Greece

Greece, Israel and Cyprus to step up joint exercises in eastern Mediterranean

Greece, Israel and Cyprus will step up joint air and naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean in 2026, deepening their defence cooperation, Greek military officials and a senior source said…

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Greece bans protests near memorial outside parliament

Greece's parliament banned demonstrations near a prominent war memorial outside its building in Athens despite criticism by opposition parties that the new restrictions violated people's right to rally in public.…

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In EU first, Greece set to introduce 13-hour workday

Factory workers, cashiers and hotel staff in Greece could soon be working longer shifts, with the country set to become the first EU member to officially introduce a 13-hour workday for…

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Tourists to Greece Spend Less on Restaurants, More on Supermarkets

Greece’s restaurant sector is seeing weaker sales this summer despite record arrivals of foreign visitors, as more tourists opt for supermarket meals and cooking at short-term rentals, industry officials said.…

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Strong earthquake strikes Evia island, felt in Athens

An earthquake rattled Athens on Tuesday morning with no reports of any damage or fatalities. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the quake, of magnitude 5.2, was off Evia island about…

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Greece’s travel sector sees 6 billion euro surplus in first half of 2025

The Greek travel services sector saw a surplus of 6 billion euros ($7 billion) in the first half of 2025, a 9.1% increase from the previous year, the data from…

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Greek seafarer shortage impacting industry

Ship management firm Columbia is calling for urgent reforms in Greece’s maritime education to address a shortage of qualified seafarers. The company, headquartered in Limassol but with 33 management offices…

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Greece may extend North Africa asylum ban if migrant flow resurges

Greece could extend a suspension on examining asylum applications passed by parliament last month if migrant flows from Libya start rising again, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said on Thursday. In…

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Santorini Stumbles as Lesser-Known Greek Islands Rise and Demand Greater Control

The summer tourism landscape in Greece is showing signs of a notable shift, as interest in some of the country's most iconic destinations wanes while lesser-known islands gain ground. Foreign…

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Athens wary of Libya uncertainty

Greece remains wary of mounting instability in Libya, as unconfirmed reports suggest the Libyan parliament in Benghazi may be preparing to ratify the illegal 2019 maritime accord with Turkey. The…

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Libyan coast guards train in Greece under plan to stem migrant flows

Libyan coast guard officers have started training on the Greek island of Crete as part of a plan to strengthen cooperation and help the two countries stem a surge in…

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Greece invites Libya to maritime zone talks to ease strained ties

Greece has invited Libya's internationally recognised government in Tripoli to start talks on demarcating exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said late on Wednesday. The…

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Greece pushes EU to take tough line on migration

Greece has presented other EU governments with what it called its strictest plan to deter migrants and is pushing for “return hubs” outside the continent. The country’s newly appointed migration…

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Tripoli Stonewalls Athens on EEZ as Turkish Influence Prevails

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis visited Libya’s capital without achieving substantial progress on maritime boundary delimitation, the key issue affecting relations between Athens and Tripoli’s government. According to diplomatic sources,…

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Greek tanker fleet steps up ship inspections near Russian ports after mysterious blasts

Greek shipping companies calling at Russian ports are boosting their vessels' defences after a series of mysterious blasts in recent months have damaged tankers linked to Moscow's oil trade according…

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Greece to Introduce Tougher Measures to Deter Migrant Arrivals

Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris on Thursday indicated that the government is planning to introduce new “disincentives” as part of a crackdown on migrant arrivals following an influx from…

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Greece to suspend processing asylum applications from north Africa for three months

Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has just told the parliament that Greece will suspend processing asylum applications for migrants arriving on boat from north Africa. In comments reported by Kathimerini,…

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Greece Hosts Growing US Military Presence as Regional Focus Intensifies

The United States has increased its use of key military facilities in Greece, including the strategically located Souda Bay and the northern port of Alexandroupoli, amid heightened tensions in the…

