The Bank of Greece reported that the travel services balance recorded a surplus of EUR 2,023.2 million in May 2026, up from EUR 1,835.3 million a year earlier, and a surplus of EUR 3,812.3 million in January-May 2026, up from EUR 2,885.1 million in the same period of 2025. The improvement was driven by higher travel receipts, which rose 10.9% year on year in May to EUR 2,430.2 million and 25.8% in January-May to EUR 5,319.7 million, despite increases in travel payments. In May, the rise in receipts reflected a 12.2% increase in inbound traveller flows to 3.33 million, while average expenditure per trip fell 1.4%. For January-May, receipts were supported by both a 20.9% increase in inbound travellers to 8.57 million and a 4.5% rise in average expenditure per trip. May receipts from EU27 residents were broadly flat, as a drop from non-euro area EU27 countries offset growth from euro area visitors, while receipts from other countries rose strongly, including from the United Kingdom and the United States. Net travel receipts offset 95.7% of the goods deficit in May and 30.9% in January-May, and contributed 88.0% and 83.7% respectively to total net receipts from services.
Bank of Greece2026-07-22
Bank of Greece reports May travel services surplus of EUR 2.0 billion, January-May travel receipts up 25.8%
The Bank of Greece said the travel services surplus widened to EUR 2,023.2 million in May 2026 and EUR 3,812.3 million in January-May 2026. Travel receipts rose 10.9% in May and 25.8% in the first five months of the year, driven by stronger inbound traveller flows. In May, higher arrivals offset a 1.4% drop in average spending per trip, while January-May growth also reflected a 4.5% increase in average expenditure per trip.