The construction sector in Greece is in a phase of recovery, with increased activity on construction projects and a corresponding rise in demand for modern and energy-efficient properties.According to data from a new survey by the Athens Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Industries (BEA), conducted in collaboration with KPMG, the sector’s annual turnover reached 24.3 billion euros, marking an 8.5% increase in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The sector is rebounding, driven by investment
Construction investment reached 6% of GDP in 2024, rebounding from crisis-era levels and those of 2020 (~4%). In addition, the sector employed approximately 210,000 workers in 2024, marking an increase of nearly 8.8% compared to 2023.
During the 2024–2026 period, investments exceeding 52 billion euros are expected to be mobilized, drawn from the Recovery Fund (TAA), the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), and private capital.
The average annual production index in the construction sector increased by 2.6% in 2025 compared to 2024, with the rise driven primarily by building projects and infrastructure.
However, despite the sector’s recovery, labor productivity in Greece continues to lag significantly behind the European average, as gross value added (GVA) per hour worked stood at 10 euros in 2024—a level 56% lower than the EU average (22 euros per hour).
Bureaucracy and payment delays
According to the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Konstantinos Damigos, the Chamber’s survey—which aimed to capture the real-life situation currently faced by Greek small and medium-sized enterprises—included technical firms engaged in renovations and construction.
In the survey, approximately half of the respondents (40%–60%) stated that their business operations had not been affected by price increases in basic materials.
However, bureaucracy remains a significant obstacle for the sector, as 79% of businesses report being affected by it to some extent, while 34% consider it a deterrent to their growth and operations.
Finally, a large number of businesses (88%) also face payment delays, with 50% experiencing them systematically and 38% to a limited extent.