What's Changing with the New Legislation?

The new legislation, in force since 1 January 2026, brings significant changes for Greek businesses. For the first time, employee training in CPR and the Heimlich manoeuvre becomes mandatory, with a threshold counted per site (installation), not per company. Greek Law 5239/2025 on first aid is the most important workplace health and safety legislation of the past decade.

In Detail: What Article 39 of Law 5239/2025 Provides

Training Obligation

Article 39 of Law 5239/2025 adds point (d) to Article 535 para. 1 of the Greek Labour Code (P.D. 62/2025) and provides for employee training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich manoeuvre. At sites with up to 50 employees, training is delivered through the Ministry of Labour's educational videos and material. At sites with more than 50 employees, at least 50% of staff are trained through certified first aid providers, every 3 years. Mandatory CPR training for businesses is now a legal obligation, not an optional benefit.

Which Businesses Are Affected: A Detailed Look

Based on number of employees per site:

Up to 50 employees: Training through the Ministry of Labour's educational videos and material
More than 50 employees: Train at least 50% of staff through certified first aid providers, every 3 years

Based on sector:

Industries and factories
Hotels and tourist businesses
Restaurants and mass catering venues
Shopping centers and retail stores
Gyms and sports facilities
Private schools and training centers
Hospitals and clinics
Offices and service-providing companies
Construction companies

Law 5239/2025 on workplace first aid applies across all sectors, regardless of the nature of the business. The 50-employee threshold per site is the point above which training must go through a certified first aid provider.

What Compliance Training Includes

1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Hands-on training in chest compressions and rescue breathing. Employees learn to recognize cardiac arrest and respond immediately. Training includes practical exercises on high-fidelity manikins.

2. Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), as Part of CPR

Training in the correct use of an AED, including electrode pad placement and interpretation of voice prompts. An AED is not an Article 39 obligation. We recommend one because it makes CPR effective: having an AED at an accessible location can increase survival chances by up to 70%.

3. Choking Management (Heimlich Maneuver)

Instruction in the airway-clearing technique for choking incidents in adults and children. The Heimlich maneuver is particularly important in catering venues and educational institutions.

Sanctions and Liability for Non-Compliance

Administrative Sanctions

Non-compliance leads to administrative sanctions from the Labour Inspectorate and civil liability for the employer if an incident occurs.

Civil Liability

If an incident occurs with untrained staff, the employer bears civil liability regardless of any sanction. Staff first aid training in Athens by a certified provider helps the business meet its obligation.

Compliance Timeline

The obligation has applied since 1 January 2026.

Preparation

Assess needs and the number of employees to be trained
Select a certified training provider
Schedule training sessions

Training

Train at least 50% of staff at every site with more than 50 employees
Issue ERC certificates

Maintenance (Every 3 Years)

Renew certificates
Train new personnel

How to Choose a Certified Training Provider

Selection Criteria:

ERC (European Resuscitation Council) certification: the gold standard in first aid
Experience in corporate training: specialization in businesses and organizations
Training at your premises: convenience and minimal work disruption
Medical professionals as instructors: doctors and paramedics, not just trainers
End-to-end solutions: training + AED + maintenance from a single provider

ERC certification under Law 5239 is the key selection criterion. The law asks for training from a certified first aid provider, and the ERC certificate is the European standard. The certified first aid training provider you choose should have experience training businesses, not just individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law 5239/2025

Do ALL employees need to be trained?

No. At a site with more than 50 employees, at least 50% of staff are trained through a certified provider. For example, a site with 60 employees must train at least 30 people.

Are older certificates still valid?

It depends on the issuer and the date. ERC certificates are valid for 3 years and are renewed through refresher training.

What if I have 30 employees?

At a site with up to 50 employees, the employer meets the obligation with the Ministry of Labour's educational videos and material. However, hands-on staff first aid training is strongly recommended for all employers, regardless of size.

How long does the training take?

PulseGuard's CPR and Heimlich training lasts 4 hours, in groups of 7 with their own instructor and manikin. The bleeding control programme (BCON) is separate and lasts 2 hours.

Can training be held at our premises?

Absolutely. On-site training is a specialty of experienced providers like PulseGuard. We come to your location with full equipment and create realistic scenarios.

What sanctions apply for non-compliance?