Budget: final nine-month primary surplus of €7.554 billion
A €35 million downward revision from provisional data. After the ministry’s adjustments, target overperformance is calculated at €305 million.
Updated 26.10.2026 · 09:14, Athens time — What changed
The January–September 2026 state-budget primary surplus was €7.554 billion, according to final figures published by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance on 26 October. The provisional 15 October figures showed €7.589 billion: a €35 million downward revision.
The target remains €5.129 billion and the corresponding 2025 result was €9.449 billion. The overall balance is now reported as a €127 million surplus, against €162 million provisionally.
Interpreting the target overperformance
The headline primary-surplus overperformance is €2.425 billion. After excluding payment-timing differences of €695 million in public investment, €385 million in armaments and €905 million in transfers, plus €135 million from the Elliniko casino concession, the ministry calculates €305 million, compared with the provisional announcement’s €340 million.
These figures concern central administration on a modified cash basis, rather than the fiscal balance of the whole general government. Final data publication is not a decision introducing new benefits or a new programme call. Earlier numbers remain below as history.
Earlier update — provisional figures
Greece’s state budget recorded a €7.589 billion primary surplus in January–September 2026, against a €5.129 billion target. The Ministry of National Economy and Finance released the provisional figures on 15 October. The corresponding 2025 result was €9.449 billion.
The overall balance showed a €162 million surplus, instead of a projected €1.897 billion deficit. Net revenue and expenditure reached €57.834 billion and €57.672 billion respectively.
Why caution is needed
The headline primary surplus exceeds target by €2.460 billion. After removing payment-timing effects and a specific receipt from the Elliniko casino concession, the ministry puts the excess at €340 million.
These are modified-cash figures for Central Administration, not the fiscal result of the whole General Government sector. The release is not a decision granting new benefits.
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