How to Become a Seafarer in Greece: A Practical Guide

Eve Church
28 Oct, 2025
09 Mins read

A passenger ship called Martide flying the flag of Greece and sailing past a Greek island

Thinking about starting your seafaring career in Greece? You’ll be building on one of the world’s most respected maritime heritages, supported by EU-compliant training standards and globally recognized certifications.

This guide outlines the Greece-specific routes, qualifications, paperwork, and licenses required to work aboard commercial vessels, whether those are cruise ships, cargo ships, tankers or even inter-island ferries. We hope this will be helpful in helping you chart your course from education to your first job at sea and your future career growth.

Which seafarer career options can Greek nationals pursue?

The majority of Greek seafarers choose to pursue one of three main maritime career streams, each offering distinct paths and opportunities at sea. These include the deck department, which focuses on navigation, vessel operations, and ship management, the engine department, responsible for maintaining and operating a ship’s mechanical systems, and the steward or hospitality department, which provides passenger services on cruise and ferry vessels.

Choosing the right stream early on helps you as an aspiring seafarer align your education, training, and certification with your long-term career goals within Greece’s world-renowned maritime industry.

Deck (Navigation/Operations): Bridge watchkeeping, passage planning, COLREGs, ECDIS/radar/ARPA, cargo ops, mooring, safety and environmental compliance.

Engine (Marine Engineering): Propulsion and power generation, fuel/lube systems, maintenance diagnostics, refrigeration/HVAC, pollution prevention, planned maintenance.

Steward (Hospitality and Service): Guest services, housekeeping, food and beverage operations, hygiene and sanitation standards, inventory management, and ensuring passenger comfort and safety on board.

You can start as a rating (Deckhand, Ordinary Seaman etc.) and upgrade later, or enter directly on an officer cadet pathway.

a man holding a line while working in a deck crew job on a cargo ship that is flying the Greek flag

You can begin your maritime career as a rating - for example, as a deckhand or Ordinary Seaman to gain valuable hands-on experience at sea while learning ship operations and safety procedures. Over time, you can complete additional training and sea service to upgrade to officer level.

Alternatively, you may choose to start directly on an officer cadet pathway, which provides structured academic and onboard training designed to fast-track you toward a professional officer’s license and leadership responsibilities on board.

What should you study at school in Greece to become a seafarer?

For upper-secondary students (ΓΕΛ/ΕΠΑΛ), build a foundation that will help you with college admission and later on your exams:

Mathematics & Physics: Core for stability, navigation, thermodynamics, and machinery.

English & Maritime English (SMCP): Precise radio/bridge/engine communication and clear reports.

ICT/Digital skills: Modern ships run on software (ECDIS, PMS, e-logs).

Useful extras: Technical drawing/CAD, basic electronics, geography/meteorology, and workshop/practical subjects.

In particular, good grades in math and science will help to strengthen your application to a maritime academy if you’re taking the officer cadet route.

Who oversees maritime training and certification in Greece?

Greece’s STCW Administration is the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy (ΥΝΑΝΠ) with the Hellenic Coast Guard involved in implementation. Education is delivered by Merchant Marine Academies (AEN - Ακαδημίες Εμπορικού Ναυτικού) and approved public/private training centers. Greek Certificates of Competency (CoC) are STCW-compliant and recognized across the EU and worldwide.

the Greek / Hellenic Coast Guard sailing past one of the Greek islands

How to become a marine officer in Greece

A typical Greek officer pathway looks like this:

Enroll in an AEN or approved maritime program

Deck: Nautical science/navigation (Bachelor or professional program).
Engine: Marine engineering/operation of ship power plants.
Steward: Hospitality and hotel management studies with specialized maritime training in guest service, hygiene, catering operations, and onboard safety procedures.

Top tip: Choose an approved institution so that you can be sure that your training and sea time will count toward licensing.

Complete STCW Basic Training (BT) early

Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention & Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities, plus Security Awareness (and Designated Security Duties if required).

Cadet sea phase with a Training Record Book (TRB)

Sail as a deck/engine/ETO cadet. Log watchkeeping, drills, and competencies and have them signed by the ship’s officers. The total cadet sea time commonly totals approximately 12 months across one or more trips, depending on your program and/or sponsor.

Stream-specific mandatory courses

Deck: ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, Bridge Resource Management (BRM), GMDSS (ROC/GOC as applicable), Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Advanced Firefighting (AFF), Medical First Aid/Medical Care (certificate level dependent).
Engine/ETO: Engine Room Resource Management (ERRM), High-Voltage safety, PSCRB, AFF, automation/diagnostics modules.
Steward: Crowd Management, Crisis Management and Human Behavior, Security Awareness, Food Safety and Hygiene, Customer Service, and Basic Firefighting and First Aid.

