Capital: Athens
Official EU language(s): Greek
EU member country: since 1 January 1981
Currency: euro. Greece has been a member of the Eurozone since 1 January 2001.
Schengen: Greece has been part of the Schengen area since 1 January 2000.
Figures: Geographical size – population – gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in PPS
Greece operates as a parliamentary republic, where the prime minister, holding the most political power, heads the government, while the president, with mainly ceremonial duties, serves as the head of state. The government exercises executive power.
Key sectors of Greece’s economy in 2020 included wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation, and food services (23.8%), public administration, defense, education, human health, and social work activities (21.6%), and real estate activities (15.9%).
Internally, 57% of Greece’s exports are traded within the EU, with Italy (11%) and Germany (8%) as significant partners. Externally, 4% of exports go to Turkey, and 4% to the United States.
Regarding imports, 57% come from EU Member States, with Germany (12%) and Italy (9%) being major contributors. Externally, 8% come from China, and 6% from Russia.
Greece is represented by 21 members in the European Parliament.
Representatives from the Greek government participate in regular Council meetings to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies.
Greece has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU during various periods, including July-December 1983, July-December 1988, and January-June 1994, among others.
Margaritis Schinas, nominated by Greece, serves as the Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life in the European Commission. The Commission maintains representation in Greece.
Greece is represented by 12 members on the European Economic and Social Committee, offering consultation on proposed laws affecting work and social situations.
Greece has 11 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, ensuring regional perspectives are considered in proposed laws.
Greece communicates with EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels, ensuring effective pursuit of the country’s interests and policies within the EU.
Greece’s contributions to the EU budget are determined fairly based on its economic means, supporting various programs and projects across EU countries. The EU budget prioritizes the needs of Europeans as a whole.
