Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers in Greece come from
Clients for translation work in Greece come from many places. Locally you will find work through neighbours, friends and former colleagues who need documents translated, or through people at your workplace who want help with emails or presentations. Schools, universities and private language schools often need translations or proofreading of student documents and course materials. Small businesses and shops need product descriptions, websites or contracts translated when they work with suppliers or customers abroad.
Online search and marketplaces bring clients from across the country and abroad. People search for translators by language pair and town, or post a task on marketplaces when they need a quick job. Word of mouth is important: a satisfied client in a nearby town will recommend you to others. Finally, there are occasional opportunities from NGOs, cultural organisations and local government bodies that need translated notices or leaflets.
- Neighbours, friends and workplace contacts
- Schools, universities and language schools
- Local businesses and shops
- Online search and marketplaces
- Word of mouth and local organisations
How to set your first price and talk about money
Your first price should balance your skills, the local market and what you can realistically deliver. Common ways to charge are per word, per hour or per project. Estimate how long a task takes including revision and communication time. If in doubt, start with a simple rate for short jobs and increase as you gain experience and references.
When discussing money, be explicit about scope, deadlines and revisions. Put key terms in writing: what is included, turnaround time, and whether you charge for extra revisions or rush work. For new clients consider requesting a partial upfront payment for larger jobs or a clear payment deadline on delivery. Always confirm the currency and how the client will pay.
- Choose per word, per hour or per project
- Estimate total time and include revision time
- Put scope, deadlines and revision terms in writing
- Consider partial upfront payment for larger jobs
What your first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers are rarely international agencies. You will most likely get a mix of small local clients and private individuals. Expect friends, neighbours, fellow students, staff from your current workplace, small local businesses needing simple translations, and occasional online clients who found you through search or a marketplace listing.
Early jobs tend to be short and practical: identity documents, CVs, university forms, short website pages, product descriptions, or simple business correspondence. These jobs give you a chance to build a portfolio and collect a few references that will make it easier to win larger projects later.
- Friends, neighbours and workplace contacts
- Students and private individuals with documents
- Small businesses with simple needs
- Online marketplace clients looking for quick jobs
What to sort out when taking money as an independent translator
You need to clarify tax and social security obligations before you take regular payments. For authoritative, up-to-date answers ask the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) which taxes you must register for and what invoicing/reporting you must do. Ask AADE whether you need to register for VAT and how to submit invoices and declarations. For social security ask EFKA (Unified Social Security Fund) about registering as self-employed and your contribution obligations.
Also check with your local chamber of commerce or municipality if any local registration is required for your activity. If you will issue receipts or invoices, ask AADE how to issue them correctly and whether digital reporting systems apply to your case. For questions about consumer contracts and electronic payments you can consult the Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman or a qualified accountant familiar with translators.
- Ask AADE what tax registrations and invoicing/reporting apply to you
- Ask EFKA about registering and social security contributions
- Check local municipality or chamber of commerce for any registrations
- Consult a qualified accountant for setup and ongoing compliance
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Early mistakes are predictable. Many new translators underprice their work and then struggle to raise rates. Others accept unclear briefs and experience scope creep - small jobs turn into long unpaid tasks. Late payments are common; without written terms it can be hard to collect fees. Poor time estimates lead to missed deadlines and stress.
You can reduce these risks by setting explicit terms, asking for partial payment on larger jobs, making simple contracts or written confirmations, and tracking time and invoices. Keep copies of all correspondence and be realistic about how much time you can do alongside another job.
- Underpricing and difficulty raising rates
- Unclear briefs and scope creep
- Late or missing payments without written terms
- Overcommitment while working alongside another job
How a Websta profile fits into your workflow
A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to clients and that people can find through a local marketplace. The profile looks like a small website and can list services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set the prices for your services.
Websta also operates a marketplace where people nearby search by service and place or post a task for providers to make offers on. The marketplace data entry for Greece is: {"category":"translators","country":"Greece","countryCode":"GR","matrixPath":"/marketplace/translation"}. Use the profile link on emails, social media and messaging so prospective clients see your services, availability and payment options in one place.
- A shareable page that lists services, prices and booking
- Contact form and online booking to collect enquiries
- Card payments paid out to your bank via Stripe
- Marketplace presence for local searches and task posts
Frequently asked questions
- Can I work as a translator in Greece part-time alongside a job?
- Yes. Many translators start part-time. Be realistic about capacity, set clear hours for client work, and check tax and social security obligations with AADE and EFKA to ensure compliance.
- Do I need to register with Greek authorities before I take paid work?
- You should ask AADE about tax registration and invoicing rules and ask EFKA about social security registration. A qualified accountant can advise how and when to register based on your expected income and activity.
- How should I ask for payment on my first jobs?
- State the total, payment method, currency and deadline in writing. For larger jobs request a partial upfront payment. Clarify what happens if the client needs revisions or misses the deadline for payment.
- Will Websta handle payments for me?
- Websta supports card payments that are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices and use your profile as the public page clients can book from or pay through.
- What is the quickest way to find the first clients?
- Start with your existing network - friends, neighbours, colleagues and local businesses - and list a clear profile or advert they can share. Use a marketplace listing or a Websta profile to make it easy for clients to see services and book.
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.