Petme sitter guide · Greece

Pet sitting in Greece: 22 questions answered for 2026 sitters

Athens sitters in expat-heavy neighbourhoods now charge double the rates of five years ago: and demand is still rising faster than supply.

Greece's pet sitting market is mid-sized but growing fast, especially in Athens and Thessaloniki where dog ownership has risen sharply since 2022. This guide answers what new Greek sitters need to know.

Apply to be a Petme sitter in GreeceFree to join. Verification in 24 to 48 hours. No upfront fees.
Up to 90%
of every booking kept by the sitter
20,000
vet expenses covered per booking
200k+
pet parents on the platform
4.9 / 5
average sitter rating
Earnings snapshot

What Petme sitters actually earn in Greece

You keep up to 90% of every booking. Petme's service fee is 10 to 15%, among the lowest in the industry. The numbers below are the live rate bands in Greece. Sitters set their own price within these bands, and most active sitters earn €275 to €860 per month, depending on the mix of services and how many overnight stays they take.

ServiceRate rangePer
Dog walking8 to 15walk
Drop-in visit8 to 15visit
Pet boarding (at sitter's home)20 to 40night
House sitting (at owner's home)25 to 50night
Doggy day care15 to 30day

Top Greece cities for sitter demand right now:

AthensThessalonikiPatrasHeraklion

Ready to set up a profile and pick your rates? Start your application. Verification typically returns in 24 to 48 hours.

The practical side

Everything sitters in Greece need to know before signing up

Earnings are only half the picture. Below are the tax, scheduling, protection, and payout realities of running a Petme sitter profile in Greece. We've written them out the way an experienced sitter would explain them to a friend.

Cashback for high performers

Beyond the up to 90% you keep on every booking, Petme pays cashback on top. The more you sit and the stronger your reviews, the larger the cashback tier you unlock. High-performing sitters with consistent 5-star reviews and steady booking volume earn the biggest bonus. Automatic, no claim paperwork, paid out alongside your normal weekly payouts.

Apply in Greece

Protection on every booking

The Petme Protection Plan covers up to 20,000 in vet expenses on every reservation. Automatic on every booking. No separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. The 24/7 support team sits behind it for emergencies, so you are never alone with a problem at 3am.

Seasonal demand

Greek demand peaks during the August holiday window, Easter weekend, and Christmas-New-Year. Island markets (Crete) see a longer summer demand stretch.

Payouts within 2 days

Petme releases your payout automatically once a booking is marked complete. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. No invoicing, no chasing the owner. The platform takes care of it.

Set your own schedule

Accept only the bookings you want. Pause your profile any time. There are no minimum hours and no schedule lock-in. Most Petme sitters in Greece start while holding another job and only go full time once their calendar fills naturally.

Live within 48 hours

Most new sitters in Greece go live within 24 to 48 hours of submitting ID verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1 to 2 weeks if your profile has decent photos, a written bio, and a competitive rate for your city.

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FAQ

22 questions, answered straight

These are the questions Petme sitters in Greece actually ask before signing up, and the ones they wish they had asked sooner. Each answer is specific to Greece, not a generic template.

How much do pet sitters earn in Greece?

Earnings depend on the mix of services and the hours you put in. Active Petme sitters in Greece typically earn €275–€860 per month. Sitters who lean into overnight boarding and house sitting reach the top of that range, while drop-in and dog-walking-only sitters sit in the lower half. You keep up to 90% of every booking: Petme's service fee is 10-15%.

What does a typical week look like for a Petme sitter in Greece?

A common pattern: 3–5 dog walks during weekday lunchtimes, 1–2 drop-in visits in the evenings, and one overnight stay across the weekend. That's roughly 12–15 hours of actual paid time per week and clears €73+ before factoring in repeat clients. Sitters who go full-time stack multiple boarding stays back-to-back.

How much do dog walkers make in Greece?

Dog walking pays €8–€15 per walk on Petme. A 30-minute neighbourhood walk is typically priced near the lower end; longer walks, multi-dog walks, or walks in busy city centres command the upper end. You set your own rate when you build your profile.

How much does overnight pet boarding pay in Greece?

Boarding at the sitter's home pays €20–€40 per night, and house sitting (you stay at the owner's home) pays €25–€50 per night. Boarding is where most full-time Petme sitters concentrate their income because the per-booking value is the highest.

