Greece welcomed 31.6 million foreign visitors in the January-September 2025 period, marking a 4 percent increase over the same months last year, according to provisional Bank of Greece data.
Visitor traffic remained strong across major markets, with Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States all recording notable gains.
In September alone, inbound travel rose 3.6 percent to 5.68 million visitors. Arrivals through airports increased 5.1 percent, while road border crossings expanded 1.9 percent, underscoring continued demand as the summer season tapered.
During the first nine months of the year, arrivals from EU27 countries reached 18.8 million (+0.8 percent), supported by a strong performance from eurozone markets, which rose 5.6 percent.
In contrast, arrivals from EU countries outside the euro area fell 8.1 percent, extending a trend seen throughout the year. Travel from non-EU markets increased 9.3 percent to 12.7 million, driven by higher volumes from long-haul and Western European markets.
Source: Bank of Greece
Germany remained Greece’s largest source market, posting 8.2 percent growth with 4.8 million visitors. The United Kingdom followed with 4 million arrivals (+4.3 percent), while Italy registered a 7.1 percent increase to 1.9 million. The United States continued its strong upward trajectory, sending 1.2 million travelers (+5.6 percent). France saw a marginal decline of 0.6 percent, reaching 1.8 million visitors.
Visitor trends in September followed a similar pattern. Arrivals from eurozone countries increased 14.1 percent, while non-euro EU markets dropped 12.6 percent. This dynamic contributed to Greece’s shifting source-market mix, favoring destinations with stronger connectivity and higher long-term demand.
For the first nine months of the year, tourism receipts also rose 9 percent, reaching 20.13 billion euros, although September revenue softened due to lower average visitor spending.
Reflecting on the sustained momentum, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the industry’s performance continues to reinforce its wider impact on the economy and society.
“Quality tourism is creating the conditions for better jobs, balanced destination development, and a more equitable distribution of benefits across local communities,” she noted, adding that strategic planning and cooperation remain central to building a resilient and sustainable tourism model.
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