Italy and Greece Move to Require Salary Disclosure in Job Ads

Italy and Greece are advancing rules that would force employers to disclose pay in job postings and bar questions about a candidate’s previous salary, with the goal of shifting bargaining power toward workers. In Italy, the change is already in force after a legislative decree signed on June 7, 2026, which implements the European Union’s pay transparency directive.

Under the Italian rules, every vacancy notice must state either the starting salary or a salary range. Employers are also forbidden from seeking a job seeker’s past pay, including indirectly through recruitment firms. Candidates may still volunteer their previous salary if they want, but only the employer has a disclosure obligation.

Greece has not completed the legislation yet, but the government is pushing a similar framework. It would require companies to include salary or a salary range in every job ad and inform applicants about any relevant collective agreements. Greece’s labor minister said the emphasis is on eliminating unjustified wage gaps between people doing the same work or work of equal value.

The Greek plan would also require job ads to be gender neutral and free from discrimination. Its definition of compensation is broader than base pay, covering bonuses, allowances, overtime, benefits in kind, and occupational pension plans.

Supporters say upfront salary disclosure removes an advantage long held by employers, replaces deliberate ambiguity with clear numbers, and lets candidates compare offers before interviews. They argue interviews should then focus on skills, motivation, and growth expectations rather than awkward bargaining over basic pay.