How does Petme's service fee work?

Petme takes 10-15% from each completed booking and the sitter keeps up to 90%. There's no signup cost, no monthly subscription, and no charge to keep your profile live. The fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the Petme Protection Plan that covers every booking automatically.

How fast do payouts arrive in Greece?

Payouts are released automatically once a booking is marked complete in the Petme app. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. You don't need to invoice the owner or chase payment: the platform handles it end-to-end.

What protections do sitters get on every booking?

Every booking is covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to 20,000 in veterinary expenses if something happens to the pet in your care. It's automatic on every reservation: no separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. Petme also offers 24/7 customer support so you're never left handling an emergency alone.

Do I need any qualifications or licences to start?

No formal qualifications are required to apply as a Petme sitter. You need to be 18 or older, own a smartphone capable of running the app, complete ID verification, and demonstrate genuine experience around animals during your profile review. Some local rules apply for commercial-scale boarding: see the country-specific question below.

How quickly can I get my first booking?

Most new sitters in Greece go live within 24–48 hours of submitting verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1–2 weeks if your profile has at least 4 good photos, a written bio, clear service descriptions, and a competitive rate for your city. Sitters who add availability over a major holiday (Christmas, summer break) often book their first stay within days.

Can I pet sit alongside my regular job?

Yes: most Petme sitters in Greece start while working full-time elsewhere. Dog walking fits into lunchtime windows; drop-in visits work around evenings; weekend boarding stacks on top of a Monday-to-Friday office job. You set your own availability and accept only the bookings that fit your schedule.

What are the busiest cities for pet sitting in Greece?

Athens dominates by booking volume, followed by Thessaloniki. Patras and Heraklion are smaller but reliable, with lighter sitter competition.

Do I need to register as self-employed for pet sitting in Greece?

For regular pet sitting income, yes. Register with AADE through TaxisNet and EFKA for social contributions. The paperwork can be done online.

Do I need to declare pet sitting income for tax in Greece?

Yes. Annual income tax return through AADE; EFKA contributions paid separately. Expenses are deductible under standard self-employment rules.

How does pet sitting in Greece compare to other gig work?

efood and Box riders in Athens report €5-8/h after costs. Petme pet sitting clears €9-14/h effectively, with boarding pushing the average up.

What's the going rate for boarding in Athens vs Thessaloniki?

Athens sits at €20-40 per night, Thessaloniki at €18-35, smaller cities at €15-30. Summer Athens sees a 10-15% peak.

When is the busiest season for pet sitters in Greece?

August (most Greek families travel), Easter weekend, and Christmas-New-Year. Athens has a long August stretch: many sitters double their monthly revenue in that single month.

Is pet sitting more profitable than retail or hospitality in Greece?

Yes for most sitters. Greek minimum wage is €830/month (2025). Petme dog walkers in Athens and Thessaloniki clear €10-14/h, boarders higher.

How does pet sitting in Greece differ from Italy or Spain?

Greek rates are 20-30% lower than Italian or Spanish in absolute terms but the market is less saturated. New sitters tend to fill their calendars faster, especially in Athens.

What's it like sitting for popular Greek dog breeds?

Labradors, Beagles, and Greek rescue mixes dominate Petme bookings. Summer heat is a real concern: early-morning or evening walks only from June through September.

Is there a Petme sitter community in Greece?

Yes: Athens has an active sitter Telegram group; Thessaloniki has a smaller one. We'll connect you after approval.

What's one thing Greek sitters wish they knew before starting?

"Take your August bookings in May. By July the calendars are full and good sitters are gone." (Eleni K., Athens)"

Where do I go to apply as a pet sitter in Greece?

Apply at petme.social/gr/become-a-pet-sitter. Verification typically returns within 48 hours.

From a Greece sitter

In their own words

A real Petme sitter operating in Greece right now, on the one thing they wish someone had told them before starting.

Started in Athens with three regular clients. Two years later I have twelve and the work mostly comes via repeat referrals: I haven't had to actively advertise in over a year.

EKEleni K., Athens
Ready when you are

Apply to become a Petme pet sitter in Greece

The full apply page has the signup form, service-by-service rate setting, and ID verification flow. Free to join, no monthly fee. Verification typically returns in 24 to 48 hours so you can start accepting bookings the same week.

Start your application