The Bank of Greece published balance of payments data showing that Greece’s current account deficit narrowed year on year in April 2026, falling by EUR 956.0 million to EUR 1.4 billion. The improvement was driven mainly by a smaller goods deficit and a stronger secondary income position, with some support from a narrower primary income deficit, partly offset by a slight weakening in the services surplus. Over January to April 2026, however, the current account deficit widened by EUR 1.0 billion from a year earlier to EUR 8.3 billion, as deteriorations in the primary and secondary income accounts outweighed stronger goods and services balances. In April, the goods deficit narrowed as exports rose faster than imports, with total exports up 36.3% at current prices against a 12.2% rise in imports. The services surplus edged down because other services moved from net receipts to net payments, despite improvements in transport and travel. Tourist arrivals and receipts from non-residents increased by 10.6% and 9.5% respectively in April, while for January to April they were up 27.1% and 36.9%. The secondary income account moved to a surplus in April, mainly due to general government net receipts, while the capital account also turned to a EUR 488.6 million surplus, reflecting higher general government receipts linked to the disbursement of the seventh tranche of the Recovery and Resilience Facility grant component. The combined current and capital account deficit narrowed to EUR 900.4 million in April but widened to EUR 8.0 billion over the first four months. On the financial account, January to April figures showed EUR 4.4 billion of non-residents’ direct investment in Greece and a EUR 4.9 billion rise in non-residents’ holdings of Greek bonds and Treasury bills. Greece’s reserve assets stood at EUR 21.4 billion at end-April 2026, up from EUR 15.8 billion a year earlier. Balance of payments data for May 2026 are due on 21 July 2026.
Bank of Greece2026-06-19
Bank of Greece reports April current account deficit fell to EUR 1.4 billion, January-April gap widened to EUR 8.3 billion
The Bank of Greece said Greece’s current account deficit narrowed in April 2026 to EUR 1.4 billion, mainly on improvements in goods and secondary income, but widened over January to April to EUR 8.3 billion. April’s capital account moved to a surplus, helped by Recovery and Resilience Facility grant receipts, while the combined current and capital account deficit fell to EUR 900.4 million for the month. Non-residents’ direct investment in Greece reached EUR 4.4 billion in the first four months, and reserve assets rose to EUR 21.4 billion at end-April.