Greece Overtakes Ireland, Germany, Romania, Poland, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Malta, and More in 2025, Achieving a Remarkable One Hundred Fifty-Six Million Overnight Stays, A Testament to Its Resilient and Expanding Tourism Industry

Greece surpassed several major European nations, including Ireland, Germany, Romania, Poland, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, and Malta, to achieve an impressive 156 million overnight stays in 2025. This remarkable achievement highlights Greece’s robust and expanding tourism industry, as it continues to attract millions of international visitors year after year. The country’s diverse offerings—from its stunning islands to rich historical heritage and vibrant cities—have helped solidify its position as one of Europe’s top travel destinations, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges and a commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure.

In 2025, Greece recorded 156.2 million overnight stays, marking a significant increase from the 152.9 million stays in 2024. This 2.1% rise highlights the continued success and resilience of the country’s tourism industry, with more visitors opting to stay multiple nights in various types of accommodations, including hotels, resorts, and other lodging options. This increase demonstrates the appeal of Greece as a destination for both international and domestic travelers.

This total placed Greece fifth among the European Union (EU) countries in terms of overnight stays, trailing behind the four largest tourism markets in the EU: Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. Spain led with 513.6 million overnight stays, followed by Italy at 476.9 million, France with 471.7 million, and Germany at 442.1 million. Greece’s performance is noteworthy, given the size of these larger markets, showcasing Greece’s ability to remain a top choice for travelers.

Across the entire EU, the total number of overnight stays in tourist accommodations reached nearly 3.1 billion in 2025, which represents a 2.2% increase compared to 2024. This means an additional 66.4 million overnight stays were recorded across the EU. The overall growth highlights the strength of Europe’s tourism sector, with many countries experiencing increases in tourism-related activity.

A key contributor to the increase in overnight stays was international travel. The number of overnight stays by foreign visitors grew by 3.4%, adding a significant 49.7 million nights. This surge can be attributed to the increased global appeal of European destinations, with Greece being one of the standout performers. Additionally, domestic tourism in Greece also contributed to the growth. Local visitors accounted for an additional 16.7 million overnight stays, a rise of 1.1% compared to the previous year. This increase in domestic travel indicates a growing interest among residents to explore their own country, a trend that has been seen in many EU nations as people seek closer travel options in response to global uncertainties.

On the lower end of the scale, Luxembourg recorded the fewest overnight stays among EU countries, with just 3.6 million. Other countries that saw lower numbers included Latvia, with 5.0 million overnight stays, and Estonia, with 6.7 million. These numbers demonstrate the significant disparity between smaller and larger tourism markets within the EU, with certain countries struggling to attract as many visitors as their larger counterparts. While these nations are still valuable destinations for specific types of tourism, they do not match the volume of stays seen in more prominent European destinations like Greece.

Of the 27 EU member states, 24 reported an increase in overnight stays in 2025. The countries that saw the most significant growth included Malta, which experienced a remarkable 10.1% rise in overnight stays. Poland also saw strong performance, with a 7.2% increase in overnight stays. Both countries are emerging as key tourism hubs within the EU, with Malta’s allure as a Mediterranean destination and Poland’s growing appeal for both cultural tourism and nature-based travel. Malta, in particular, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years due to its rich history, diverse landscapes, and increasing focus on luxury and sustainable tourism.

However, not all EU countries experienced growth. Some countries, such as Luxembourg, Romania, and Ireland, reported declines in overnight stays. Luxembourg saw a decrease of 2.4%, while Romania’s overnight stays dropped by 1.7%, and Ireland saw a marginal decline of 0.4%. These declines indicate challenges faced by these countries in maintaining tourism growth. Factors such as economic conditions, political instability, and global travel trends may have played a role in these decreases, which could have been exacerbated by global uncertainties or a shift in traveler preferences.

In the final quarter of 2025, the trend of increasing overnight stays continued across most of the EU. Overnight stays in the fourth quarter rose by 3.0% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by 25 of the EU’s 27 countries, including some notable performances from Ireland and Malta. Ireland saw a significant 12.0% increase in overnight stays, while Malta experienced a 10.9% rise during the same period. These figures highlight the continued appeal of certain destinations, particularly during the winter months, as travelers seek warmer climates or culturally enriching experiences in Europe.

On the other hand, two countries—Romania and Luxembourg—reported declines in the fourth quarter. Romania faced a 4.6% decrease in overnight stays, while Luxembourg experienced a slight drop of 0.4%. The reasons behind these declines may be complex, ranging from regional political challenges to changing consumer travel preferences. However, these countries still hold a place in the EU tourism landscape, and the tourism industry will likely focus on ways to boost growth through targeted marketing and infrastructure investments.

In 2025, Greece surpassed countries like Ireland, Germany, and Spain with 156 million overnight stays, driven by its expanding tourism infrastructure, strategic marketing, and appeal as a diverse and resilient destination.

In summary, 2025 proved to be another successful year for Europe’s tourism sector, with Greece standing out as a top performer among EU countries. The increase in overnight stays across the EU reflects a resilient and growing industry, with countries like Malta and Poland leading the charge in terms of growth. While some nations faced challenges, the overall trend of increasing overnight stays highlights the continued strength of European tourism, as travelers seek out both familiar and emerging destinations. With such growth, the EU tourism sector is poised to continue its upward trajectory, driven by international visitors and a growing appreciation for domestic travel options.

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