The number of company bankruptcies in Greece increased by 40.9%

In Greece In the first quarter of 2026, the number of new enterprises increased, but at the same time bankruptcies also increased sharply: there were 40.9% more than a year earlier.

According to Ελληνική Στατιστική Αρχή (ΕΛΣΤΑΤ, Greek Statistical Service), in the first three months of the year it was registered 40 251 new enterprise, and the number of bankruptcies has reached 179.

New business registrations increased by 9.1% compared to the first quarter of 2025, when it was recorded 36,909 new businesses. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, when it was registered 36 402 enterprises, growth amounted to 10.6%.

However, on the flip side of this picture is a noticeable increase in the number of bankruptcies. In the first quarter of 2026 there were 179 against 127 a year earlier. This means growth by 40.9%. In other words, entrepreneurial activity is growing, but along with it, the number of those who cannot withstand market pressure is growing.

Which industries grew faster?

Among the sectors with the largest contribution to the overall economic turnover, the highest growth in new registrations was recorded in construction — 32.3%. In second place was the sphere transport and warehousingwhere the number of new enterprises increased by 31.7%.

On the contrary, a decrease was recorded in the sector electricity, natural gas, steam and air conditioning – on 64.2%. In the field financial and insurance activities the drop was 4.0%.

Where were the most companies opened?

By geographic region, excluding special purpose farmers, the picture looks heterogeneous.

• IN Northern Greece the sector was in the lead transport and warehousing: 1 294 registrations from the total 9 338.
• IN Central Greece most new enterprises appeared in the sphere accommodation and catering: 947 registrations from 8 670.
• IN Attica the sector was in the lead transport and warehousing: 3,045 registrations from 16,860.
• On islands of the Aegean Sea and Crete took first place accommodation and catering: 952 registration from 5 383.

Legal form of business

• Among individual enterprises Most registrations were in the sector transport and warehousing — 4,822 from 27 120.
• Among personal companies were in the lead accommodation and catering: 1 606 registrations from 7 250.
• Among capital companies took first place property management: 125 registrations from 510. In category other legal forms the same sector also came out first: 1,077 registrations from 5 371.

Editorial comment

Statistics ΕΛΣΤΑΤ shows a dual picture. On the one hand, new enterprises continue to open in the country, especially in construction, transport, catering and real estate. This suggests that business activity has not disappeared, and in some sectors it is even accelerating.

On the other hand, the increase in bankruptcies 40.9% — alarm signal. It shows that behind the pretty numbers of new registrations lies a harsh reality: high costs, expensive loans, taxes, rent, energy and weak purchasing power continue to weigh on businesses.

There are many new companies being created in Greece, but the question is how many of them can survive beyond their first years. Opening a business is not success. In Greek conditions, this is often just the beginning of a marathon, where at the start you are given not water, but a tax notice.

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