Greece reports rising airport traffic and new social support programs

Greece is seeing significant growth in its tourism and aviation sectors. Fraport Greece reported that its 14 managed airports handled 6.9 million passengers in July 2026, a 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. Thessaloniki Airport Macedonia specifically saw 950,279 passengers in July, a 7.6% rise, driven largely by international travel which accounted for approximately 70% of its traffic.

In support of domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism is running the ‘Tourism for All 2026-2027’ program. Applications for travel vouchers, ranging from 200 to 600 euros, are open until August 21, 2026. The program features expanded income criteria to include more middle-class households and provides special benefits for large families and persons with disabilities. To encourage off-season travel, 70% of the budget is allocated to trips between October and April.

Additionally, the Public Employment Service (DYPA) has launched employment programs. One initiative aims to create 1,000 positions for unemployed university and technical education graduates aged 25 to 54, with monthly salaries up to 1,250 euros. Another program targets 8,000 unemployed individuals over the age of 55 to help them complete their social security requirements for retirement.