ATHENS – Greece’s tourism receipts increased by 14.8% in the first half of 2026, reaching approximately €8.8 billion, up from €7.66 billion during the corresponding period of 2025. Receipts totaled €3.4 billion in June, an increase of 1.2% from what was recorded in June of last year. The tourism gains helped to narrow the country’s current account deficit, which includes trade.
On the broader economic front, according to data from the Bank of Greece, in June 2026 the current-account deficit fell by nearly half compared with the same month in 2025, reaching €602.8 million.
The deficit in the goods balance contracted, as exports increased more than imports. At current prices, goods exports rose 27.5% (14.5% at constant prices), while goods imports increased 7.3% (1.9% at constant prices). Specifically, at current prices, exports of goods excluding fuel increased 22.3% (15.0% at constant prices), while corresponding imports increased 5.4% (3.7% at constant prices).
The services surplus declined slightly, owing to deterioration in all of its individual balances, particularly the transport balance. Compared with June 2025, non-resident traveler arrivals increased by 6.9%, while related receipts increased by 1.2%.
The deficit in the primary-income balance narrowed compared with the corresponding month of 2025, mainly reflecting lower net payments for interest, dividends and profits and, to a lesser extent, more than a doubling of net receipts from other primary income. The secondary-income balance deficit increased compared with June 2025, as a result of higher net payments both in the general government sector and in other sectors of the economy outside general government.
First half of 2026
During the first half of 2026, the current-account deficit increased by approximately €1 billion compared with the corresponding period of 2025, reaching €9.5 billion.
The goods-balance deficit narrowed, however, as the increase in exports exceeded that of imports. At current prices, goods exports increased 16.1%, while goods imports rose 4.5%. In particular, at current prices, exports of goods excluding fuel increased 7.9%, while corresponding imports increased 4.1% (3.6% and 2.9% at constant prices, respectively).
The services surplus expanded, owing to an improvement in the travel-services balance. This was largely offset by deterioration, primarily in the balance of other services and, secondarily, in the transport balance.
Compared with the first half of 2025, non-resident traveler arrivals increased by 15.4%, while related travel receipts increased by 14.8%.
