Greece’s tourism sector entered the summer season with strong momentum, as travel revenue rose sharply in the first four months of 2026 and April receipts exceeded €1.1 billion ($1,26 billion).
According to the latest Bank of Greece data, travel receipts in January-April reached nearly €2.8 billion ($3,2 billion), up 36.9% from the same period in 2025. The increase amounted to almost €753 million ($864 million) in additional revenue, reinforcing the resilience of one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
The figures show that Greece is not only attracting more visitors, but also generating higher value from tourism activity. Non-resident traveler arrivals rose 27.1% in the first four months of the year, while travel receipts increased at a faster pace, pointing to stronger spending and a more profitable start to the season.
April receipts top €1.1 billion
In April alone, travel receipts surpassed €1.1 billion ($1,26 billion), marking a 9.5% increase compared with the same month last year. Non-resident traveler arrivals also rose by 10.6% year-on-year.
The April performance was supported by the timing of Catholic Easter, which helped lift travel demand during the month. It also came despite wider geopolitical uncertainty and repeated strains on the fragile US-Iran ceasefire agreed on April 8.
More detailed figures on Greece’s travel balance are expected to be released by the Bank of Greece on Monday.
Tourism strengthens Greece’s services balance
The Bank of Greece said the services balance surplus widened in the first four months of 2026, mainly because of the stronger travel balance. That improvement was partly offset by weaker results in other services and transport.
In April, however, the services surplus narrowed slightly. The decline reflected net payments in other services, compared with net receipts a year earlier, despite improvements in transport and, to a lesser extent, the travel balance.
Current account deficit falls in April
Greece’s current account deficit fell to €1.4 billion ($1,6 billion) in April 2026, down by €956 million ($1 billion) compared with April 2025. The improvement was mainly driven by a narrower goods deficit, as exports grew faster than imports. Exports rose 36.3% in current prices and 13.6% in real terms, while imports increased 12.2% in current prices and 0.8% in real terms.
Excluding fuel, exports rose 10.6% in current prices and 5.5% in real terms. Non-fuel imports increased 3.2% in current prices and 1.5% in real terms.
The primary income deficit also narrowed, mainly because of lower net payments for interest, dividends, and profits. At the same time, the secondary income balance shifted into surplus from a deficit in April 2025, supported by net receipts in the general government sector.
Despite the wider current account pressures recorded in the first four months of the year, tourism remained one of the strongest areas of the Greek economy.
The early-year data reinforce Greece’s position as one of Europe’s most resilient tourism markets. Demand for Southern and Mediterranean European destinations remains strong, with safety continuing to influence travel choices.
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