Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections refer to the whole country and they cover the divisions 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 68, 69, 70.2, 71, 73, 74, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 και 82 of economic activity, according to NACE Rev.2 (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community).
For the compilation of the indices, turnover data are collected monthly from a sample of companies with economic activity in the above sectors. The indices are compiled monthly for each division, with working-day adjustment (actual number of working days).
3.2. Classification system
The statistical classification of economic activities NACE Rev.2 is applied, in conformity with Regulation (EC) 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and Council.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The Turnover Indices in Services cover economic activities listed in sections H, I, J, M and N of NACE Rev.2 (H-Transportation and Storage, I-Accommodation and food service activities, J-Information and communication, M-Professional, scientific and technical activities, N-Administrative and support service activities) and more specifically the following divisions:
Section H
Division 49 - Land transport and transport via pipelines
Division 50 - Water transport
Division 51 - Air transport
Division 52 - Warehousing and support activities for transportation
Division 53 - Postal and courier activities
Section I
Division 55 - Accommodation
Division 56 - Food and beverage service activities
Section J
Division 58 - Publishing activities
Division 59 - Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities
Division 60 - Programming and broadcasting activities
Division 61 - Telecommunications
Division 62 - Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
Division 63 - Data processing and information activities
Section L
Division 68 - Real estate activities
Section M
Division 69 - Legal and accounting activities
Group 70.2 - Management consultancy activities
Division 71 - Architectural and engineering activities and related technical consultancy activities
Division 73 - Advertising, market research and public opinion polling activities
Division 74 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities
Section N
Division 77 - Rental and Leasing activities
Division 78 - Employment activities
Division 79 - Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities
Division 80 - Security and investigation activities
Division 81 - Services to buildings and landscape activities
Division 82 - Office administrative, office support and other business support activities.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are important business indicators, which show the evolution of the services market.
The objective of these indices is to measure in value terms the activity of the surveyed sectors. Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the enterprise during the reference period (quarter), which correspond to the sales of goods or services supplied to third parties and excludes VAT.
The definitions used, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1503/2006 defining variables and frequency of data compilation are as follows:
Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, which correspond to sales of goods or services supplied to third parties. It also includes any other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) charged to the customer, even if these expenses are listed separately in the invoice.
Turnover excludes VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover, as well as all duties and taxes on the services invoiced by the enterprise. Reductions in prices, rebates and discounts, as well as the value of returned packaging must be deducted. Price reductions, rebates and bonuses conceded later to clients, for example at the end of the year, are not taken into account. Income classified as other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income in company accounts is excluded from turnover.
According to this definition, the items generally included are:
sales of manufactured products;
sales of products manufactured by subcontractors;
sales of goods purchased for resale in the same condition as received;
invoiced services provided;
sales of by-products;
invoiced charges for packaging and transport;
hours worked invoiced to third parties for labour-only subcontracting;
invoiced mounting, installation and repairs;
invoiced instalments (stage payments);
invoiced development of software and software licenses;
sales of supplied electric power, gas, heat, steam and water;
sales of waste and scrap materials;
subsidies on products.
Subject to the treatment of the income classified as ‘other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income’ in company accounts, the items generally excluded are:
VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover, as well as all duties and taxes on the goods or services invoiced by the unit;
commissions;
leases and rentals;
leases for own production units and machines if used by third parties;
leases of company-owned buildings;
receipts for license fees;
receipts from staff facilities (for example from a factory canteen);
the supply of products and services within the observation unit;
sales of own land and fixed assets;
sales or leases of own properties;
sales of shares;
interest receipts and dividends;
other extraordinary income.
The above items may be included if they generate turnover in the principle field of operation of the observation unit.
3.5. Statistical unit
The research unit (observation unit) used for the collection of the survey data is the enterprise per Kind of Activity Unit (KAU).
3.6. Statistical population
Concerning the survey of The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections for the abovementioned divisions of the NACE Rev.2, the population of enterprises is the units with annual turnover in 2015 equal or higher than:
50,000 euro for division 74,
75,000 euro for divisions 69 & 71,
80,000 euro for division 56,
100,000 euro for divisions 63, 68, 70.2, 77, 81 & 81.2,
125,000 euro for division 59,
200,000 euro for division 53,
220,000 euro for division 55,
300,000 euro for divisions 49, 50, 58, 62, 73, 78 & 82,
380,000 euro for division 79,
400,000 euro for division 80,
600,000 euro for division 52,
29,500,000 euro for division 53 and
315,000,000 euro for division 61.
The above thresholds are selected so that the total turnover of the enterprises included in the reference population of each division represents about 70% of the total turnover of the division. The sampling unit used is the enterprise per Kind of Activity Unit (KAU). The population for the above-mentioned divisions of the NACE Rev. 2 statistical classification, is 46,284 enterprises in the reference base year 2021, from which a random representative sample of 6,235 enterprises was therefore selected and surveyed.
3.7. Reference area
The turnover indices cover the whole country.
Generally, no activities outside the national territory are covered.
Nevertheless,there is not information to distinguish turnover from any activities produced outside the country and included in the data of the enterprises.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The time series of The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections (2021=100.0) is published monthly, covering the period from 2021 (2021=100.0) onwards, and the published time series begins since January 2021.
3.9. Base period
Base year: 2021=100.0.
Indices, monthly and annual rates of change (%).
The reference period is the month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal framework concerning the organization and operation of ELSTAT is as follows:
Law 3832/2010 (Government Gazette No 38, Issue Α): "Hellenic Statistical System Establishment of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) as an Independent Authority", as amended and in force.
Regulation on the Operation and Administration of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), 28 August 2012, (Government Gazette No 2390, Issue B).
