Extra tax takings of €2.5 bln, lower growth in draft budget

The pension raises and the adjustment of the minimum salary are expected to add to state revenue in the 2025 budget, combined with the growth of the Greek economy, according to the first draft the National Economy and Finance Ministry submitted on Monday in Parliament. At the same time, the high prices push the collections from both value-added tax and consumption taxes to higher levels, while the takings from tourism are far from negligible.

Forecasts for growth and investment are down compared to estimates six months ago, while public debt is also falling at a slower pace. Nevertheless, the forecasts for the primary surplus are more optimistic, as tax revenues fill state coffers.

The draft foresees a growth rate of 2.2% for this year and 2.3% for 2025. In the Stability Program submitted by the government in April to the European Commission, rates of 2.5% and 2.6%...