Prices of materials used to build new homes in Greece rose 5.6% in September 2026 from a year earlier, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), in data released on 23 October 2026. A year earlier the annual rise was 2.2%.
On a monthly basis, the index rose 0.5% from August to September 2026, against 0.01% in the same months of 2025. The annual rate has picked up from 5% in August, which we covered in our report on August building materials prices.
All 15 material groups were more expensive than a year earlier. Paints and varnishes rose most, by 20.4%, after a 5.2% jump in September alone. The group had fallen 5.3% in September 2025, so part of the annual rise reflects a low starting point. Artificial stone rose 10.3% and natural stone 7.0%.
| Material group (selected) | Annual change, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| General materials index | +5.6% |
| Paints and varnishes | +20.4% |
| Artificial stone | +10.3% |
| Natural stone | +7.0% |
| Fuel for machinery (diesel), electricity, water | +6.9% |
| Electrical equipment | +6.0% |
| Cement, mortars and ready-mixed concrete | +5.4% |
| Floor and wall tiles and sanitary ware | +4.2% |
| Glass products | +3.5% |
The smallest rises were in glass products, at 3.5%, marble and granite, at 3.8%, and plumbing, heating and drainage supplies, at 4.0%. The index covers 85 material categories in 15 groups, from 1,490 price observations collected from 260 suppliers in six cities, including Athens and Thessaloniki. Prices exclude VAT. The index measures materials only, not labour.
What it means for buyers
Materials costs feed into the price of new homes and of renovation work. For off-plan property and renovation projects, materials are on average 5.6% dearer than a year ago, with finishes such as paint rising fastest. ELSTAT’s separate quarterly index, which adds labour, shows the overall cost of building a new home up 4.8% a year in the third quarter of 2026.
What happens next
ELSTAT publishes the materials index monthly.