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on the European statistics (Official Journal of the European Union L 87/164).
Article 14 of the Law 3470/2006 (Government Gazette No 132, Issue A): “National Export Council, tax regulations and other provisions”.
Article 3, paragraph 1c, of the Law 3448/2006 (Government Gazette No 57, Issue A): “For the further use of information coming from the public sector and the settlement of matters falling within the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization”.
European Statistics Code of Practice, adopted by the Statistical Programme Committee on 24 February 2005 and promulgated in the Commission Recommendation of 25 May 2005 on the independence, integrity and accountability of the national and Community statistical Authorities, after its revision, which was adopted on 28 September 2011 by the European Statistical System Committee.
Presidential Decree 226/2000 (Government Gazette No 195, Issue Α): “Organization of the General Secretariat of the National Statistical Service of Greece”.
Articles 4, 12 , 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Law 2392/1996 (Government Gazette No 60, Issue Α): "Access of the General Secretariat of the National Statistical Service of Greece to administrative sources and administrative files, Statistical Confidentiality Committee, settlement of matters concerning the conduct of censuses and statistical works, as well as of matters of the General Secretariat of the National Statistical Service of Greece".
Eurostat legislation:
EU legislation:
The compilation and publication of the indices are based on the Regulation (EU) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, as well as Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 2019/2152. Furthermore, the indices are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The Turnover Indices for divisions of Services Sections are transmitted to Eurostat according to Regulation (EU) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, as well as Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The issues concerning the observance of statistical confidentiality by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) are arranged by articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Law 3832/2010 as in force, by Articles 8, 10 and 11(2) of the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System and by Articles 10 and 15 of the Regulation on the Operation and Administration of ELSTAT.
Furthermore, ELSTAT disseminates the statistics in compliance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice and in particular with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
ELSTAT protects and does not disseminate data that it has obtained or it has access to, which enable the direct or indirect identification of the statistical units that have provided them by the disclosure of individual information directly received for statistical purposes or indirectly supplied from administrative or other sources. ELSTAT takes all appropriate preventive measures so as to render impossible the identification of individual statistical units by technical or other means that might reasonably be used by a third party. Statistical data that could potentially enable the identification of the statistical unit are disseminated by ELSTAT if and only if:
these data have been treated, as it is specifically set out in the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System (ELSS), in such a way that their dissemination does not prejudice statistical confidentiality or
the statistical unit has given its consent, without any reservations, for the disclosure of data.
The confidential data that are transmitted by ELSS agencies to ELSTAT are used exclusively for statistical purposes and the only persons who have the right to have access to these data are the personnel engaged in this task and appointed by an act of the President of ELSTAT.
ELSTAT may grant researchers conducting statistical analyses for scientific purposes access to data that enable the indirect identification of the statistical units concerned. The access is granted provided the following conditions are satisfied:
an appropriate request together with a detailed research proposal in conformity with current scientific standards have been submitted;
the research proposal indicates in sufficient detail the set of data to be accessed, the methods of analyzing them, and the time needed for the research;
a contract specifying the conditions for access, the obligations of the researchers, the measures for respecting the confidentiality of statistical data and the sanctions in case of breach of these obligations has been signed by the individual researcher, by his/her institution, or by the organization commissioning the research, as the case may be, and by ELSTAT.
Issues referring to the observance of statistical confidentiality are examined by the Statistical Confidentiality Committee (SCC) operating in ELSTAT. The responsibilities of this Committee are to recommend on:
the level of detail at which statistical data can be disseminated, so as the identification, either directly or indirectly, of the surveyed statistical unit is not possible;
the anonymization criteria for the microdata provided to users;
the granting to researchers access to confidential data for scientific purposes.
The staff of ELSTAT, under any employment status, as well as the temporary survey researchers who are employed for the collection of statistical data in statistical surveys conducted by ELSTAT, who acquire access by any means to confidential data, are bound by the principle of confidentiality and must use these data exclusively for the statistical purposes of ELSTAT. After the termination of their term of office, they are not allowed to use these data for any purpose. Violation of data confidentiality and/or statistical confidentiality by any civil servant or employee of ELSTAT constitutes the disciplinary offence of violation of duty and may be punished with the penalty of final dismissal.
ELSTAT, by its decision, may impose a penalty amounting from ten thousand (10,000) up to two hundred thousand (200,000) euro to anyone who violates the confidentiality of data and/or statistical confidentiality. The penalty is always imposed after the hearing of the defense of the person liable for the breach, depending on the gravity and the repercussions of the violation. Any relapse constitutes an aggravating factor for the assessment of the administrative sanction.
Confidentiality: If tha data are actually confidential according to article 20 of the Law (EC) No 223/2009 arranged by the European Parliament and by the qualified Council on the 11th of March on 2009 (data which allow the exact determination of some statistical units, either directly or indirectly), they should be noted as confidential and consequently they will not be published by Eurostat.
Embargo: In order to enable Eurostat to produce press releases, sometimes data are sent in advance to Eurostat. Those data, if considered under embargo, will not be published by Eurostat until the embargo expires. This case is currently addressed by using confidentiality flags.
8.1. Release calendar
A release calendar is available on the website with the precise release dates of statistics for the following year.
8.2. Release calendar access
The calendar is distributed to the press and is available to all interested parties free of charge.
This calendar is also posted on the website of the ELSTAT (www.statistics.gr) under the link: “Announcements Calendar”
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, ELSTAT disseminates national statistics on ELSTAT’s website respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equally.
In this context, data are released simultaneously to all interested parties and users through an Announcement on the specific indices, which are posted on the website of ELSTAT, at the following links, according to the Release calendar:
The press releases are also available by e-mail to all interested parties.