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Short-term rentals in Greece grow the fastest in Southern Europe in Q1

Overnight stays in domestic short-term rental accommodation recorded a significant annual increase of 15.2% in the first quarter of this year. According to data Eurostat published this week on the…

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Greek banks eye expansion abroad

Greek banks are engaging in outward business moves, with acquisitions and partnerships to expand their footprint in the wider regional and European space. Leading the way are Alpha Bank through…

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Libya objects to Greek tender for hydrocarbon exploration off Crete

Libya's internationally recognised government of national unity has objected to Greece's approval of an international tender for hydrocarbon exploration off the island of Crete, saying some of the blocks infringe…

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Greece sending Navy ships to monitor migrant vessels off Libya

Greece is planning to sent Navy ships outside Libya’s territorial waters “as a precaution” to monitor migrant flows, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday, during a regular meeting with the President…

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Patriot missile systems being moved to Souda base in Crete

An undisclosed number of Greek Patriot missile systems are being relocated to the Hellenic Navy and NATO base at Souda Bay in Crete to provide anti-ballistic protection to American assets…

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EU fines Greece €400M over farm aid debacle

The European Commission has hit Greece with a fine of nearly €400 million for mismanaging EU farm funding and inadequate controls. Brussels has ordered Athens to forfeit €392.2 million in…

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Greece arrests US man with Malta link over mother and child deaths in Rome park

Italian police arrested a U.S. citizen on Friday in connection with the death of a woman and her baby daughter whose naked bodies were found in a park in central…

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Cruise passenger fees in Greece set to rise

Reports in the Greek media indicate that cruise ship passenger fees will increase from July 1. The fee will be imposed per passenger and per port and its amount will…

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Israel’s state plane, Wing of Zion, departs for Athens amid fears of Iranian retaliation

The Wing of Zion, Israel’s own version of Air Force One, took off from Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday morning as Israel initiated an assault on Iranian nuclear facilities as part…

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Decline in the number of applications for Greek “Golden Visa”

The number of new applications for residence permits through the “Golden Visa” program declined significantly in April, showing the first signs of de-escalation. Based on data from the Ministry of…

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Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers

Greece has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. The Mediterranean nation was…

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UPDATED: Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes Crete

A very strong earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, occurred at 06:19 (Greek time) 56 kilometers north-northeast of Heraklion, Crete, according to data from the Geodynamic Institute of the…

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Greece to Restrict Sea Sports During Peak Hours on Athens Riviera

Greece’s Port Authority will restrict the use of recreational sea vehicles during peak afternoon hours along the Athens Riviera this summer in an effort to improve safety and reduce disturbances…

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Greece Bans Caravan Parking in Public Spaces

Greece has approved a law that will dramatically change the handling of motorhomes and caravans in the country, as it broadly bans parking of any type of caravan or trailer…

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Greece to repay first bailout loans by 2031, 10 years early

Greece will pay off loans granted under the first of three debt-crisis bailouts by 2031, two government officials told Reuters, as the country seeks to lose its label as the…

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Cyprus flights cancelled due to strike in Greece

An air traffic control strike in Greece has affected 31 flights to and from Cyprus’ airports to and from those in Athens and Salonica, Hermes Airports said on Wednesday. Due…

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Greece announces ‘drastic’ defense overhaul

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday that the government will spend some €25 billion euros ($27 billion) on its military through 2036. Mitsotakis called it the "most drastic"…

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Greece is Europe’s cheapest, Malta most expensive, for luxury holidays

Greece has recently been building a name for luxury holidays, away from the traditional, low-cost sea-and-sun pattern of last century, offering greater value for money than its regional rivals. A…

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Greece ready to participate in an international force in Ukraine under three conditions

Greece will participate in an international force in Ukraine only under three conditions: a ceasefire agreement, no deployment on Russian soil, and a clear exit strategy if hostilities resume. Prime…

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Greece issues severe weather alert for Tuesday and Wednesday

The Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an emergency weather warning for Tuesday and Wednesday, predicting a significant temperature drop of up to 15 degrees Celsius, along with heavy…

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Greece elects former parliament speaker as new president

Greece's parliament elected its former speaker, Constantine Tassoulas, as the country's president on Wednesday, approving the conservative government's nominee for the largely ceremonial role. Tassoulas will be sworn in as…

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Israel Preparing for Possible Tsunami Amid Greek Seismic Activity

Israel must ramp up preparations for a possible tsunami, the Deputy Head of the National Security Council emphasized during an emergency meeting with government ministries and disaster response agencies on…

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Greece declares state of emergency on Santorini after earthquakes

Greece's authorities have declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist destination. More than 10,000 residents and workers fled the island this…

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Strong earthquake near Santorini after days of tremors

A strong earthquake has been recorded between the Greek islands of Amorgos and Santorini, after days of consecutive tremors in the area. More than 11,000 people have already left Santorini…

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Seismic Alerts in Santorini: What You Need to Know

Residents and tourists on the Greek island of Santorini have been put on high alert after an increase in seismic activity. Since Friday, the island has been hit by more…

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Hundreds of tourists flee Santorini as earthquake activity continues

Residents and tourists are evacuating the Greek island of Santorini after increased seismic activity in recent days, with airlines and ferry operators arranging additional transport to facilitate departures. Frequent earthquakes…

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Microsoft Updates Greek Government on Cloud Region Investment Progress

Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta CEO Yanna Andronopoulou this week provided an update on the company’s significant Cloud Region investment to a high-profile government delegation. The briefing took place during…

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UPDATED: More needs to be done on returns, EU migration commissioner says

EU internal affairs and migration commissioner Magnus Brunner said that while the EU has changed its migration and asylum policy last year, there is still more to be done on…

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US interest in Greek Golden Visa has surged by 50% after Trump’s election

The Trump effect and the imminent ending of Spain’s Golden Visa scheme continue to boost American interest in Greece’s five-year residence card program based mainly on realty investments, with a…

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Greek PM nominates parliament speaker for presidential post

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas from his centre-right New Democracy party for the Greek presidency on Wednesday. President Katerina Sakellaropoulou's five-year term expires in March…

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Northern Greece braces for severe weather; school closures, snow chains ordered

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service has updated its severe weather bulletin. Heavy rain, strong storms, and snow are expected in northern Greece over the next few hours. The weather is…

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Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev’s Cousin Held In Greece Drugs Bust

A cousin of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, a British-Azeri DJ, has been arrested in a drug raid at a party near Athens, Greek police said Tuesday. Police said they arrested…

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Greece presents strategy to combat youth internet addiction

The Greek government announced on Monday a national strategy to protect minors from internet addiction and excessive social media use. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said protecting children's well-being was…

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50 years after the monarchy was abolished, former royal family regains Greek citizenship

Members of Greece’s former royal family have regained Greek citizenship and formally acknowledged the country’s republican system of government, in a landmark move 50 years after the monarchy was abolished.…

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Greece calls for overhaul of importation of third-country workers

The Greek migration and asylum minister announced a new institutional framework for legal immigration to drastically reduce times, shorten visa issuance procedures and extend the duration of the residence permit…

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Greece moves to shield children from online dangers

In a move to curb the growing risks associated with social media access for children, the Greek government is rolling out a multi-pronged strategy to protect minors under the age…

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Greece calls for increased EU defence role, cooperation with NATO

The European Union needs to boost its defence role and arms industry and improve cooperation with NATO, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday after talks with the military…

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Syriza Loses Main Opposition Status in Greece

Greece’s left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as the country’s main opposition group in parliament during an intensifying leadership battle. Two members of parliament announced Thursday they were quitting…

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Santorini backs strict building limits

Residents of the popular Greek tourist destination of Santorini are calling for stricter building regulations to protect their island’s unique landscape and cultural heritage. At a recent meeting at the…

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