- Greek GDP – Greece’s economy expanded at a 1.7% year-on-year rate in the second quarter, according to provisional data by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, continuing to outperform the rest of the Eurozone and despite elevated uncertainty in the international economic environment. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy grew 0.6% from the first quarter, supported by a 6.5% increase in gross fixed capital formation, a 1.1% increase in private consumption, and a 3.9% rise in service exports. For the first half, real GDP grew 2.0% on year.
- Budget Surplus – The central government budget continued to outperform fiscal targets with a primary surplus of €8.67 billion for the period January to August 2025, well above a projected surplus of €4.9 billion. According to the latest data from the Finance Ministry, the overall budget surplus was €2.16 billion for the eight months, compared to a projected deficit of €1.38 billion.
- Greek Debt – Greece will raise €8 billion to €9 billion from bond markets in 2026 and repay more bailout loans ahead of schedule, according to the Reuters news agency, citing government officials. The news agency reports that the country will repay €5.3 billion from its first 2010 bailout to its eurozone peers in December.
- Energy Exploration – U.S. oil major Chevron and Greece’s HELLENiQ ENERGY have submitted a joint bid to explore for natural gas in four offshore blocks south of Crete. The bid has further raised expectations of prospective fossil fuel reserves south of the island, while also cementing Greece’s claims to the seabed resources of the area. Evaluation of the bids is due within 60 days, with contract ratification targeted by year-end. Chevron will act as lead operator and hold 70% of the concession.
- Greek Bank – Italian lender UniCredit announced it is raising its exposure to Alpha Bank to just over 25% – up from 20.5% previously – expanding its role as a strategic investor in the Greek bank. The full conversion of the stake will take place once the final regulatory approval process is complete.
- Innovation Hub – Greek real estate developer Lamda Development has accepted a binding €450 million offer from Ion Group to build a global R&D and innovation campus as part of its multibillion-euro waterfront development along the Athens Riviera. The Ellinikon Business Center, which is a cornerstone of the project’s masterplan, will help develop Athens as a European hub for artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
- Brain Regain – Greeks living and working abroad are returning to Greece thanks, in part, to tax incentives implemented in 2020. Over the past five years, data from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance shows that more than 8,000 individuals have applied to transfer their tax residence and employment to Greece in order to benefit from the tax incentives.
- Property Prices – Prices for residential property continued higher in the second quarter and now stand 5% above their pre-crisis peak, according to provisional data by the Bank of Greece. In the second quarter, apartment prices rose 7.3% year-on-year nationwide. On a quarterly basis, prices for residential property were up 2.8% compared with the first quarter of 2025.