In addition, data are transmitted to Eurostat on a predefined date, concomitantly with their national publication.
Neither users nor the government have access to the data prior to their publication.
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are produced and disseminated monthly
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are released on a quarterly basis in a standardized Announcement named: “Monthly Turnover Indices in the Services Sector (of the quarterly period)”, within specified deadlines, t+60 days after the end of the data reference quarter (t) at 12:00. This Announcement presents the recently calculated indices available in both Greek and English language. The Announcement can be sent, mainly by e-mail, to the press and any other users or parties interested in the indices free of charge. It is also available on the website of ELSTAT.
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are announced as follows:
indices with base year 2021=100.0
percentage changes (rates) of month compared with the previous month and
percentage changes (rates) of month compared with the same month of previous year.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data are released in publications of ELSTAT such as specific publications: “The Greek Economy”and "Greece in figures".
Access to microdata is only permitted under strict conditions and always with due process.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Users can be given data or further analysis, usually by e-mail after submitting a request, describing the requested data to the Section of Statistical Dissemination (the Trade and Services Indices Section will be informed), at the following e-mail addresses: data.dissem@statistics.gr, data.supply@statistics.gr και data.source@statistics.gr.
Users can also submit their requests electronically, through the portal.
The methodology for the compilation of the index is laid down by ELSTAT, taking into account international practices and, in particular, Eurostat’s recommendations.
The Methodology of Short-term Business Statistics, contains a comprehensive set of recommendations on the compilation of the STS statistics.
The metadata for the compilation of Turnover Indices for Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are available on the website of ELSTAT. Therefore, the metadata completeness rates amounts to 100%.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
A concise oriented for users quality report is available on the website.
11.1. Quality assurance
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) aims to ensure and further improve the quality of statistics produced and maintain the confidence of users in them. This is achieved through the Quality Policy of ELSTAT which is posted on the website of ELSTAT.
Quality control and validation of data are carried out during the whole process of the compilation of the indices - from the data collection stage to the final compilation of the indices.
The well-trained and experienced staff deals with all the stages of the compilation of the indices, that is: data collection, including communication with the enterprises, initial checks of the data as to their correctness, data entry and final checks, which are conducted after the calculation of the indices. This way, the personnel have a comprehensive and long-standing experience with the enterprises under survey.
Data are validated either before or after data entry by means of logical checks. During data processing, the data are checked in order to identify and correct any measurement or data entry errors. The detection of these errors is done in data of the enterprises, by examining whether these data are within a certain range of values, based on the size of the enterprises, as well as the seasonality of the data. At the same time, data are checked for completeness, accuracy and consistency of the correlating variables.
The indices are calculated by means of specialised software, through computation routines, thus eliminating any errors to the final results. Nevertheless, even during this stage, consistency checks are carried out to the final results, mainly on comparing the percentage changes of the corresponding quarters.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are reliable and sufficiently accurate indices, as:
the concepts, definitions, and methodology applied in compilation of the Turnover Indices follow European and international standards and guidelines,
the accuracy of data used is accomplished by quality controls for their validation and
the indices are compiled since the year 2006 and therefore experience and know-how to deal with enterprises data has been acquired.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The indices meet national needs and the needs of European users. Generally, the indices provide statistical information necessary to improve the competitiveness and performance of the business community.
The main national users of the services turnover indices are the government and other public agencies, the Central Bank of Greece and other Hellenic banks, scientific community (Academic / Researcher, Student), Press and other Media, Commercial Business, National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce etc.
At international level, the Indices are used by Eurostat, International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations (UN), the European Central Bank (ECB), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organization (ILO) etc.
The compiled indices cover the wide range of users’ needs: as concerns domestic market, the indices are used as a tool providing useful information on the activities, competitiveness and productivity of the services sector, thus helping the government in drawing economic policy and entrepreneurs or other agencies in decision making concerning their taking up several initiatives. At European level, there is the need for fully comparable statistics in order to draw the European economic policy.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction survey:
ELSTAT conducts an annual user satisfaction survey. The comments on the media are positive. More information about the latest results of user research, for the annual periods per semester, is available in the Library Information Bulletin, on the website of ELSTAT, "Products and Services".
Conference of statistical data users
According to its annual statistical program, ELSTAT has been conducting a user conference since 2010 on an annual basis, attended by representatives of private and public sector bodies, as well as educational and research institutions.
12.3. Completeness
The compilation of The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections is in full compliance with the relevant European Regulations.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The accuracy of indices is influenced by: a) sampling errors and b) non-sampling errors.
Sampling errors occur due to the fact that for the indices compilation, the whole target population of enterprises is not investigated, but a sample of them is used instead. Non-sampling errors of indices refer mainly to data errors and non-response errors of the sample enterprises. Measurement errors during data collection are identified by quality checks and then they are corrected. Regarding non-response errors, every effort is made so as the units that have not responded to provide the requested data.
13.2. Sampling error
The survey of the indices is sampled surveys and therefore the estimates in every index in Divisions show sampling errors.
The sampling errors, expressed as coefficient of variation (monthly change %) for the September 2025 is shown:
Divisions
%_CV_Ration
49
1.97
50
3.73
52
1.43
53
1.69
55
1.35
56
2.38
58
4.81
59
19.72
62
2.01
63
2.32
68
3.98
69
1.53
70
3.14
71
3.45
73
5.32
74
6.87
77
2.03
78
0.65
79
4.28
80
1.93
81
5.90
82
2.14
No sampling errors are calculated in divisions 51,60 and 61, as the collected data from enterprises is by census.
