Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and other anti-communist and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974 following the collapse of the dictatorship, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 2001. Greece has suffered a severe economic crisis since late 2009, due to nearly a decade of chronic overspending and structural rigidities. Since 2010, Greece has entered three bailout agreements with the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), the IMF, and with the third, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The Greek Government agreed to its current, $96 billion bailout in August 2015, which will conclude in August 2018.

Source: The CIA World Factbook - Greece



Your advisors at the Chamber of Commerce

Regina Khvastunova

Contact us: europe@cc.lu


Key indicators

Area
131,957 km2
Population
10,569,703 (July 2021 est.)
Government type
parliamentary republic
Languages
Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1%
GDP
$189.41 billion (2020 est.)
Growth rate
-8.2% (2020 est.)
HDI
32
Capital
Athens

Macroeconomic indicators

GDP growth is projected to rise to 2.3% in 2019. Exports will be the main driver of growth, benefitting from rising external demand and improved competitiveness. Investment and private consumption will recover as confidence rebuilds, following improved fiscal crediblity. Continuing high excess capacity will limit price and wage pressures.

In 2018, the budget surplus will out-perform the medium-term target, through restrained expenditure and improved tax collection, but then decline towards the target in 2019. Still, public debt remains high. Reducing it will require sustained pro-growth reforms, high primary surpluses and additional debt restructuring. Full reform implementation and keeping the momentum are key to strengthening inclusive growth. Ongoing reforms to better administer and target social protection will relieve high poverty, especially among children.

Source: OECD - Economic Forecast

 

IMF Statistics:

Subject descriptor 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Gross domestic product, constant prices

Percent change

(Units)

8.380

5.557

2.011

2.038

1.932

Gross domestic product, current prices

Percent change

(Billions)

214.811

217.753

238.275

250.276

260.452

Gross domestic product per capita, current prices

Percent change

(Units)

20,115.924

20,818.073

22,805.197

23,965.779

24,952.668

Inflation, average consumer prices

Percent change

(Units)

0.574

9.300

4.155

2.749

2.096

Volume of imports of goods and services

Percent change

(Units)

8.975

3.413

-1.463

2.497

2.949

Volume of exports of goods and services

Percent change

(Units)

21.463

9.124

2.840

1.847

3.009

Unemployment rate

Percent change

(Units)

14.775

12.425

10.891

9.357

8.658

Current account balance

Percent change

(Billions)

-15.258

-23.390

-16.539

-16.343

-13.869

Current account balance

Percent change

(Units)

-7.103

-10.741

-6.941

-6.530

-5.325

Estimates
  

Source: IMF Statistics - Greece


Relationships with Luxembourg

Existing conventions and agreements

Non double taxation agreement 

In order to promote international economic and financial relations in the interest of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg government negotiates bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on fortune with third countries.

  • Convention from 22.11.1991 (Memorial 1992, A No.96, p.2643)
  • Effective as of 01.01.1996 (Memorial 1992, A No.96, p.2643)

Air Services agreement

  • Agreement from 10.22.1951 (Memorial 1953, p. 249 )
  • Effective as of 10.08.1953 (Memorial 1953, p. 1079)

Source: Administration des contributions directes


Further information

Foreign Trade

The Statec Foreign Trade statistics provide information on the trade of goods - by product and by country. This information is collected respectively through the INTRASTAT declaration and on the basis of customs documents.

You can see the statistics on the website of the Statec.

Contact points in Greece

Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Greece

Ambassador with residence in Athens: Mr Paul STEINMETZ

23A, avenue Vassilissis Sofias 2, 
Street Neofytou Vamva
GR - 10674 Athens
Greece

Tel.: +30 210 725 64 00
Fax: +30 210 725 64 05
E-Mail: athenes.amb@mae.etat.lu 

 

Honorary consuls

Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the Region of Attica:

Ms Artémis PAPATHEODOROU

42C Tzavella
154 51 Néo Psychico
Athens
Greece

Tel.: (+30) 210 672 18 91
Fax: (+30) 210 677 34 44
E-Mail: athenes@consul-hon.lu 

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09h00-17h00

Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the Department of Macedonia:

Mr Yannis VERGINIS

47, rue Stélios Kazantzidis
Pylaia – Ktiro thermi 1
BP. 8101 - 57001 Thessalonique
Greece

Tel.: (+30) 2310 999994
Mobile: (+30) 6944 324 546
Fax: (+30) 2310 999997
E-Mail: verginis.conslux@gmail.com 

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08h00-16h00
 

Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over Crete:

Mr Georgios AERAKIS

2-4, rue Thessalonikis - 2ème étage
71 201 Héraklion - Crete
Greece

Tel.: (+30) 2810 224 001; (+30) 2810 282 625
Mobile: (+30) 6976 418 091
E-Mail : heraklion@consul-hon.lu 

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09h00 – 15h00

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Luxembourg

Economic and Commercial Attaché (AWEX) in charge of Greece, Cyprus, Kosovo and Albania:

Economic and Commercial Attaché: Ms Geneviève WLAZEL 

Odos Sekeri, 3
10671 Athens
Greece

Tel.: +30 210 36 10 120
Fax: +30 210 36 10 117
E-Mail: athenes@awex-wallonia.com 

Source: Awex

 

Country risk as defined by Office du Ducroire for Greece

Ducroire is the only credit insurer covering open account deals in over 200 countries. A rating on a scale from 1 to 7 shows the intensity of the political risk. Category 1 comprises countries with the lowest political risk and category 7 countries with the highest. Macroeconomics experts also assess the repayment climate for all buyers in a country.

Link: Ducroire Office - Country Risk for Greece

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