Greek Businesses 2026: Growth, AI, and Smarter Payments

Greek businesses are entering 2026 with cautious optimism, a clear focus on growth, and a growing willingness to leverage technology as a tool to strengthen their competitiveness. Particularly in the field of payment management, Artificial Intelligence appears to be steadily gaining ground, as more and more businesses consider it a critical factor for improving efficiency and reducing delays.

This is the key conclusion of the Intrum Group’s European Payment Report, in which businesses from 20 countries and 15 different sectors participated. For the Greek market, the findings show that, despite the ongoing pressures, the growth outlook remains strong and is paired with increasing interest in technological transformation.

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Growth Remains the Top Business Priority

Despite the difficulties that continue to be recorded on the front of overdue receivables, growth remains a priority for 63% of businesses—a figure aligned with the European average. At the same time, 46% view buy now, pay later solutions positively, believing they can strengthen customer loyalty.

However, the picture is not one-dimensional. 68% of Greek businesses say they are concerned because customers and partners are struggling to pay their invoices on time, a development that increases the risk of financial instability. In parallel, broader economic uncertainty—combined with international trade and geoeconomic developments—worries 55% of businesses, while inflation continues to pressure 53%, increasing operating costs and squeezing profit margins.

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AI Moves from Theory to Practice in Payments

Within this environment, Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a key tool for improving efficiency, particularly in payment management. Greek businesses already show a high level of familiarity with these technologies, as 66% say they use AI tools—a figure comparable to the European average.

Perceptions of AI’s contribution become even stronger in the detailed findings of the survey. 63% believe that advancements in AI will significantly enhance the ability to manage overdue receivables, up from 56% in 2025. Meanwhile, 55% believe that without integrating AI tools into back-office operations, their business risks falling behind the competition.

The message that emerges is clear: for many businesses, the discussion is no longer about whether the technology will be adopted, but how quickly—and in what way—it will be embedded into day-to-day operations.

Customer Communication: Opportunities and Concerns

The use of AI in customer communication continues to raise concerns, without stopping its momentum. 27% of businesses say they rely increasingly on AI interfaces such as chatbots and virtual assistants, while 22% believe that customers prefer these channels when discussing issues related to overdue debts.

At the same time, roughly 4 in 10 businesses express concern about the risks associated with AI use—primarily around data protection, trust, and internal governance. This indicates that broader adoption will depend not only on technical capabilities, but also on establishing clear usage frameworks and strengthening relevant skills.

The consumer perspective is also interesting. According to the European Consumer Payment Report for 2025, 34% said they would feel more comfortable discussing their financial situation with an AI bot. This finding suggests that, under the right conditions, Artificial Intelligence can serve not only as an automation tool, but also as a channel for more immediate and less emotionally burdensome communication.

The Key Takeaway for 2026

Greek businesses are looking at 2026 with growth ambitions, without underestimating the pressures still caused by payment delays, inflation, and economic uncertainty. Within this environment, Artificial Intelligence appears to be taking on a more substantive role—not only as a means of automation, but also as a tool for better organization, forecasting, and management of financial flows.

The critical challenge for businesses is not simply to adopt AI, but to use it in a way that simultaneously enhances efficiency, transparency, and trust in their transactions.