13.3. Non-sampling error
There are no errors related with inconsistent use of definitions. Some counting errors may occur, such as data provided by the surveyed enterprises. These errors are usually easy to identify, through checks and cross-checks with the data provided by the enterprises during the prvious years and are corrected after telephone or e-mail communication with the accountants.
Non-sampling errors involve coverage errors, measurements errors, non-response errors, processing errors and model errors. More specifically:
Coverage error
No coverage errors are observed in the Business Register of ELSTAT, on the basis of which the survey on the compilation of the indices in services was designed.
Measurement error
Any measurement errors during the data collection process are detected by means of quality checks and are duly corrected.
Non response error
In the case of non response, the surveyed enterprise is contacted by telephone, or is sent a reminder by e-mail, or even the competent staff may pay a visit to the enterprise in order to respond.
The weighted variable used is turnover where the size-weighted response rate 3rd quarter 2024 for each division is as follows:
Turnover Index in Transport Sector, Rrsw%=100.00
Turnover Index in Tourism Sector, Rrsw%=100.00
Turnover Index in Information and Communication Sector, Rrsw%=100.00
Turnover Indices for Specific Activities of the Services Sector, Rrsw%=100.00
Processing error
All tasks engaged to the processing procedure (e.g. weighting, calculations, tabulation etc) are performed by using a special software application, in order to eliminate processing errors.
Model assumption error
No model is used for the compilation of the indices.
14.1. Timeliness
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are published through a press release t+60 days after the end of the reference quarter (t).
14.2. Punctuality
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are published on the pre-announced release dates.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The Regulation (EU) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, as well as Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 and the STS methodological guidelines are applied for the compilation of the Indices. This fact ensures a good comparability with the European and national indices, considering the special conditions that apply to each country which may dictate minor methodological deviations.
Asymmetry for mirror flows statistics – coefficient
There are no mirror flows statistics among EU Member States in the Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The Turnover Indices time series, with base year 2021=100.0 are available since January 2021.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Coherence – sub annual and annual statistics
Regular crosschecksare made on the basis of comparisons with the results of other surveys, such as with the results of the Annual Structural Business Survey (SBS) as soon as they become available and there is a consistency in the trend of the indices. The deviations observed are due to the fact that the quarterly surveys of Turnover Indices keep constant the number of the monitored companies of the sample of the base year (2021 = 100.0) in the sample reductions, while the SBS uses a different number of companies each year. In addition, the survey of Turnover Indices is monthly, and results are announced no later than t+60 days after the end of the surveyed quarter (t), while SBS is annual and results are announced no later than 18 months after the end of the reference year, therefore surveyed units have finalized their financial results for the reference year.
Coherence – National Accounts
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are available to the Division of National Accounts for their annual temporary estimations and the compilation of the quarterly National Accounts. Therefore, the rate of change of the index is coherent with the corresponding rate of change of GDP.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The indices are internally coherent. The estimates of the index among all the variables and definitions of the survey have a high internal coherence, as a single database is used and their calculation is done by the same method.
Regarding the staff of ELSTAT that is involved in the compilation of the index, the annual cost, in working hours in 2025, amounts to 6.575,80 hours.
With regard to the surveyed enterprises, the average annual charge in working hours required to provide a response in 2025, is 6.3 minutes per enterprise.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The index is published t+60 days after the end of the reference quarter (t). Moreover, in accordance with the requirements of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1165/98 concerning short-term statistics, the indices are revised every five (5) years, particularly in calendar years ending in 0 or 5 while, in the current revision 2021=100.0 due to the impact of the pandemic, they were revised with base year the year 2021. The purpose of the revision is to adapt the index to recent developments as regards the structure of services sector.
The same revision policy for all kind of revisions is applied to data released nationally and to those transmitted to Eurostat to assure coherence.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The monthly indices since January 2021 are published t+60 days after the end of the reference month t. The data are provisional according to the first announcement. The data are revised firstly and simultaneously with the publication of the next month and secondly and simultaneously with the publication of the third month of the current quarter. After these revisions the data are considered final. The monthly correction is mainly made due to late reporting of some surveyed enterprises. Mean Revision (MR) and Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) are not calculated due to the fact that, for the time being, there are not extended retrospective time series for Divisions, Sections and total HTNXK index, as the available data (for services), which have been calculated since January 2024 for first time and the retrospective monthly data have been rescalled from the quarterly indices with base year 2021=100.0 (according to their monthly values of each quarter).
18.1. Source data
For the compilation of the Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections with base year: 2021=100.0 a representative sample of 1,076 enterprises was selected, that belonging to divisions 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 68, 69, 70.2, 71, 73, 74, 77, 78, 80, 81 and 82 of the economic activities of the statistical classification NACE Rev.2.
The enterprises of the sample were selected based on one-stage stratified random sampling. For each of the 2-digit branches of economic activity the surveyed enterprises were further stratified into size classes (stratums) based on their annual turnover for the year 2021, as follows:
In divisions: 51,60 and 61 the data collection from enterprises is by census.
