Greece recorded a 14.8 percent increase in travel receipts during the first six months of 2026, with total tourism revenue reaching 8,796.3 million euros, according to figures released by the Bank of Greece on August 21, 2026.
The travel balance surplus for the period from January to June 2026 reached 6,928.6 million euros, expanding from 6,012.2 million euros recorded in the same period of 2025.
The expansion in revenue was driven primarily by a 15.4 percent increase in inbound traveler traffic. Total travel receipts grew by 1,131.9 million euros year-on-year, even as average expenditure per trip recorded a slight decline of 0.6 percent.
Travel payments made by Greek residents traveling abroad also grew during the first six months of the year, rising 13.0 percent or 215.5 million euros to reach 1,867.6 million euros.
European Union and international market revenue
Travel receipts from residents of European Union member states increased by 10.7 percent in the first half of 2026 to 4,526.4 million euros. Revenue from residents of non-EU countries rose 19.7 percent to reach 3,859.9 million euros.
Within the European Union, visitors from eurozone countries generated 3,777.8 million euros in revenue, representing a 13.3 percent increase compared to 2025. Receipts from EU countries outside the eurozone declined 1.1 percent to 748.5 million euros.
Performance among individual European origin markets showed mixed results. Receipts from German travelers fell 6.3 percent to 1,275.9 million euros, while revenue from French visitors dropped 7.4 percent to 414.3 million euros. Expenditure by Italian visitors rose 31.1 percent to 470.0 million euros.
Among major non-eurozone markets, receipts from British tourists climbed 8.5 percent to 1,179.2 million euros. Travel revenue from United States residents grew 10.8 percent to reach 796.9 million euros.
June 2026 monthly balance and visitor spending
Provisional data for June 2026 showed a monthly travel surplus of 3,116.3 million euros, compared to 3,127.0 million euros in June 2025. Travel receipts during the month rose 1.2 percent to 3,476.5 million euros from 3,434.6 million euros in the previous year.
Travel payments by residents during June increased 17.1 percent to 360.2 million euros, compared to 307.5 million euros in June 2025. Inbound tourist arrivals for June grew by 6.9 percent, while average expenditure per trip dropped by 6.2 percent.
During June 2026, receipts from residents of EU-27 nations increased 1.5 percent to 1,850.2 million euros. Revenue from non-EU residents fell 1.2 percent to 1,439.9 million euros, down from 1,456.8 million euros in June 2025.
Central bank role and tourism sector background
The Bank of Greece, founded in 1927 and based in Athens, is the central bank of Greece and a member of the Eurosystem. It tracks balance of payments statistics, trade figures, and monthly tourism statistics to monitor key drivers of the national economy.
Tourism represents a vital component of the Greek economy, accounting for a significant share of employment and national income. The country attracts millions of international travelers each year, particularly during the summer season.
The latest central bank figures demonstrate that rising visitor numbers continued to support total revenue growth through the first half of 2026, offsetting lower average spending per tourist.
