Greece attracted record foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 — exceeding both Turkey and all Balkan countries — according to the World Investment Report, published on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Total FDI inflows into Greece reached $12.86 billion, more than double the $5 billion recorded in 2019 and nearly ten times the $1.27 billion registered in 2015.
A Historic Milestone for Greek Investment
Thanks to sustained investment over recent years — and the gradual appreciation of those assets — Greece’s cumulative stock of foreign investment surpassed $100 billion last year. That figure is nearly double the $51.8 billion recorded in 2020, despite the global slowdown caused by the pandemic.
Greece Outperforms Regional Peers
Turkey — with a GDP at least five times larger than Greece’s and a population nearly nine times greater, according to the International Monetary Fund — drew $12.48 billion in FDI in 2025. Several Balkan countries, many of which offer significantly lower labour costs than Greece, also trailed behind. Bulgaria attracted $3.59 billion; Croatia just exceeded $3 billion; Albania recorded $1.85 billion; and Serbia secured $3.92 billion. Smaller economies — including North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina — each received less than $700 million.
Strong Momentum Continues Into 2026
Data from the Bank of Greece shows this positive trend continued into early 2026: foreign investment inflows in the first quarter totalled €4.4 billion, even amid regional uncertainty stemming from hostilities in the Middle East.
Beyond Real Estate: A Diversifying Economy
Greek government officials noted that UNCTAD’s findings not only confirm Greece’s emergence as a top-tier investment destination but also highlight its growing strategic role in the broader region. These investments are increasingly generating high-quality jobs and encouraging skilled Greeks who emigrated in previous years to return home.
Crucially, the investment landscape is shifting beyond real estate transactions and construction. Key sectors now attracting major capital include energy, healthcare services, and corporate growth through mergers and acquisitions — with a focus on building globally competitive ‘champions’.
“This is yet another tangible sign that Greece’s productive model is gradually transforming — and that shift is having a positive ripple effect across multiple dimensions,” said a source familiar with the economic policy team’s planning.