Division
Class (stratum)
Low level
Up level
Division
Class (stratum)
Low level
Up level
49
1
300.000
546.000
70
1
100.000
195.000
49
2
546.000,01
959.000
70
2
195.000,01
370.000
49
3
959.000,01
1.589.000
70
3
370.000,01
690.000
49
4
1.589.000,01
2.673.000
70
4
690.000,01
1.100.000
49
5
2.673.000,01
4.362.000
70
5
1.100.000,01
2.000.000
49
6
4.362.000,01
7.730.000
70
6
2.000.000,01
5.000.000
49
7
7.730.000,01 +
70
7
5.000.000,01+
50
1
300.000
552.000
71
1
75.000
103.500
50
2
552.000,01
946.000
71
2
103.500,01
160.000
50
3
946.000,01
1.540.000
71
3
160.000,01
275.000
50
4
1.540.000,01
2.436.000
71
4
275.000,01
600.000
50
5
2.436.000,01
4.212.000
71
5
600.000,01
1.690.000
50
6
4.212.000,01
7.686.000
71
6
1.690.000,01
3.420.000
50
7
7.686.000,01 +
71
7
3.420.000,01+
52
1
600.000
1.284.000
73
1
300.000
750.000
52
2
1.284.000,01
2.372.000
73
2
750.000,01
1.425.000
52
3
2.372.000,01
4.150.000
73
3
1.425.000,01
2.770.000
52
4
4.150.000,01
6.828.000
73
4
2.770.000,01
4.350.000
52
5
6.828.000,01
11.032.000
73
5
4.350.000,01
7.275.000
52
6
11.032.000,01
17.816.000
73
6
7.275.000,01
20.325.000
52
7
17.816.000,01 +
73
7
20.325.000,01+
55
1
220.000
430.000
74
1
50.000
85.350
55
2
430.000,01
855.000
74
2
85.350,01
155.800
55
3
855.000,01
1.280.000
74
3
155.800,01
300.000
55
4
1.280.000,01
2.000.000
74
4
300.000,01
472.000
55
5
2.000.000,01
3.500.000
74
5
472.000,01
843.000
55
6
3.500.000,01
8.500.000
74
6
843.000,01
1.565.000
55
7
8.500.000,01 +
74
7
1.565.000,01+
56
1
80.000
185.000
77
1
100.000
170.000
56
2
185.000,01
290.000
77
2
170.000,01
283.000
56
3
290.000,01
390.000
77
3
283.000,01
482.000
56
4
390.000,01
600.000
77
4
482.000,01
800.000
56
5
600.000,01
1.115.000
77
5
800.000,01
1.560.000
56
6
1.115.000,01
2.750.000
77
6
1.560.000,01
3.000.000
56
7
2.750.000,01 +
77
7
3.000.000,01+
58
1
300.000
570.000
78
1
300.000
420.000
58
2
570.000,01
1.190.000
78
2
420.000,01
700.000
58
3
1.190.000,01
1.700.000
78
3
700.000,01
1.250.000
58
4
1.700.000,01
2.400.000
78
4
1.250.000,01
2.350.000
58
5
2.400.000,01
4.350.000
78
5
2.350.000,01
4.100.000
58
6
4.350.000,01
7.580.000
78
6
4.100.000,01
8.000.000
58
7
7.580.000,01 +
78
7
8.000.000,01+
59
1
125.000
270.000
79
1
380.000
570.000
59
2
270.000,01
500.000
79
2
570.000,01
875.000
59
3
500.000,01
1.000.000
79
3
875.000,01
1.500.000
59
4
1.000.000,01
1.600.000
79
4
1.500.000,01
2.200.000
59
5
1.600.000,01
2.620.000
79
5
2.200.000,01
2.930.000
59
6
2.620.000,01
3.430.000
79
6
2.930.000,01
4.795.000
59
7
3.430.000,01 +
79
7
4.795.000,01+
62
1
300.000
540.000
80
1
400.000
600.000
62
2
540.000,01
905.000
80
2
600.000,01
800.000
62
3
905.000,01
1.380.000
80
3
800.000,01
1.150.000
62
4
1.380.000,01
2.240.000
80
4
1.150.000,01
1.500.000
62
5
2.240.000,01
4.440.000
80
5
1.500.000,01
2.400.000
62
6
4.440.000,01
10.290.000
80
6
2.400.000,01
3.800.000
62
7
10.290.000,01+
80
7
3.800.000,01+
63
1
100.000
188.000
81
1
100.000
195.000
63
2
188.000,01
320.000
81
2
195.000,01
385.000
63
3
320.000,01
540.000
81
3
385.000,01
800.000
63
4
540.000,01
1.100.000
81
4
800.000,01
1.455.000
63
5
1.100.000,01
2.735.000
81
5
1.455.000,01
2.615.000
63
6
2.735.000,01
5.020.000
81
6
2.615.000,01
4.550.000
63
7
5.020.000,01+
81
7
4.550.000,01+
68
1
100.000
285.000
82
1
300.000
752.000
68
2
285.000,01
650.000
82
2
752.000,01
1.620.000
68
3
650.000,01
975.000
82
3
1.620.000,01
2.890.000
68
4
975.000,01
1.500.000
82
4
2.890.000,01
4.870.000
68
5
1.500.000,01
3.100.000
82
5
4.870.000,01
8.000.000
68
6
3.100.000,01
7.500.000
82
6
8.000.000,01
12.090.000
68
7
7.500.000,01+
82
7
12.090.000,01+
69
1
75.000
120.000
53
1
200.000
297.000
69
2
120.000,01
230.000
53
2
297.000,01
447.000
69
3
230.000,01
365.000
53
3
447.000,01
667.000
69
4
365.000,01
685.000
53
4
667.000,01
1.146.000
69
5
685.000,01
1.295.000
53
5
1.146.000,01
2.429.000
69
6
1.295.000,01
2.470.000
53
6
2.429.000,01
5.526.000
69
7
2.470.000,01+
53
7
5.526.000,01 +
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected on a monthly basis.
18.3. Data collection
Data are collected through a specially designed questionnaire. The questionnaires are sent by e-mail and they are collected by e-mail, too.
In case of non-response, the surveyed enterprise is contacted by telephone or is sent a reminder by e-mail. Also, the administrative data of the enterprises are collected.
18.4. Data validation
At the national level, data processing includes checking data collected by businesses for the purpose of error detection and correction. Given the difficulty of identifying all the errors, the aim is to identify at least those with significant effect on the results and to achieve a large improvement by correcting them. Logical checks are performed to detect any abnormal values and to investigate further whether they are incorrect or outliers.