Medical and eyesight examinations

To work at sea, you must hold a valid seafarer medical certificate issued by an Administration-approved maritime doctor, in accordance with STCW and MLC requirements. This medical assessment confirms that you are physically and mentally fit for duty onboard and capable of performing your assigned tasks safely.

a young man having his heartbeat listened to by a doctor with a stethoscope

For those pursuing deck department roles, meeting color-vision standards is especially important, as it ensures you can correctly identify navigation lights, buoys, and signal flags - essential for safe watchkeeping and vessel operations.

Assessment and licensing

After approved education, sea time, and courses, you will undergo theoretical, oral, and practical/simulator assessments set under the national administration. Successful candidates will receive:

Deck: OIC-NW (II/1) and later Chief Officer/Master (II/2) with additional sea time, management-level courses, and further exams/orals.
Engine: OICEW (III/1) and later Second/Chief Engineer (III/2)
Steward: Certificates in Maritime Hospitality and Hotel Operations, complemented by recognized Crowd and Crisis Management and Passenger Safety training under STCW standards, enabling progression to senior roles such as Chief Steward or Hotel Manager on passenger and cruise vessels.

How to start working in a ratings job at sea in Greece

Starting your maritime career as a rating enables you to earn while you learn. The following steps are a guideline to become a rating in a job at sea in Greece:

Pre-sea plus STCW Basic Training at an approved center.

Add RFPNW (II/4) for deck or RFPEW (III/4) for engine to form part of a bridge/engine watch.

Join as Ordinary Seaman (OS), Wiper/Motorman, or catering rating; keep meticulous sea-service records (vessel, IMO number, GT/kW, dates, rank/duties, trading area).

After sufficient sea time and assessments, upgrade to Able Seafarer Deck (II/5) or Able Seafarer Engine (III/5). If you meet entry criteria later (education, exams), you can move on to an officer program and attempt your first CoC.

a young woman wearing working gear standing on the deck of a container ship

What seafarer documents and IDs do Greek seafarers need?

Before you sign on for your first seafarer job, you’ll need a fair amount of paperwork. Your company or manning agency will confirm the specifics but expect to gather the following:

Valid Greek passport.

Greek Seafarer’s Book - Ναυτικό Φυλλάδιο/Seaman’s Service Book - this is issued nationally.

Seafarer Identity Document (SID) where applicable.

STCW certificates (Basic Training, Security, and any role-specific CoPs such as PSCRB, AFF).

National CoC/CoP matching your rank/role once qualified.

Flag-State Endorsement when serving on foreign-flagged ships – your employer or manning agency will normally assist you with this.

Medical fitness certificate from an approved maritime doctor (STCW/MLC compliant), plus an eye / color blindness check if you are going to work in ship jobs on deck.

Vaccinations/health records – for example, malaria or yellow fever where routes require them.

Visas that correspond with the trading areas and port states the vessel will call at.

Employment contract via a reputable licensed crewing/manning agency.

Top tip 1: Always keep certified paper copies and secure digital backups of your seafarer documents, and regularly monitor their expiry dates to ensure nothing expires while you’re under contract.

a seaman's book and seafarer documents on a desk

*Top tip 2:* Create a Martide account and you’ll be able to upload all of your seafarer and travel documents into your profile so that they’re safe and easily accessible, even when you’re away working at sea.

Which endorsements will increase employability in the Greek maritime industry?

Aim for endorsements that match the most used vessels in Greece’s fleet – these are typically tankers, bulk carriers, ro-ro ships (roll-off / roll on ships), inter-island ferries, and cruise ships. Endorsements include:

Tanker familiarization and advanced tanker - oil/chemical/LPG/LNG tankers.

Passenger ship crowd and crisis management - especially relevant for Greece’s crucial ferry and cruise ship operations.

Ro-Ro operations for car carriers and ferries.

High-Voltage competence – for engine room and ETO jobs on ships.

Security: Ship Security Officer (SSO) or Designated Security Duties as required.

You’ll also be required to complete refresher training every five years for your core STCW certifications. While many companies provide sponsorship for additional endorsements once you’re employed, obtaining the relevant ones in advance can give you a competitive edge and help you secure a seafarer job more quickly.

How do seafarer assessments and maritime licenses typically work in Greece?

To summarize, in Greece, seafarer assessments and maritime licenses require the following:

You should train at an approved center so your course certificates are recognized by the Greek Administration.
You must accumulate documented sea time (TRB entries plus sea-service letters that list vessel/IMO, GT/kW, dates, rank/duties, and trading area. Must be signed by authorized officers).
You’ll sit competency exams under the national Administration (theory/orals/simulator) for your target certificate: OIC-NW/OICEW/ETO or Able Seafarer.
You need to secure flag endorsements when joining foreign-flagged vessels.

