Lower deficit, higher surplus in the 8-month period

The budget showed, for the period January–August 2026, a picture better than its targets, according to the final figures published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday, September 25, 2026. The deficit of the state budget amounted to 475 million euros, against a target deficit of 1,611 million euros, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The primary result was surplus of 6,534 million euros, against a target for primary surplus of 4,989 million euros, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The net revenue of the state budget amounted to 51,351 million euros, exceeding the target that had been set, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The primary result is the balance of revenues and expenditures of the budget before the deduction of interest payments that the State makes on its debt; when it is positive, as in the case of 6,534 million euros recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, it means that revenues exceeded the operational spending of the state before adding the cost of debt service. The January–August period is monitored separately because it constitutes the first eight months of the year, for which the ministry has set intermediate execution targets, so as to monitor budget performance before the completion of the fiscal year; the figures published Friday are described as final, meaning they constitute the final recording of execution for the specific period and are not expected to be revised.

The deviation between the actual deficit of 475 million euros and the target of 1.611 billion euros, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, leaves the State a greater fiscal margin compared with what had been initially budgeted for the eight months. These figures come at a time when households continue to be burdened by high energy costs, with electricity wholesale prices having recently recorded a record at 213.62 €/MWh, and increased cost of living, as the cost of the basic food basket has become more expensive by 11.9%. The ministry did not accompany the budget execution figures with reference to support measures, however, the better picture of revenues and deficit forms the context within which any interventions for households are examined.

The final figures for the eight months concern only part of the 2026 fiscal year, as the last months of the year remain until completion of the budget execution. The Ministry of Economy and Finance will continue to publish monthly execution figures through the end of 2026, which will show whether the trend recorded for the eight months — with deficit lower than the target, primary surplus higher than the target and revenues above the target, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance — will be maintained until the close of the fiscal year. Alongside this, announcements are expected to arrive regarding other aspects of cost of living, such as the schedule for fuels and heating oil, which will function as a complement to the picture of the state budget presented to the public Friday.