Greece records fiscal surplus and best eurozone business climate, EU Commission says

The European Commission says Greece’s general government surplus reached 1.7% of GDP in 2025, well above its own forecast of 1.1%. The excess is attributed not only to lower spending but also to higher tax revenues, especially from value‑added tax (VAT). VAT collections rose to €27.8 billion in 2025, with a target of €29.3 billion for 2026, as compliance improved to 98.5% among active taxpayers.

In the same month, the Commission’s monthly business‑climate survey showed Greece’s index climbing to 107.5 points in May, the highest reading in the euro zone and up from 105.8 in April. The rise was driven by gains in construction (+2.3), retail (+4.3), industry (+5.3), consumer sentiment (+2.5) and employment (+1.6). The services index fell by 3.9 points, while other euro‑area countries saw weaker readings.