Greece ranks last among EU member states in exports of services to countries outside the European Union, holding a modest 3.3 percent share, according to the latest Eurostat figures.
The 2023 figure highlights the country’s limited participation in Europe’s booming service-export market, in which trade in finance, digital technologies, business consulting, and logistics continues to expand.
While services such as tourism, shipping, and professional activities remain central to Greece’s economy, their export reach beyond the EU remains relatively small.
EU service exports reach $1.67 trillion
In 2023, the European Union exported €1.44 trillion ($1.67 trillion) in services to non-EU countries, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s leading providers of high-value, knowledge-based services.
The Eurostat data reveals that service exports are increasingly crucial to the EU’s overall trade balance, supporting millions of jobs across the continent.
53.5% of exported services to countries outside the EU in 2023 were carried out by large enterprises (250+ employees).🏢
Largest contributions recorded in:
🇩🇪Germany (72.8%)
🇫🇮Finland (66.7%)Lowest in:
🇬🇷Greece (3.3%)
🇭🇷Croatia (14.7%)Learn more 👉https://t.co/NgRnFvL50d pic.twitter.com/XRc8kOtQbw
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) October 27, 2025
Large economies lead Europe’s service trade
Within the EU, the largest exporters of services to countries outside the bloc remain the major industrial and financial economies. Germany, France, and the Netherlands dominate the ranking, reflecting their strong performance in business, financial, and digital services. Ireland and Luxembourg also rank among the top exporters, driven largely by foreign-controlled enterprises in technology and finance.
In contrast, southern and eastern EU members, including Greece, maintain smaller shares of the total, reflecting structural differences in industrial capacity, corporate scale, and digital competitiveness.
Smaller states show agility and growth
Some smaller EU economies, however, stand out for their agility in service exports. Malta and Estonia, for example, record high export activity relative to their size, particularly in financial services, information and communications technology, and the digital platforms.
Their performance shows how targeted innovation policies and a strong digital infrastructure can help smaller nations compete globally.
