Greek July current account surplus shrinks despite higher tourism receipts

Sept 21 (Reuters) — Greece's current account surplus was down sharply in July from a year earlier despite higher tourism revenue, as wider primary and secondary income deficits outweighed gains from travel and other services, Bank of Greece data showed on Monday. July current account surplus at €218.5 million ($250.8 million) versus €669.1 million in July 2025. The services surplus increased to €4.65 billion in July from €4.39 billion a year earlier, supported by higher travel receipts. Travel receipts rose to €4.72 billion from €4.41 billion a year earlier. Non-resident arrivals dropped by 3.1% year-on-year in July. The primary income deficit in July widened to €682.8 million from €567.2 million a year earlier, as a result of a rise in net interest, dividend and profit payments. Secondary income balance showed a €598.0 million deficit compared with a €236.5 million deficit in July 2025, due to higher net payments mainly in the general government sector. For January-July 2026, the current account deficit increased to €9.32 billion from €7.83 billion a year earlier. ($1 = 0.8712 euros) (Reporting by Antonis Pothitos; Editing by Kevin Liffey) ((antonis.pothitos@thomsonreuters.com;.