For years, Eastern Attica had the reputation of being a quiet, “forgotten” region - far from the spotlight and glamour of Athens’ northern suburbs. But that image is changing. And it's changing faster than anyone expected. A silent yet impressive transformation is underway, turning areas once overlooked into key players in growth, innovation, and technology.

And if you’re looking for the most striking example of that shift, Spata is the place to watch. This small town - known to most simply as “where the airport is” - is preparing to take on a whole new role: that of becoming the heart of digital Greece.

Microsoft - yes, Microsoft - has already set its sights here and is doing something bigger than anything we've seen before: investing more than €1 billion in Greece, placing Spata at the center of a major tech leap forward.

According to the Environmental Impact Study, three ultra-modern Data Centers are planned, with at least one being built in Spata - all designed to meet the highest international standards for operation and sustainability.

But this isn’t just about technology. This project brings with it a shift in mindset. It’s a real reboot of how the region - and the country - is perceived: a transition from local to global, from traditional to modern, from the expected to the innovative.

A smart move with lasting impact

This project is part of Microsoft’s “GR for Growth” initiative - a long-term commitment to helping accelerate Greece’s digital transformation. The new data centers in Spata are designed to deliver fast, secure cloud services not just to Greek businesses, but to companies and organizations across Europe.

With this infrastructure in place, Greece becomes part of a select group of countries that host Microsoft’s regional Cloud Regions - offering faster, more reliable, and fully GDPR-compliant data storage and processing within the European Union.

Why Spata? Investing in people

Microsoft’s investment in Spata is expected to have a meaningful impact on the local economy. As a large-scale project, it brings with it a broad range of operational needs - from technical and support roles to administrative positions. New jobs are anticipated both during the construction phase and once the data centers are fully operational.

At the same time, Microsoft is already taking steps to prepare the community. In partnership with the Municipality of Spata-Artemida, training programs have been launched for both students and adults in the area. So far, more than 600 students and 200 residents have participated, gaining valuable digital skills and certifications that can open doors in the local job market - and beyond, in the growing tech sector.

This initiative reflects Microsoft’s broader strategy for inclusive economic growth, with a focus on empowering local communities through access to knowledge, skills, and lifelong learning.