LEGAL OPINION – Seamen Pension Fund

All Greek seafarers employed onboard a Greek-flag vessel is subject to the social security coverage offered by the Seamen Pension Fund (NAT). The responsible party to cover the social security contributions is the shipowner, the exploiter of the vessel, and their representatives, jointly and severally each.

In case the where a seafarer serves onboard a non-Greek-flag vessel, social security can still apply, provided the owners have contracted with the fund or if the seafarer was employed through the Bureau for Naval Employment (GENE).

In case when the employer has not paid the contributions, the seafarer can pay them himself, plus 7%. In such a case, the seafarer can claim this amount from the employer judicially.

Supreme Court Judgment no 769/2017, Presiding: A. Karellou, Rapporteur Judge: N. Passos, Attorneys at law: V. Saxonis, P. Sioufas, Maritime Law Review vol. 45, p. 293.

NOTE: Contributions are not directly owed to the seafarer, however, they represent a benefit for him.