While data processing, along with completeness, it is checked whether the relevant changes (annual or monthly) are reasonably consistent. In more detail, the data are compared with those of the preceding months and when large deviations (outside a predetermined range) are detected, they are investigated. The existence of administrative data facilitates the investigation and crosscheck procedures.
Eurostat also conducts validation checks on the national indicators transmitted by the Member States and contacts the reference country, where necessary, to verify the correctness of the extreme values.
18.5. Data compilation
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are compiled based on the chain-linking method. Firstly, the moving-base index was calculated, by comparing the “estimated” turnover value Ym of the data of the sample enterprises of the current month with the corresponding value Ym-1 of the previous month. The fixed-base index at each two-digit level of economic activity of the current month is calculated by multiplying the moving-base index by the fixed-base index of the previous month.
The estimate of turnover value in current month is based on a reduction in all relevant data from the enterprises sample. This is achieved by multiplying the monthly turnover value of each enterprise, with a suitable reduction factor and then summing up of the products. This factor, for each stratum h (intersection of activity and class of enterprises turnover size) is defined as the quotient of the total number of Nh enterprises, by the number of enterprises of the nh sample, which corresponded.
The reduction factor ah for each enterprise in stratum (class) h is given by the equation:
where
Nh is the total number of enterprises in stratum h
nh is the number of enterprises that responded in stratum h of the sample.
The estimate Ym of the turnover value Ym the current month m, in any two-digit division of economic activity, is given by the equation:
where Ymhi is the turnover value for the current month m of the ith enterprise
in stratum h=1.2.3,…l, and l, the number of stratums in each two-digit level of economic activity.
The fixed-base index for each two-digit level of economic activity for the current month m, is thus obtained by multiplying the moving-base index by the fixed-base index of the previous month.
The above is a consequence of the types:
Where
Imm-1 is the moving-base index for the current month m, in relation to the previous month m-1,
Iym is the fixed-base index for the current month m,
Iym-1 is the fixed-base index for the previous month m -1, and
Ym, Ym-1 are the corresponding turnover estimates for the current and previous months.
The time series of the indices was revised with base year 2021=100.0 by multiplying the indices calculated with base year 2015=100.0 by the following weighting coefficient: 100/I21/I15, where: I21/I15 ,is the average of the indices of the year 2021 with base year 2015=100.0.
Imputation – rate
Usually, imputed values are not used to substitute turnover values in the enterprises sample. However, in few cases, imputed prices are used, the percentage of which does not exceed 0.01%. The procedure for handling missing values is to estimate them (imputed values), based on the turnover of the enterprises in previous years, considering the evolution of the rate of changes of the value of turnover in the economic activity sector, the class of size of the enterprise and the trend of the administrative data of the enterprise.
18.6. Adjustment
The indices are adjusted to the working days of the months.
The indices are reduced to a typical month by multiplying the estimated turnover values by a specific correction factor according to the number of working days of each month. The typical month refers to the actual number of working days.
The correction factor ct is obtained by dividing the average monthly number of working days of the current year by the number of working days of the surveyed month as follows:
where:
: the average monthly number of working days, of the current year,
: the number of working days in month t.
These weighting coefficient are reviewed annually.
Seasonal adjustment
The indices are seasonally adjusted
No further comment.
Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections refer to the whole country and they cover the divisions 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 68, 69, 70.2, 71, 73, 74, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 και 82 of economic activity, according to NACE Rev.2 (Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community).
For the compilation of the indices, turnover data are collected monthly from a sample of companies with economic activity in the above sectors. The indices are compiled monthly for each division, with working-day adjustment (actual number of working days).
29 May 2026
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are important business indicators, which show the evolution of the services market.
The objective of these indices is to measure in value terms the activity of the surveyed sectors. Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the enterprise during the reference period (quarter), which correspond to the sales of goods or services supplied to third parties and excludes VAT.
The definitions used, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1503/2006 defining variables and frequency of data compilation are as follows:
Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, which correspond to sales of goods or services supplied to third parties. It also includes any other charges (transport, packaging, etc.) charged to the customer, even if these expenses are listed separately in the invoice.
Turnover excludes VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover, as well as all duties and taxes on the services invoiced by the enterprise. Reductions in prices, rebates and discounts, as well as the value of returned packaging must be deducted. Price reductions, rebates and bonuses conceded later to clients, for example at the end of the year, are not taken into account. Income classified as other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income in company accounts is excluded from turnover.
According to this definition, the items generally included are:
sales of manufactured products;
sales of products manufactured by subcontractors;
sales of goods purchased for resale in the same condition as received;
invoiced services provided;
sales of by-products;
invoiced charges for packaging and transport;
hours worked invoiced to third parties for labour-only subcontracting;
invoiced mounting, installation and repairs;
invoiced instalments (stage payments);
invoiced development of software and software licenses;
sales of supplied electric power, gas, heat, steam and water;
sales of waste and scrap materials;
subsidies on products.
Subject to the treatment of the income classified as ‘other operating income, financial income and extraordinary income’ in company accounts, the items generally excluded are:
VAT and other similar deductible taxes directly linked to turnover, as well as all duties and taxes on the goods or services invoiced by the unit;
commissions;
leases and rentals;
leases for own production units and machines if used by third parties;
leases of company-owned buildings;
receipts for license fees;
receipts from staff facilities (for example from a factory canteen);
the supply of products and services within the observation unit;
sales of own land and fixed assets;
sales or leases of own properties;
sales of shares;
interest receipts and dividends;
other extraordinary income.
The above items may be included if they generate turnover in the principle field of operation of the observation unit.