Keep an eye on updates from the Greek maritime authorities and training institutions, as certification and regulatory requirements can change over time.

a man standing on the dock next to a passenger ferry and looking at his phone

How do you get your first job at sea in Greece?

Most Greek seafarers sign up with licensed crewing agencies or directly with Greek shipowners/operators. A common route to getting your first seafarer job is as follows:

Complete medicals with an approved maritime clinic.
Finish mandatory STCW and pre-sea modules.
Prepare documents: passport, Seafarer’s Book, SID, certificates.
Pass company screening: English/SMCP tests like Marlins/CES, technical interview, simulator training for marine officer jobs.
Handle visas and flag paperwork with your manning agency/company.
Join a ship!

Tip: Always confirm that a crewing agency is properly licensed and has a solid reputation before signing on with them. Make sure your CV is clear and to the point, and ensure your sea-service letters are accurate, consistent, and can be easily verified.

How long will it take to find a job at sea in Greece?

The time it takes to find a maritime job for new Greek seafarers will vary by a number of factors including how long it takes you to complete your training, and the availability of seafarer jobs on your chosen vessel or in your role or rank. But roughly:

Ratings: Weeks to a few months for pre-sea plus Basic Training then join as Ordinary Seaman, Wiper or Motorman and upgrade with sea time to an Able Seafarer job, either on deck or in the engine room.

Officer (Deck): Often 2–3+ years including academy study and cadet sea phases before you gain OIC-NW (II/1).

Officer (Engine): Similar timeline before you gain OICEW (III/1).

Steward: Often 6–12 months of hospitality or hotel management training combined with maritime safety courses such as Crowd Management and Security Awareness. Entry-level positions include Assistant Steward or Cabin Attendant, with promotion to Chief Steward or Hotel Supervisor possible through sea experience and additional qualifications.

a woman working in a Chief Stewardess job in the restaurant of a cruise ship

What skills and personality traits do Greek maritime employers look for?

Qualifications and certifications may get you onboard a vessel, but it’s your soft skills and personality traits that will help you stay there. Employers in the maritime industry, both in Greece and abroad will appreciate young seafarers who display:

Clear English and SMCP for radio/bridge/engine communications.

Safety culture and teamwork - apply BRM/ERRM (Bridge / Engine Room Resource Management) principles daily and follow the Safety Management System.

Digital confidence – so you can handle**** ECDIS updates, PMS entries, email handovers, and reporting.

Professionalism - punctuality, respect when working in multinational crews, sound judgement.

Documentation discipline - impeccable TRB entries and sea-service letters are crucial.

A step-by-step Greek checklist for maritime jobs

Pick your department: Deck, Engine, or Steward.
Choose your entry route: Officer (AEN/approved academy) or rating (pre-sea and Basic Training).
Complete STCW Basic Training at an approved center.
Secure a maritime medical from an approved doctor, including a color-vision test if you’re planning to work in a job on deck.
Obtain your Greek Seafarer’s Book (and SID if applicable), create scans/copies.
Land a cadetship or rating job via a licensed crewing agency or shipowner.
Finish sea phases and keep your Training Record Book up-todate.
Complete mandatory departmental courses - ECDIS, Radar/ARPA, BRM/ERRM, PSCRB, AFF, GMDSS, High-Voltage etc.
Sit competency exams for your CoC/CoP under the national Administration.
Add endorsements, keep refreshers current, and build sea time toward higher licenses.

a young woman in her apartment using her laptop with an open notebook next to her with the words 'maritime exams' written on it

Greek maritime careers: the bottom line

Greece’s seafaring pathway is structured, STCW-aligned, and globally respected. Whether you begin your maritime career as a rating or as an officer cadet, your success rests on approved training, documented sea service, a valid medical, and disciplined record-keeping.

Choose a fleet type early: tankers, bulk carriers, ferries or cruise ships, and offshore support vessels, among others and pursue the endorsements that match it.

Keep certificates valid, store digital scans safely (in Martide!), and guard your Training Record Book with your life!

Good luck and if you’re looking for your next seafarer job, don’t forget to take a look at Martide’s maritime job vacancies!

Disclaimer: The information above is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing and is provided for informational purposes only as a starting guide. Requirements change and can vary by authority, flag, company, and vessel type. We highly recommend checking the latest guidance from Greece’s *Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, your chosen maritime academy/training provider, and your employer or crewing agency before making decisions.*