The Bank of Greece published provisional figures showing Greece’s balance of travel services recorded a surplus of EUR 284.8 million in February 2026, up from EUR 89.0 million in February 2025, and a surplus of EUR 518.8 million in January–February 2026. The improvement was driven by a sharp increase in travel receipts, supported by higher inbound traveller flows and higher average expenditure per trip. Travel receipts rose 83.2% year on year to EUR 533.4 million in February 2026, while travel payments increased 23.0% to EUR 248.6 million, with net travel receipts accounting for 85.9% of total net receipts from services. Receipts from EU27 residents increased 95.1% to EUR 253.2 million and receipts from non-EU27 residents rose 78.2% to EUR 269.6 million; among major source markets, receipts from the United Kingdom increased to EUR 119.4 million while receipts from the United States fell 51.7% to EUR 27.5 million. Inbound travellers totalled 1,034.6 thousand in February 2026, up 44.5%, with flows through airports up 27.6% and through road border-crossing points up 80.4%. The next press release covering March 2026 is scheduled for 25 May 2026. Following the Hellenic Statistical Authority’s postponement of February 2026 commercial transactions data, the Bank of Greece will not publish the balance of goods data or the calculation of the share of travel services relative to the goods deficit until the relevant ELSTAT data are released.
Bank of Greece 2026-04-21
Bank of Greece reports February 2026 travel services surplus of EUR 284.8 million as receipts rise 83%
The Bank of Greece’s provisional data show the travel services surplus rose to EUR 284.8 million in February 2026 from EUR 89.0 million a year earlier, driven by an 83.2% increase in travel receipts to EUR 533.4 million on higher inbound flows and spending per trip. Net travel receipts accounted for 85.9% of total net services receipts, with strong growth from both EU27 and non-EU27 residents, while receipts from the United States declined. Publication of balance of goods data and related travel-to-goods deficit metrics is delayed pending February 2026 commercial transactions data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority.