Greece

At a glance

Greece joined the euro area on 1 January 2001. Euro banknotes and coins were introduced on 1 January 2002. Until that date the euro was the official currency but only existed as 'book money'. The euro replaced the Greek drachma (GRD) at the fixed conversion rate of EUR 1 = GRD 340.750.

Greece is represented by Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister, at Euro Summit meetings and by its Minister for Finance, Giannis Stournaras, at Eurogroup meetings.

Adoption of the euro: 01/01/2001
Former currency: Greek drachma (EUR 1 = GRD 340.750 )
GDP per capita (current prices): €19 000 (2011 - Eurostat)
Number of votes at the Council of the EU: 12
Member of the Schengen area: Yes
Official languages: Greek (el)

Government

Greece has a unicameral parliamentary system. The Greek Parliament (Voulí ton Ellínon, or Council of the Greeks) has 300 members elected for four years.

The President of the Republic is the head of state, elected by the Parliament for five years. The term may be renewed once.

The President has no political power. Executive power rests with the Prime Minister.

Other facts:

Political system: republic
Voting age: 18, voting compulsory
National Day: 25 March (date of independence from the Ottoman Empire – 1821)

Institutions

Contacts

Permanent Representation to the EU

Rue Jacques de Lalaing/Jacques de Lalaingstraat 19-21
1040 Bruxelles/Brussel
BELGIUM
Tel. +32 25515611

E-mail: mea.bruxelles@rp-grece.be
Website

Documents

Excessive Deficit Procedure

10-12-2012	Council Decision amending Decision 2011/734/EU addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
13-03-2012	Council Decision amending Decision 2011_734_EU addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
08-11-2011	Council Decision amending Decision 2011_…_EU* of 12 July 2011 addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
12-07-2011	Council Decision addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
07-03-2011	Council Decision amending Decision 2010/320/EU addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
20-12-2010	Council Decision amending Decision 2010_320_EU addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
16-11-2010	Statement by Eurogroup - Greece
07-09-2010	COUNCIL DECISION amending addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening the fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
10-05-2010	Council Decision addressed to Greece with a view to reinforcing and deepening fiscal surveillance and giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
15-03-2010	Action taken by Greece in response to the Council Decision of 16 February 2010 and to implement its Stability Programme - Terms of reference of the Eurogroup
16-02-2010	COUNCIL DECISION giving notice to Greece to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary in order to remedy the situation of excessive deficit
02-12-2009	COUNCIL DECISION establishing whether effective action has been taken by Greece in response to the Council Recommendation of 27 April 2009

Status:

Member

Key facts and figures

Member of the euro area: since 1 January 2001
EU accession: 1 January 1981
Capital: Athens
Population: 11 290 785 (2012 - Eurostat)
Area: 131 957 km2

Representatives

	Euro Summit Antonis Samaras
	Eurogroup Giannis Stournaras