Greece reports strong tourism earnings and high public‑transport subsidies in 2026

Tourism revenues in Greece rose 9.5% in April 2026, reaching €1.11 billion compared with the same month a year earlier. Foreign visitor arrivals were up 27.1% for the January‑April period and total travel receipts for the first four months increased 36.9% to €2.79 billion, indicating robust demand despite regional geopolitical tensions.

During the 2015‑2024 period, the state budget allocated more than €2 billion in subsidies to the Athens public‑transport operator OASA. Annual support grew from about €108 million in 2015 to a peak of €271 million in 2022, with 2024 expenditures surpassing €500 million for the first time. Revenues from ticket sales remained below operating costs, leading to accumulated losses of roughly €915 million by the end of 2024.