The Bank of Greece published provisional travel services data showing a sharp widening in Greece's travel surplus. The balance of travel services rose to a surplus of EUR 409.6 million in March 2026 from EUR 172.8 million a year earlier, while the surplus for January to March reached EUR 928.4 million, up from EUR 352.6 million in the same period of 2025. Travel receipts increased by 55.6% in March to EUR 669.4 million and by 64.3% in the first quarter to EUR 1,676.1 million, driven by both stronger inbound traveller flows and higher average spending per trip. In March, inbound traveller numbers increased by 38.1% to 1.27 million, with airport arrivals up 18.5% and road border crossings up 85.0%. For January to March, arrivals rose by 38.3% to 3.40 million, with growth led by travellers from the EU27, particularly the euro area, alongside strong gains from non-euro area EU27 countries. The increase in receipts reflected both higher visitor numbers and higher per-trip spending, while travel payments were broadly stable in March, up 0.9%, and increased by 12.0% over the first quarter. Net travel receipts offset 15.8% of the goods deficit in March and 11.4% in January to March, contributing 73.8% and 77.2% respectively to total net receipts from services.
Bank of Greece2026-05-25
Bank of Greece reports March travel services surplus of EUR 409.6 million, January-March surplus reaches EUR 928.4 million
The Bank of Greece reported that the travel services surplus rose to EUR 409.6 million in March 2026 and EUR 928.4 million in January to March, well above the levels a year earlier. Travel receipts increased by 55.6% in March and 64.3% in the first quarter, driven by higher inbound traveller flows and stronger average spending per trip. Inbound arrivals rose by just over 38% in both periods.