matters: a few reliable jobs shared in your local community, social media groups or building noticeboards can lead to repeat work. Online search and local listings catch people who look for a provider quickly; many customers check profiles and available times before contacting someone.

Neighbours and local residents
Workplaces and colleagues
Parents via schools and community groups
Online search, local listings and social media
Word of mouth and repeat customers

How to set a first price and talk about money

Start by estimating your cost - travel time, transport, any equipment, time on-site and what you want to earn per hour. Compare local offers you can find online or in community groups, then set an introductory price that reflects your time and costs. Be prepared to revise the price after you understand how long jobs actually take.

When you talk about money, be clear and specific. State what your price includes - length of visit, number of pets, feeding, walking distance, basic grooming if offered - and what costs more. Ask for payment terms up front: when and how you expect to be paid, cancellation rules and whether you charge extra for holidays or late requests. A short written confirmation by message or email avoids misunderstandings.

Estimate your costs and time before setting a price
Be explicit about what your fee covers
Agree payment and cancellation terms at booking
Revisit the price after a few jobs

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten customers are often people in your immediate network: neighbours, friends of friends, and colleagues who need occasional help. Their tasks are usually short and simple - dog walks, feeding, short pet sits while owners work or travel. Many early customers book irregularly rather than daily, and a handful become repeat bookers if they trust you.

Expect variability: some customers will ask last minute, others will book weeks ahead. Early on you will learn common time windows and the typical duration of visits in your area. Keep records of which types of jobs repeat most; those indicate where to focus outreach and refine pricing.

Neighbours and personal contacts dominate at the start
Most early jobs are dog walks, feeds and short sits
Some customers become repeat clients; many are one-off
Record job types and times to spot patterns

Taking payments and paperwork in Greece

If you work independently in Greece, check tax and social insurance requirements before you accept regular paid work. Contact the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - to ask how to register as self-employed or if you must issue receipts or invoices for your activity. Ask AADE about VAT thresholds and filing obligations that may apply to the volume and type of services you provide.

Contact the Single Social Security Entity - EFKA - to ask about social insurance contributions and how to register as a person performing services. Also check with your local municipality about any local trading rules or permits that apply to providing services in private homes. If you use an online platform for bookings or card payments, keep clear records of transactions for tax filing.

Ask AADE how to register and what invoices/receipts you must issue
Ask EFKA about social security registration and contributions
Check with your municipality about any local rules or permits
Keep clear records of payments for tax purposes

What tends to go wrong in the first months

New pet care providers commonly underestimate travel time and the real duration of visits, which reduces effective hourly earnings. Miscommunication about what a service includes causes disputes - for example whether walks include playtime or only a short leash walk. Last-minute cancellations without clear policy also create gaps in income.

Other common problems are not tracking payments and failing to set boundaries on hours. Avoid accepting too many last-minute requests that interfere with other commitments. Early on, invest time in clear terms, prompt confirmations and a simple calendar to avoid double-booking and confusion.

Underestimating travel and visit time
Unclear service scope and expectations
No cancellation or payment policy
Double-booking without a calendar

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to anyone that lists your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. It serves as an online reference people can find when they search nearby providers. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe; you set the prices on your profile.

Use the profile link on local social media groups, in messages to neighbours, on workplace bulletin boards and in replies to online searches. Treat it as a public business card - keep service descriptions factual, update available times and record bookings so you avoid double commitments.

A shareable page with services, photos, contact form and booking
Payments to your bank account through Stripe
You control prices and available times
Use the link in local groups and messages to prospective customers

Quick checklist to start

Begin by testing the market with a few neighbours and friends, set a clear simple price and offer a written confirmation for each booking. Contact AADE and EFKA to confirm registration and reporting rules for independent work in Greece. Keep a calendar, set basic cancellation and payment terms, and record every payment.

Create a Websta profile and use it as the page you send when people ask. Expect that building a steady client base takes time and consistent work. Reassess your price and services after the first dozen bookings and adjust what you advertise where you get the best response.

Test with neighbours and colleagues first
Confirm tax and social insurance rules with AADE and EFKA
Use a calendar and clear payment/cancellation terms
Set up and share a Websta profile link

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register with Greek authorities to accept paid pet care work?: If you accept paid work regularly, check with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - about registration, invoicing/receipts and VAT rules, and with EFKA about social insurance. Ask each authority what applies to the scale and frequency of your services.
Can I do pet care alongside a salaried job in Greece?: Many people start pet care alongside a job. Confirm with AADE whether you should register as self-employed and with EFKA about social insurance implications. Also check any rules your employer may have about outside work.
How should I handle cancellations and late requests?: State your cancellation and late-request policy clearly when you confirm a booking. Decide whether you charge a partial fee for late cancellations and communicate that in writing. A clear policy reduces disputes.
How do card payments reach me on Websta?: Card payments made through Websta are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices on your profile and receive payouts to the bank account you connect.
What is the easiest way to find the first customers?: Start with neighbours, local community groups, colleagues and school parents. Share a clear profile link showing services, prices and booking options and ask satisfied customers for referrals.

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.

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