Northern Evia Earthquake – Damage and School Closures

  • Two earthquakes struck northern Evia early Monday: a 4.6-magnitude quake followed by a 3.6 aftershock.
  • Both were shallow and strongly felt in Attica, including Athens.
  • Authorities closed schools in the affected municipality for building inspections.
  • Over 50 buildings reported damaged, including educational facilities.
  • Seismologists say the quakes align with regional tectonic activity and pose no major ongoing threat.
  • Scientists are monitoring for further activity but note the fault cannot produce much stronger earthquakes.

Tempi Disaster – PASOK Pushes for Felony Probe

  • PASOK proposes a preliminary investigation into nine former ministers (from New Democracy and SYRIZA) over the 2023 Tempi train crash.
  • Charges under Penal Code Article 291 could include transport safety violations punishable by up to life imprisonment.
  • Key figures targeted: ex-transport ministers Karamanlis and Spirtzis, plus seven deputies.
  • Government accuses PASOK of political exploitation.
  • SYRIZA and New Left may support a joint motion; the Communist Party calls for a broader parliamentary inquiry.
  • This follows an expert report blaming the explosion on engine oil and gas—not illegal cargo—which opposition parties and victims’ families dispute.

Armed Forces Pay Boost – Recruitment and Retention Plan

  • The Greek government has announced tiered salary increases for Armed Forces personnel.
  • Timeline:
    • April 1, 2025: €30 base pay raise.
    • July 1: €100 increase in hazard and special-conditions allowance.
    • October 1: Pay hike of 13–20% depending on rank and service years.
  • Over 80,000 personnel will benefit; sample increases:
    • Second lieutenant: +€3,540/year.
    • Lieutenant commander (18 years service): +€5,532/year.
  • Non-salary benefits to follow: affordable housing, improved military hospitals.
  • 4,000 housing units planned for personnel in remote areas.

Holiday Homes – Foreign Investment Soars

  • Foreign purchases of Greek holiday homes hit €1 billion in 2024—a 52.5% rise from 2023.
  • Popular regions: Crete, Rhodes, Ionian Islands, and coastal Peloponnese.
  • Buyers favor villas with gardens/pools priced between €250,000–€600,000, near infrastructure.
  • Top investor countries:
    • Germany: €162 million
    • Netherlands: €96 million
    • France: €77 million
  • Q1 2025 trends: sales up 103% (Belgium), 91% (Netherlands), 64% (Germany).
  • About half of foreign buyers rent their properties seasonally.

Airbnb Boom – Greece Sees 22% Booking Rise

  • Airbnb data shows a 22% year-on-year rise in summer bookings for Greece (June–August).
  • 18 of Europe’s top 20 markets report booking increases of 10% or more.
  • Top performers:
    • Poland: +37%
    • Czech Republic: +30%
    • Norway: +27%
  • Northern Europe growth more modest (8–12%).
  • Europe-wide:
    • 3.6 million listings
    • 36.6 million nights booked (+27%)
    • Average daily rate: €150
    • Occupancy: 59%
    • Revenue per available night: €88 (+23%)
  • In Greece, higher rates drive revenue despite only modest occupancy gains.