In the third quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted gross domestic product grew by 0.4% within the euro area and by 0.5% across the European Union compared with the preceding quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. During the second quarter of 2026, GDP had expanded by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU. Eurostat noted that these preliminary flash estimates rely on data sources that remain incomplete and are subject to further revisions.
When compared against the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP advanced by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.5% across the EU during the third quarter of 2026. This follows year-on-year growth rates of 1.2% in the euro area and 1.4% in the EU recorded in the prior quarter.
Among individual member states with available data for the third quarter of 2026, Ireland posted the highest quarterly increase at 5.5%, followed by Estonia, Spain, and the Netherlands, which each grew by 0.6%. Conversely, contractions were observed in Lithuania, where GDP declined by 1.0%, and in France, where output edged down by 0.1%. On an annual basis, the year-on-year growth rate was positive for 14 countries and negative for one country.
Specific national figures for the third quarter of 2026 varied across the bloc. Belgium recorded quarterly growth of 0.3% and a year-on-year rate of 0.7%. Czechia reported a 0.5% quarterly increase and a 1.6% annual rate. Germany expanded by 0.2% on the quarter and 1.2% year-on-year. Estonia posted 0.6% quarterly growth and 2.2% annually. Ireland's 5.5% quarterly expansion brought its annual rate to 3.6%, though the country's flash estimate is categorized as a CSO Frontier Series Output based predominantly on output data, making it experimental and subject to future revisions when expenditure-side results are incorporated.
Spain recorded 0.6% quarterly growth and 2.7% year-on-year expansion. France saw a 0.1% quarterly contraction and a 0.1% annual decline. Italy reported zero growth on the quarter and a 0.8% annual increase. Lithuania's 1.0% quarterly decline contrasted with a 2.3% annual gain. Hungary registered 0.1% quarterly growth and 1.5% year-on-year. The Netherlands expanded by 0.6% on the quarter and 2.1% annually. Austria reported a 0.2% quarterly increase and a 0.6% annual rate. Portugal grew by 0.2% quarterly and 2.4% year-on-year. Finland posted 0.5% quarterly growth and an 1.8% annual rate, while Sweden recorded 0.4% quarterly expansion and 2.8% growth compared with the same period of the previous year.
The preliminary flash estimate for the third quarter of 2026 was compiled using data from 19 member states, covering 96% of euro area GDP and 94% of EU GDP. Eurostat stated that figures from earlier quarters were not revised with this release. All data in the report remain subject to update with the GDP t+45 flash estimate scheduled for 13 November 2026, and subsequently through regular estimates planned for 7 December 2026 and 19 January 2027.
