Greece is expected to experience increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves until the end of the century, according to a new study by climate experts at Reinders Corporation. The research ranks the country seventh in Europe for heatwave vulnerability, underscoring the growing impact of climate change on southern Europe.

The study estimates that Greece will face an average of two major heatwaves each year by 2100, each lasting around 20 days with mean temperatures reaching 36.92°C (98.5°F). Although the country ranks high on the list, its overall score is moderated by slightly lower temperature intensity compared to heatwaves projected for Eastern Europe and Russia.

Reinders Corporation analyzed climate-modeling data for all European nations, evaluating heatwave frequency, cumulative duration, and average heatwave temperatures. These factors were combined into a single vulnerability score that identifies the ten European countries expected to be hit hardest by extreme heat in the coming decades.

France tops the list with the highest vulnerability score, followed by Russia, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Greece’s score of 58.38 places it ahead of countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Italy.

Eastern Europe emerges as an unexpected heatwave hotspot, with Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria all ranking within the top five. The study highlights that while Greece experiences one of the longest projected heatwave durations, its slightly lower average temperatures keep it mid-range among Europe’s most vulnerable nations.

“The seventh-place ranking offers important insight into Greece’s heatwave vulnerability,” said Gerrit Jan Reinders, CEO and climate-data specialist at Reinders Corporation. “Despite having the second-longest heatwave duration, Greece’s intensity is lower than what we expect in Eastern Europe and Russia.”

Reinders added that the warning signs of accelerating climate change are already visible worldwide. He pointed to unusual seasonal delays and ecological shifts, such as the latest-ever first snowfall on Japan’s Mount Fuji and the unprecedented appearance of mosquitoes in Iceland.

The study concludes that heatwave severity results from the combined effect of frequency, duration, and temperature intensity—not a single factor on its own. As Greece continues to warm, researchers warn that the country will need to brace for significant environmental, economic, and public-health challenges throughout the 21st century.