Greece’s tourism revenue rose sharply during the first five months of 2026, with travel receipts climbing 25.8 percent to €5.3 billion ($6.04 billion) as inbound arrivals increased 20.9 percent to 8.5 million travelers.
Inbound travel rose from 7.08 million visitors during the corresponding period of 2025, according to a report released by the Bank of Greece.
Greece tourism revenue rises as travel surplus reaches €3.8 billion
The country’s travel balance posted a surplus of €3.8 billion ($4.3 billion) between January and May, up from €2.8 billion ($3.19 billion) during the same period of 2025. Travel receipts increased by €1.09 billion ($1.2 billion) year-over-year. Travel payments also rose by €162.8 million ($185.7 million), or 12.1 percent, reaching €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion).
The increase in tourism revenue reflected both the growth in inbound travel and a 4.5 percent rise in average expenditure per trip. Net receipts from travel services covered 30.9 percent of Greece’s goods deficit and accounted for 83.7 percent of total net receipts from services during the five-month period.
UK tourism revenue surges 50.9 percent
Receipts from travelers residing in European Union countries increased by 18 percent to €2.6 billion ($2.9 billion). Revenue from residents of other countries grew at a faster rate, rising by 36.9 percent to €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion). Within the EU, receipts from euro-area residents increased by 20.9 percent to €2.26 billion ($2.5 billion). Revenue from EU countries outside the euro area rose by 4.5 percent to €414.3 million ($472.8 million).
Among the major markets covered by the Bank of Greece data, Germany generated the most tourism revenue. Receipts from German travelers edged up 0.3 percent to €760.8 million.
Revenue from the United Kingdom surged by 50.9 percent to €736.3 million ($840 million), while receipts from the United States increased by 19.4 percent to €539 million ($615 million). French travelers generated €284.5 million ($324.6 million), an increase of 13.3 percent. Receipts from Italy climbed by 27.6 percent to €221.7 million ($252.9 million).
Road arrivals rise 64.5 percent
The total number of inbound travelers increased from 7.0892 million in January-May 2025 to 8.5694 million during the same period of 2026. Arrivals through Greek airports rose by 9.5 percent, while traffic through road border-crossing points surged by 64.5 percent.
Travel from EU countries increased by 24.1 percent to 4.7 million visitors. Arrivals from other countries rose by 17.1 percent to 3.8 million. The number of travelers from EU countries grew by 23.8 percent, while arrivals from EU countries outside the euro area increased by 25.5 percent.
Germany supplied 1.2 million travelers, marking an increase of 13.6 percent. Arrivals from France rose by 13.7 percent to 389,200, while travel from Italy increased by 14.2 percent to 356,100. The number of travelers from the United Kingdom also soared by 35.9 percent to 965,700. By contrast, arrivals from the United States declined by 2 percent to 454,000.
May travel receipts reach €2.4 billion
In May alone, Greece’s travel balance recorded a surplus of €2 billion ($2.28 million), compared with €1.8 billion ($2 million) in May 2025. Travel receipts increased by 10.9 percent to €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion), up from €2.1 billion ($2.3 billion) a year earlier.
Travel payments rose by 14.1 percent to €407 million ($464.4 million), compared with €356.6 million ($406.9 million) in May 2025. Higher inbound travel supported the increase in receipts even as average expenditure per trip declined by 1.4 percent. Net travel receipts covered 95.7 percent of the goods deficit and represented 88 percent of total net receipts from services during the month.
Receipts from residents of EU countries slipped by 0.1 percent to €1.2 billion ($1.36 billion). Revenue from residents of other countries increased by 27.9 percent to €1.01 billion ($1.15 billion), up from €795.1 million ($907.4 billion) in May 2025. Within the EU, receipts from euro-area residents rose by 7.2 percent to €1.09 billion ($1.2 billion). Revenue from EU countries outside the euro area fell by 28.7 percent to €186.2 million ($212.4 billion) compared with €261.1 million ($298 million) a year earlier.
German travelers generated €484.9 million ($553.3 million) in May, an increase of 4.3 percent. Receipts from France rose by 13.6 percent to €160.3 million ($182.9 million), while revenue from Italy declined by 7.2 percent to €67.5 million ($77 million). Receipts from the United Kingdom increased by 23 percent to €402.6 million ($459.5 million). Revenue from US travelers recorded the strongest percentage increase among the major markets covered, surging by 55.1 percent to €188.2 million ($214.8 million).
Greece tourism revenue climbs as May 2026 arrivals top 3.3 million
Greece welcomed 3.329 million inbound travelers in May, 12.2 percent more than during the same month of 2025. Arrivals through airports increased by 5.7 percent, while traffic through road border crossings rose by 55.1 percent.
Travel from EU countries grew by 10.2 percent, while arrivals from other countries increased by 15.1 percent. The number of travelers from euro-area countries rose by 14.6 percent to 1.6532 million. Arrivals from EU countries outside the euro area declined by 8.8 percent to 299,700.
German arrivals increased by 14.6 percent to 692,700 travelers, while arrivals from France rose by 13.4 percent to 201,300. Travel from Italy increased by 1.1 percent to 114,900. The United Kingdom supplied 520,700 travelers, an increase of 25.1 percent. Arrivals from the United States rose by 1.9 percent to 126,200.
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