Illuminated signs and name-plates market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Greek market for illuminated signs and name-plates contracted under tightening regulatory constraints. The introduction of restrictive placement rules in public spaces in 2018, which required approval from the Urban and Architectural Control Committee, limited new installations to reduce visual pollution. This framework was reinforced in 2019 with stricter compliance checks and penalties for violations. In 2020, additional technical specifications, such as a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m² and a minimum 20 cm distance from public buildings, further increased compliance costs. These measures collectively suppressed domestic demand, leading the market to decline from 26.4 million USD in 2018 to 17.7 million USD in 2020.

Regulatory adjustments in 2021 temporarily reversed the trend. The inclusion of LED technologies in the norms and the mandate for energy-efficient lighting sources prompted businesses to replace older signs, boosting market volume to 21.5 million USD. However, in 2022, the integration of product labeling requirements, like energy labels and CE marking, into the licensing process added administrative hurdles. Coupled with a surge in exports, the domestic market shrank to 13.8 million USD.

From 2023 onward, the market entered a recovery phase. Without major new regulatory shifts, production and domestic demand expanded steadily. The market size grew to 16.5 million USD in 2023 and further to 23.9 million USD in 2024, suggesting that the industry adapted to the established norms and found new growth momentum.

Production illuminated signs and name-plates in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's production of illuminated signs and name-plates has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 14 983 thousand US dollars, marking a significant drop of 22.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 46.9%, with an average annual decline of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports illuminated signs and name-plates from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 80.3 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 186.2 tonnes, representing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, Greece exported 150.5 tonnes of illuminated signs and name-plates, down 19.2% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling 37.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising 131.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece supplied illuminated signs and name-plates to a wide range of markets. Bulgaria accounted for 14.0% of exports in kind, Romania for 11.7%, and Sweden for 11.1%, together making up 36.8% of total exports. The remaining 63.2% was distributed among many smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, exports of illuminated signs and name-plates from Greece increased in 2020. Exports totaled 2 077 thousand US dollars, up 3.2% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 69.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 32.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 012 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop that year of 61.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Sweden contributed 21.9% of exports in value, Romania 15.6%, and Bulgaria 8.1%, together accounting for 45.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports illuminated signs and name-plates to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 344.9 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 821.9 tonnes, a gap of 2.4 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments to Greece amounted to 344.9 tonnes, down 40.3% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising 71.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the largest contributor to imports in kind at 24.5%, followed by Germany at 22.8% and Cyprus at 13.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of illuminated signs and name-plates to Greece declined in 2020. Greece imported a total of 4 763 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 22.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 131 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's import partner portfolio for illuminated signs and name-plates in value terms was quite broad. Belgium accounted for 18.3% of imports in value, Germany for 14.4%, and China for 13.9%, together representing 46.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020