The research unit (observation unit) used for the collection of the survey data is the enterprise per Kind of Activity Unit (KAU).
Concerning the survey of The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections for the abovementioned divisions of the NACE Rev.2, the population of enterprises is the units with annual turnover in 2015 equal or higher than:
50,000 euro for division 74,
75,000 euro for divisions 69 & 71,
80,000 euro for division 56,
100,000 euro for divisions 63, 68, 70.2, 77, 81 & 81.2,
125,000 euro for division 59,
200,000 euro for division 53,
220,000 euro for division 55,
300,000 euro for divisions 49, 50, 58, 62, 73, 78 & 82,
380,000 euro for division 79,
400,000 euro for division 80,
600,000 euro for division 52,
29,500,000 euro for division 53 and
315,000,000 euro for division 61.
The above thresholds are selected so that the total turnover of the enterprises included in the reference population of each division represents about 70% of the total turnover of the division. The sampling unit used is the enterprise per Kind of Activity Unit (KAU). The population for the above-mentioned divisions of the NACE Rev. 2 statistical classification, is 46,284 enterprises in the reference base year 2021, from which a random representative sample of 6,235 enterprises was therefore selected and surveyed.
The turnover indices cover the whole country.
Generally, no activities outside the national territory are covered.
Nevertheless,there is not information to distinguish turnover from any activities produced outside the country and included in the data of the enterprises.
The reference period is the month.
The accuracy of indices is influenced by: a) sampling errors and b) non-sampling errors.
Sampling errors occur due to the fact that for the indices compilation, the whole target population of enterprises is not investigated, but a sample of them is used instead. Non-sampling errors of indices refer mainly to data errors and non-response errors of the sample enterprises. Measurement errors during data collection are identified by quality checks and then they are corrected. Regarding non-response errors, every effort is made so as the units that have not responded to provide the requested data.
Indices, monthly and annual rates of change (%).
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are compiled based on the chain-linking method. Firstly, the moving-base index was calculated, by comparing the “estimated” turnover value Ym of the data of the sample enterprises of the current month with the corresponding value Ym-1 of the previous month. The fixed-base index at each two-digit level of economic activity of the current month is calculated by multiplying the moving-base index by the fixed-base index of the previous month.
The estimate of turnover value in current month is based on a reduction in all relevant data from the enterprises sample. This is achieved by multiplying the monthly turnover value of each enterprise, with a suitable reduction factor and then summing up of the products. This factor, for each stratum h (intersection of activity and class of enterprises turnover size) is defined as the quotient of the total number of Nh enterprises, by the number of enterprises of the nh sample, which corresponded.
The reduction factor ah for each enterprise in stratum (class) h is given by the equation:
where
Nh is the total number of enterprises in stratum h
nh is the number of enterprises that responded in stratum h of the sample.
The estimate Ym of the turnover value Ym the current month m, in any two-digit division of economic activity, is given by the equation:
where Ymhi is the turnover value for the current month m of the ith enterprise
in stratum h=1.2.3,…l, and l, the number of stratums in each two-digit level of economic activity.
The fixed-base index for each two-digit level of economic activity for the current month m, is thus obtained by multiplying the moving-base index by the fixed-base index of the previous month.
The above is a consequence of the types:
Where
Imm-1 is the moving-base index for the current month m, in relation to the previous month m-1,
Iym is the fixed-base index for the current month m,
Iym-1 is the fixed-base index for the previous month m -1, and
Ym, Ym-1 are the corresponding turnover estimates for the current and previous months.
The time series of the indices was revised with base year 2021=100.0 by multiplying the indices calculated with base year 2015=100.0 by the following weighting coefficient: 100/I21/I15, where: I21/I15 ,is the average of the indices of the year 2021 with base year 2015=100.0.
Imputation – rate
Usually, imputed values are not used to substitute turnover values in the enterprises sample. However, in few cases, imputed prices are used, the percentage of which does not exceed 0.01%. The procedure for handling missing values is to estimate them (imputed values), based on the turnover of the enterprises in previous years, considering the evolution of the rate of changes of the value of turnover in the economic activity sector, the class of size of the enterprise and the trend of the administrative data of the enterprise.
For the compilation of the Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections with base year: 2021=100.0 a representative sample of 1,076 enterprises was selected, that belonging to divisions 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 68, 69, 70.2, 71, 73, 74, 77, 78, 80, 81 and 82 of the economic activities of the statistical classification NACE Rev.2.
The enterprises of the sample were selected based on one-stage stratified random sampling. For each of the 2-digit branches of economic activity the surveyed enterprises were further stratified into size classes (stratums) based on their annual turnover for the year 2021, as follows:
In divisions: 51,60 and 61 the data collection from enterprises is by census.
