Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the UK was Greece’s largest investor in 2025, accounting for 5.3 billion euros ($5.92 billion) in investment flows, as the two countries seek closer economic ties.
Speaking at the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce’s annual Back-to-Business Dinner, Pierrakakis said British companies have a strong presence in financial services, telecommunications, energy, tourism, health care and real estate. He called for a broader economic partnership built on existing trade and business links.
Pierrakakis, who also heads the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers, said Greece’s recovery from its debt crisis had created opportunities for international investment. He pointed to a stable banking system, restored investment-grade status and strengths in shipping, tourism and energy.
Greek companies are expanding abroad as well, he said, naming Metlen, Energean, PeopleCert, Viohalco and Kri-Kri among businesses with a growing British presence. He also said the Athens stock exchange’s integration into Euronext could give Greek companies wider access to capital and create opportunities for British investors.
UK’s status as Greece’s largest investor reflects wider business links
Tourism is another major part of the relationship. Revenue from British visitors rose 18.41% in 2025 to 3.7 billion euros ($4.14 billion), while arrivals reached about 4.9 million, Pierrakakis said. Britain was Greece’s second-largest source of tourists, narrowly behind Germany.
The minister also highlighted growing British investment interest in non-state education, from primary and secondary schools to universities. British universities are now looking to establish operations in Greece, a change from earlier decades when large numbers of Greek students traveled to Britain for their studies.
He said Greece could become a regional education center as public universities expand English-language degree programs. Tourism investment, meanwhile, should increasingly focus on infrastructure and modern hospitality services rather than visitor numbers alone.
Pierrakakis said attracting investment also depends on confidence in public institutions and transparent tax rules. He cited reforms in public administration and digital services, calling an effective state “the best investment incentive,” according to his Greek remarks.
Technology, energy and EU relations offer further opportunities
In technology, he pointed to Greece’s gov.gr platform, developed after officials learned from Britain’s gov.uk service. He said about 2,500 government services are now available online and highlighted the new Daedalus supercomputer as a resource for artificial intelligence research.
He also identified renewable energy, power links, energy storage, natural gas infrastructure and shipping as areas for joint work.
As Eurogroup president, Pierrakakis urged stronger European capital markets to channel savings into investment. He welcomed the British government’s intention to pursue closer relations with the European Union, arguing that cooperation could support growth and security amid geopolitical uncertainty.
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