- Greek Economy – Greece’s economy grew at a slightly faster-than-expected rate in 2024, with GDP expanding 2.3% for the year and 2.6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority. The Greek government had forecast a 2.2% growth rate for last year and is projecting 2.3% growth in 2025. The data show that Greece continues to significantly outperform the 0.9% growth recorded in the rest of the eurozone.
- Credit Upgrade I – International credit ratings agency Moody’s raised its ratings for Greece one notch to Baa3 from Ba1, the last major ratings agency to return Greek sovereign bonds to investment grade status. In its decision, Moody’s noted Greece’s “robust track record of implementing a demanding set of structural reforms,” particularly after the government beat primary budget surplus targets last year by a wide margin. In a statement, Prime Minister Kyriaklos Mitsotakis said the upgrade reflected the significant progress the country had made and re-affirmed the government’s commitment to reforms.
- Credit Upgrade II – International ratings agency Morningstar DBRS upgraded Greece’s sovereign credit ratings one notch to BBB from BBB (low) and changed its outlook to ‘stable’ from ‘positive’. The upgrade reflects the growing financial health of the country’s banking sector and comes after Greece outperformed budget targets last year. According to Bank of Greece data, Greece’s primary budget surplus last year was equal to 3.6% of GDP, outperforming expectations by €4.0 billion.
- Athens Airport – Athens International Airport will accelerate its €1.28 billion expansion program amid forecasts for record growth in passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport – Greece’s largest – handled 31.85 million passengers, up 13.1% from a year earlier, and now expects to reach its 33 million passenger target sooner than expected. The airport will expand capacity to 40 million passengers by 2032.
- Strategic Investments – The Interministerial Committee on Strategic Investments has approved three mega tourism projects in Evia, the Argolid peninsula in the Peloponnese, and in Aetolia-Acarnania in western Greece. The three projects, with a total budget of €1.22 billion, will be inducted into Greece’s Fast Track process, where they will benefit from expedited licensing and planning permissions.
- Easter Visitors – Athens is among the Top 20 European destinations for next month’s Easter holidays, according to travel analytics firm AirDNA. The Greek capital has seen a 40% rise in bookings of short-term rental properties compared with last year, while Greece overall has seen a 77% jump in bookings for Holy Week compared to last year.
- Greek Beaches – The beach at Elafonissi, Crete was named the best beach in the world according to the latest TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards for 2025. Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia was also ranked among the Top 10 best beaches in the world, according to reviewers.
- Greek Property – Prices for Greek residential properties continued higher last year, according to the latest data by the Bank of Greece, but which also showed a slowing rate of increase. Apartment prices rose on average 8.7% in 2024, compared with an average increase of 13.9% in 2023. In the fourth quarter, apartment prices rose 6.6% year-on-year, compared with an 8.1% year-on-year increase in the third quarter.
- Film Production – Filming for the big budget project The Odyssey, by award-winning director Christopher Nolan, has begun near the town of Pylos in southwestern Greece. The film, which will feature Matt Damon as Odysseus, is slated for release in the summer of 2026.