Division
Class (stratum)
Low level
Up level
Division
Class (stratum)
Low level
Up level
49
1
300.000
546.000
70
1
100.000
195.000
49
2
546.000,01
959.000
70
2
195.000,01
370.000
49
3
959.000,01
1.589.000
70
3
370.000,01
690.000
49
4
1.589.000,01
2.673.000
70
4
690.000,01
1.100.000
49
5
2.673.000,01
4.362.000
70
5
1.100.000,01
2.000.000
49
6
4.362.000,01
7.730.000
70
6
2.000.000,01
5.000.000
49
7
7.730.000,01 +
70
7
5.000.000,01+
50
1
300.000
552.000
71
1
75.000
103.500
50
2
552.000,01
946.000
71
2
103.500,01
160.000
50
3
946.000,01
1.540.000
71
3
160.000,01
275.000
50
4
1.540.000,01
2.436.000
71
4
275.000,01
600.000
50
5
2.436.000,01
4.212.000
71
5
600.000,01
1.690.000
50
6
4.212.000,01
7.686.000
71
6
1.690.000,01
3.420.000
50
7
7.686.000,01 +
71
7
3.420.000,01+
52
1
600.000
1.284.000
73
1
300.000
750.000
52
2
1.284.000,01
2.372.000
73
2
750.000,01
1.425.000
52
3
2.372.000,01
4.150.000
73
3
1.425.000,01
2.770.000
52
4
4.150.000,01
6.828.000
73
4
2.770.000,01
4.350.000
52
5
6.828.000,01
11.032.000
73
5
4.350.000,01
7.275.000
52
6
11.032.000,01
17.816.000
73
6
7.275.000,01
20.325.000
52
7
17.816.000,01 +
73
7
20.325.000,01+
55
1
220.000
430.000
74
1
50.000
85.350
55
2
430.000,01
855.000
74
2
85.350,01
155.800
55
3
855.000,01
1.280.000
74
3
155.800,01
300.000
55
4
1.280.000,01
2.000.000
74
4
300.000,01
472.000
55
5
2.000.000,01
3.500.000
74
5
472.000,01
843.000
55
6
3.500.000,01
8.500.000
74
6
843.000,01
1.565.000
55
7
8.500.000,01 +
74
7
1.565.000,01+
56
1
80.000
185.000
77
1
100.000
170.000
56
2
185.000,01
290.000
77
2
170.000,01
283.000
56
3
290.000,01
390.000
77
3
283.000,01
482.000
56
4
390.000,01
600.000
77
4
482.000,01
800.000
56
5
600.000,01
1.115.000
77
5
800.000,01
1.560.000
56
6
1.115.000,01
2.750.000
77
6
1.560.000,01
3.000.000
56
7
2.750.000,01 +
77
7
3.000.000,01+
58
1
300.000
570.000
78
1
300.000
420.000
58
2
570.000,01
1.190.000
78
2
420.000,01
700.000
58
3
1.190.000,01
1.700.000
78
3
700.000,01
1.250.000
58
4
1.700.000,01
2.400.000
78
4
1.250.000,01
2.350.000
58
5
2.400.000,01
4.350.000
78
5
2.350.000,01
4.100.000
58
6
4.350.000,01
7.580.000
78
6
4.100.000,01
8.000.000
58
7
7.580.000,01 +
78
7
8.000.000,01+
59
1
125.000
270.000
79
1
380.000
570.000
59
2
270.000,01
500.000
79
2
570.000,01
875.000
59
3
500.000,01
1.000.000
79
3
875.000,01
1.500.000
59
4
1.000.000,01
1.600.000
79
4
1.500.000,01
2.200.000
59
5
1.600.000,01
2.620.000
79
5
2.200.000,01
2.930.000
59
6
2.620.000,01
3.430.000
79
6
2.930.000,01
4.795.000
59
7
3.430.000,01 +
79
7
4.795.000,01+
62
1
300.000
540.000
80
1
400.000
600.000
62
2
540.000,01
905.000
80
2
600.000,01
800.000
62
3
905.000,01
1.380.000
80
3
800.000,01
1.150.000
62
4
1.380.000,01
2.240.000
80
4
1.150.000,01
1.500.000
62
5
2.240.000,01
4.440.000
80
5
1.500.000,01
2.400.000
62
6
4.440.000,01
10.290.000
80
6
2.400.000,01
3.800.000
62
7
10.290.000,01+
80
7
3.800.000,01+
63
1
100.000
188.000
81
1
100.000
195.000
63
2
188.000,01
320.000
81
2
195.000,01
385.000
63
3
320.000,01
540.000
81
3
385.000,01
800.000
63
4
540.000,01
1.100.000
81
4
800.000,01
1.455.000
63
5
1.100.000,01
2.735.000
81
5
1.455.000,01
2.615.000
63
6
2.735.000,01
5.020.000
81
6
2.615.000,01
4.550.000
63
7
5.020.000,01+
81
7
4.550.000,01+
68
1
100.000
285.000
82
1
300.000
752.000
68
2
285.000,01
650.000
82
2
752.000,01
1.620.000
68
3
650.000,01
975.000
82
3
1.620.000,01
2.890.000
68
4
975.000,01
1.500.000
82
4
2.890.000,01
4.870.000
68
5
1.500.000,01
3.100.000
82
5
4.870.000,01
8.000.000
68
6
3.100.000,01
7.500.000
82
6
8.000.000,01
12.090.000
68
7
7.500.000,01+
82
7
12.090.000,01+
69
1
75.000
120.000
53
1
200.000
297.000
69
2
120.000,01
230.000
53
2
297.000,01
447.000
69
3
230.000,01
365.000
53
3
447.000,01
667.000
69
4
365.000,01
685.000
53
4
667.000,01
1.146.000
69
5
685.000,01
1.295.000
53
5
1.146.000,01
2.429.000
69
6
1.295.000,01
2.470.000
53
6
2.429.000,01
5.526.000
69
7
2.470.000,01+
53
7
5.526.000,01 +
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are produced and disseminated monthly
The Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections are published through a press release t+60 days after the end of the reference quarter (t).
The Regulation (EU) No 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, as well as Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/1197 and the STS methodological guidelines are applied for the compilation of the Indices. This fact ensures a good comparability with the European and national indices, considering the special conditions that apply to each country which may dictate minor methodological deviations.
Asymmetry for mirror flows statistics – coefficient
There are no mirror flows statistics among EU Member States in the Turnover and Production Indices in Services Sections.
The Turnover Indices time series, with base year 2021=100.0 are available since January 2021.
: the average monthly number of working days, of the current year,
: the number of working days in month t.
