The Bank of Italy published updated balance of payments and international investment position statistics showing that Italy’s current account surplus reached EUR 29.9 billion, or 1.3% of gross domestic product, in the 12 months through July 2026. This was up from EUR 22.2 billion, or 0.9% of GDP, a year earlier, driven by a larger goods surplus and a return to surplus in primary income. Deficits in services and secondary income widened. The financial account recorded net acquisitions of foreign assets of EUR 8.9 billion over the same period, down from EUR 46.8 billion a year earlier. In July, Italian residents increased foreign assets by EUR 22.3 billion, mainly through portfolio investment, while foreign liabilities rose by EUR 13.8 billion. The increase in liabilities included EUR 8.2 billion of direct investment in Italy and EUR 7.5 billion of foreign purchases of Italian debt securities, all of which were government securities. The Bank of Italy will revise the balance of payments and international investment position series from 2018 when it publishes second-quarter 2026 data on Sept. 30. The revisions will reflect updated sources and compilation methods, particularly for goods.
2026-09-18Bank of Italy
Bank of Italy reports Italy’s 12-month current account surplus rose to EUR 29.9 billion in July
The Bank of Italy reported that Italy’s 12-month current account surplus rose to EUR 29.9 billion, or 1.3% of GDP, in July 2026, supported by goods and primary income. Net acquisitions of foreign assets fell to EUR 8.9 billion over the period, while July foreign purchases of Italian debt securities totaled EUR 7.5 billion and consisted entirely of government securities. The data series will be revised from 2018 on Sept. 30.