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The European Commission has identified Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus as countries “under migratory pressure,” opening the way for the relocation of asylum seekers to other EU member states. This designation, based on the first Annual Asylum and Migration Report, reflects the disproportionate number of migrant arrivals these nations faced last year, including those rescued at sea. In response, the Commission has proposed that these four countries benefit in 2026 from the solidarity of other EU members, either through the relocation of asylum seekers or via financial contributions. The proposal, known as the Annual Solidarity Pool, will determine both the total number of relocations and the contributions expected from each member state. The details are yet to be made public and will be di...

Published on November 12, 2025Restoration of the Temple of Aphaea on Aegina Island has recently been aided by the installation of new lighting technology. The Temple of Aphaea, a hallmark of classic sculpture and ancient Greek architecture, has been a focal point for visitors and locals alike for more than 2500 years. The Ministry of Culture and Lina Mendoni proudly showcased the new lighting enhancements that add even more of a captivating showcase to the already awe-inspiring temple. This unique lighting installation underscores the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to ensure the illumination of Greece’s most debated ancient sites is carried out artfully, and Aegina’s temple is no exception.A giant work of sculptural glory, the temple, like most ancient sites, is also partly praised for having ...

Migrants aboard an inflatable vessel. Public Domain Greece and Cyprus, alongside Spain and Italy, have been named the primary beneficiaries of the European Union’s new “solidarity pool” mechanism, designed to aid member states cope with severe migratory pressures, according to a Reuters report. The European Commission’s announcement confirms that the two nations will be among the first to receive support when the landmark Pact on Migration and Asylum officially enters into force in mid-2026. EU aid for Greece, Cyprus and other frontline nations The Commission explicitly stated the reason for prioritizing the two Eastern Mediterranean nations: “Greece and Cyprus are under migratory pressure due to the disproportionate level of arrivals over the last year. Spain and Italy are also under ...

The European Union’s energy market regulator has found indications of possible market manipulation or abuse of a dominant position in Greece during the mini-crisis in energy in the summer of 2024, which sent electricity prices soaring across Southeastern Europe.  The issue of prices, which concerned the government and competent authorities at the time, was the subject of an investigation by Greek watchdog RAAEY, which did not identify any speculative movements in the internal market.  The government staff then linked the high prices and the deviations with prices in Western Europe, which are observed to this day, to the “technical” weaknesses in the capacity of the interconnections between Central and Eastern Europe, which Greece subsequently highlighted to the competent European instituti...

Published on November 12, 2025In the village of Taxiarchis, haloed and tucked within the embrace of mountain contours and obscured remote locations in Halkidiki, Greece, the country’s and, no doubt, the world’s Christmas season starts when the first Christmas Tree is lit on the 7th of November. It has long ceased to be the only wonder of Greece. It has become an acclaimed milestone which holds the status of a grand tradition. It is lit during the fog-shrouded ceremonies and the Christmas Tree Lighting has become a customary feature. The mountain community celebrates the innovation every year. For the rich traditions in the village, the visitors do not mind the hike to commune with the locals in the village square and fathom the procession. The visitors along with the locals, witness the wo...

A three-year-old boy lost his life on Tuesday evening in Western Achaia, Greece, after a fall from a two-metre-high wall outside his home in the village of Agios Nikolaos Spaton. The child was rushed to the Karamandaneio Children’s Hospital in the nearby city of Patras but could not be saved despite doctors’ prolonged efforts to resuscitate him.According to local reports, the incident occurred while the boy was under the supervision of his 25-year-old uncle, as the parents were working in a nearby field. For reasons still under investigation, both the uncle and the child fell from the wall, resulting in severe injuries to the toddler.Unsuccessful Resuscitation EffortsEmergency responders launched a large-scale operation to transport the child to hospital. Medical staff performed CPR for ne...

Representatives of the GNTO North America Office, Konstantinos Charokopos Charokopos and Faye Georgousi, receiving Greece’s awards at the Travvy Awards 2025 ceremony. Photo source: GNTO Greece reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s most beloved destinations after receiving multiple distinctions at the Travvy Awards 2025 – widely regarded as the “Oscars” of the US travel industry. The annual event, organized by TravelPulse and the Northstar Travel Group, celebrates excellence in global tourism as voted by thousands of travel advisors and industry professionals. At this year’s ceremony, held on November 6 at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, Greece won Gold for Best Destination – Mediterranean, Gold for Best Cruise Destination – Europe and Silver for Best Destination – Europe. ...

File photo. Greece was re-elected to the Executive Council – UN Tourism’s governing board – with the most votes among countries in the region of Europe at UN Tourism’s 26th General Assembly in Riyadh on Monday. The World Tourism Organization of the United Nations met in the Saudi city from November 7 to 11. Greece was represented by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, who underlined at the Executive Council session on Monday that global tourism is on the threshold of a new era defined by innovation and significant challenges. She also stressed the need for UN Tourism to strengthen its role within the United Nations system and to become a more influential global organization. At the biennial event, Kefalogianni referred to the provisional ag...

Home » Greece » Thailand Teams Up with Japan, Norway, Greece, Italy and Spain to Launch Tourism Taxes in 2026 Aimed at Tackling Overtourism and Supporting Sustainable Travel Published on November 12, 2025In a bold move to combat the growing pressures of overtourism, Thailand is joining forces with Japan, Norway, Greece, Venice, and Spain to introduce tourism taxes in 2026. These countries are implementing new levies to manage the impact of mass tourism, ensuring that their iconic destinations remain sustainable for future generations. With these measures, the nations aim to strike a balance between encouraging economic growth from tourism and preserving their cultural, environmental, and infrastructural integrity. The move is part of a broader global trend focused on responsible travel, ...

Athens, Nov 12 Heavy rainfall and hailstorms swept across Greece's northeastern Aegean islands over the past 24 hours, causing extensive flooding and major damage to homes, businesses, and crops, local authorities said.On Lesvos Island, the town of Kalloni was among the hardest hit, with streets, houses, and dozens of shops submerged after the Tsiknias River overflowed. Floodwaters reached up to 1.3 metres in some areas, while emergency crews worked for hours to pump water from buildings, reports Xinhua news agency.Local officials said the flooding was worsened by debris blocking a nearby bridge. The historic Kremasti Bridge also sustained damage when floodwaters carried a large shipping container into it.On Samos Island, a powerful overnight storm brought torrential rain and hailstones "t...