Greece - EU Economic & Trade Relations
The EU is Greece’s most significant trading partner in terms of both goods, services as well as investments.
According to the most recent (2025) available data of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), bilateral trade volume has gradually increased over the last five years (2021 – 2025), with the exception of 2023, when it showed a decrease. Greek exports towards EU member states showed a steep increase in 2022, followed by a downward trend in 2023 and 2024, which, however, was reversed in 2025. Greek imports from the EU have been following a steady upward course over the last five years (2021 – 2025), while the trade deficit, after showing a decrease in 2022, exhibited an increase in the years 2023 – 2025.
According to the most recent available data as mentioned above, during the last five years, more than half of Greece’s exports were directed towards EU member states, while simultaneously about half of Greece’s imports originated from the EU member states. Regarding our exports to EU member states, the top five destinations are Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. As for our imports from EU Member States, Germany ranks first, followed by Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Spain.
Among the most important Greek products exported to the EU are: a) petroleum products with a share of 14,58% of total exports to the EU, primarily directed to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, the Netherlands and Croatia, b) aluminum (7,22%) with main destinations being Germany, Italy, Poland, France and Spain, c) pharmaceutical products (7,22%) mainly exported to Germany, Spain, Austria, Cyprus and France, d) electrical machinery and equipment for recording sound and images (6,17%) primarily directed to Germany, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and the Netherlands, e) nuts and fruits (4,92%) with destinations mainly in Germany, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, and Italy.
Correspondingly, the most significant categories of our imports from the EU in 2025 include: boilers and machinery with a share of 9,20% of total imports from the EU, with the main suppliers being: Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium, b) automobiles and their spare parts (8,66%) imported mainly from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium, c) pharmaceutical products with a share of 8,57% sourced from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy, d) electrical machinery and equipment for recording sound and images (7,88%) imported from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Hungary, e) meats and other edible byproducts of meat (4,40%) originating mainly from the Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
Bilateral trade in services with EU member states records a surplus for Greece and has shown an upward trend, according to the most recent (2025) available data from the Bank of Greece. In 2025 revenue originate primarily from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. During the same year, the payments of Greece are directed mainly to Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Cyprus. Tourism occupies a prominent position among services, as Greece is considered to be among the top destinations for travelers coming from EU member states. In fact, over the years, over 50% of tourists visiting Greece comes from EU member states. The largest number of travelers from EU member states come from Germany. At the same time, Greece welcomes a significant number of travelers from Italy, France, Romania, and the Netherlands.
Regarding investments, according to the most recent data from the Bank of Greece (2025), the EU constitutes the principal source of foreign direct investment in the country. In terms of investment flows, the Netherlands ranked first among EU Member States in 2025, followed by Germany, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Belgium. As regards investment stocks, in 2024 the top five positions among EU Member States were held by Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Cyprus, and Italy.
According to the most recent available data referred to above, net inflows of foreign direct investments in Greece by sector of economic activity in 2025 are concentrated in the supply of electricity, natural gas, steam, and air conditioning, real estate management, telecommunications, motion pictures’, video and television programs’ production activities, financial and insurance activities as well as storage and transportation activities.