Greece welcomed 28.51 million international travellers in the first eight months of 2026, a 10% increase from a year earlier, while tourism receipts rose 9.4% to €18.2 billion, according to preliminary data published by the Bank of Greece on October 22.
The country generated an additional €1.56 billion in tourism revenue compared with the same period in 2025, although average spending per trip remained broadly unchanged. International arrivals increased from 25.92 million in January–August 2025 to 28.51 million this year, representing approximately 2.59 million additional visits.
Greece’s travel balance recorded a surplus of €15.42 billion, up from €14.34 billion a year earlier. Tourism receipts covered 71.5% of the country’s goods trade deficit during the period, illustrating the sector’s contribution to external earnings.
Germany and the UK remain Greece’s largest tourism markets
Receipts from residents of the European Union increased 10.3% to €10.10 billion, while revenue from visitors residing outside the EU rose 8.9% to €7.38 billion. Germany remained Greece’s largest individual source market by tourism receipts, generating €2.86 billion, an increase of 7.2% year on year.
The United Kingdom followed with €2.67 billion, up 5%, while revenue from US visitors increased 21% to €1.47 billion. Italy recorded one of the strongest growth rates among major European markets, with receipts rising 31.7% to €1.26 billion. France moved in the opposite direction, with revenue declining 8.1% to €931.9 million.
Visitor numbers followed a similar pattern. Germany accounted for 4.21 million arrivals, up 8.1%, followed by the UK with 3.40 million, up 3.9%. Italian arrivals increased 22.1% to 1.92 million, while US arrivals declined 1.5% to 1.06 million despite higher spending by American visitors.
August arrivals jump 13.4%, but spending per trip declines
August highlighted a divergence between visitor growth and spending. Greece received 8.47 million international travellers during the month, a 13.4% increase compared with August 2025. Tourism receipts, however, grew by a more modest 6.5% to €4.87 billion.
The Bank of Greece attributed the difference to a 6.5% decline in average expenditure per trip. Travel through road border crossings increased 32.2% in August, considerably faster than the 4.9% growth recorded through airports.
Receipts from EU visitors rose 19.2% during the month, while revenue from non-EU residents declined 11.5%. Among major markets, German tourism receipts increased 24.2% to €835.5 million, while US receipts jumped 52.3% to €346.3 million. Revenue from British visitors fell 32.8% to €564.9 million.
