Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recorded a significant increase in the first eight months of 2025, according to data from the Bank of Greece.
Note: This significant increase relates largely to FDI inflows for the month of August, which amounted to 4,765.6 million euros, and in particular to the exchange of shares of Metlen Energy & Metals PLC for the acquisition of common registered shares of Metlen Energy & Metals S.A., with an estimated value of over 4 billion euros.

• Greek Budget – Greece’s draft 2026 budget sees GDP growth of 2.4% next year and investment spending growing at a 10.2% rate, almost double the estimated 5.7% rate this year. This continues the country’s six-year long expansion, outperforming the Eurozone average. Exports are forecast to rise 4.5% in 2026, compared with 2.2% in 2025, and a €16.7 billion public investment program will further bolster growth in 2026.
  
• Euronext Deal – European market exchange operator Euronext is seeking to transform the Athens Stock Exchange into a financial hub for the region and develop it as a technology hub for the group. Earlier this month, Euronext launched a revised, all-share offer to acquire 100% of the Athens bourse. The results of the tender, which has been endorsed by the ASE’s board of directors and has the support of the Greek government, will be announced on November 19.
  
• Market Upgrade – The Athens Stock Exchange will be restored to developed market status in the FTSE Russell index from September of next year following a downgrade a decade earlier when it was classified as an advanced emerging market during the Eurozone crisis. The move, which was announced earlier this month, paves the way for similar moves by peers and heralds increased inflows from foreign investors.
  
• Ratings Upgrade – Japan’s Rating and Investment Information (R&I) agency has upgraded Greece’s credit rating one notch to BBB from BBB-, citing steady economic performance and improved fiscal indicators. The agency noted that Greece’s economy continues to outperform the eurozone average and see strong foreign and domestic investment activity, additionally highlighting an average debt maturity of about 20 years, sufficient cash reserves, political stability and recovery of the banking sector.
  
• Healthcare Investment – UAE-based healthcare group PureHealth Holding has concluded its acquisition of a 60% interest in the Hellenic Healthcare Group for €800 million. The transaction values HHG at €1.3 billion and represents the first investment by the Abu Dhabi company into Greece’s health sector. International private equity fund CVC Capital Partners holds the remaining 40% stake in HHG following completion of the deal.
  
• Balkan Highway – Greece, Bulgaria and Romania will sign a cooperation agreement next month for a new highway linking the three countries, as well as the Black Sea with the Mediterranean, according to European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas. In remarks to the Athens Macedonian News Agency, Mr. Tzitzikostas described the project as an “absolute priority” and one of Europe’s most important cross-border infrastructure projects.
  
• Greek Tourism – Greece’s tourism sector continues to see further growth pointing to another potential record year for the industry. According to data released by INSETE, the research arm of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), international air arrivals from January to August were up 5.6% year-on-year to 19.9 million. For the same period, tourism receipts were up 12.5% compared with a year earlier, reaching €12.18 billion.
  
• Brain Gain – Greece’s tax authority has introduced a new digital platform for Greeks abroad who wish to return and become tax residents in Greece. Eligible applicants can now submit their requests entirely online through myAADE and apply for a 50% reduction in their income tax. The measure aims to attract Greeks now living abroad to return to Greece.
  
• Acropolis – Work scaffolding around Greece’s famed Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis has been removed, leaving the monument free of scaffolding for first time in nearly 50 years. The scaffolding was erected as part of an ongoing effort to restore the 5^th Century BC temple devoted to the goddess Athena. The full restoration works are set to be completed by April of next year.
  
• WAIPA Elections – Enterprise Greece was unanimously elected to the role EU Regional Director to the Steering Committee of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies at the Association’s annual general meeting in Sharjah, UAE. The election marks the first time the agency has held the position in the 30-year history of WAIPA. The Association’s 244 members from 162 countries also elected Invest Cyprus to the role of Regional Director for Eastern Europe.