Plan of Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals in Greece: Extension of the Ban on Airbnb in Central Athens and Stricter Controls in Other Popular Destinations

The Greek authorities have announced the introduction of new strict rules for the short-term rental market, which will affect both property owners and tourists. The main measures include the extension of the ban on new Airbnb listings in central Athens until the end of 2026 and the strengthening of controls in popular tourist destinations — from Santorini and Paros to Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.

Why are restrictions being introduced?

The rapid growth of short-term rentals in recent years has led to serious problems in the housing market. In the historic center of Athens, as well as on the islands and in resort regions, residents are increasingly facing a shortage of affordable apartments. As a result, many neighborhoods have been “taken over” by tourists, and housing prices for locals have risen sharply.

The new measures aim to balance the interests of both sides: on the one hand, to support the tourism sector, which is crucial for the country’s economy, and on the other, to protect the interests of local residents by ensuring access to affordable housing.

Key requirements for landlords

Starting October 1, 2025, all short-term rental properties must comply with new safety and quality standards. Key conditions include:

• proper ventilation, air conditioning, and natural lighting;
• mandatory liability insurance;
• installation of fire safety equipment and a first aid kit;
• certified electrical safety and pest control inspections.

In addition, landlords will have to provide emergency contact details.

System of fines and inspections

The Ministry of Tourism and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) will oversee compliance with the rules. Inspections will be carried out unexpectedly, with mandatory submission of documents 10 days before the inspection.

Penalties for violations will be severe:

• first violation — €5,000;
• repeated within a year — doubled fine;
• subsequent violations — fine four times higher than the initial one.

This tightening is aimed at disciplining landlords and making them take the new requirements as seriously as possible.

Athens under special attention

The center of the Greek capital is one of the main hotspots of the problem. In districts such as Plaka, Koukaki, Kolonaki, Syntagma, and others, the number of short-term rental apartments has reached a critical level. The extension of the ban on new listings until the end of 2026 is expected to slow down this process and ease the housing situation for residents.

Other tourist regions

The authorities are considering the possibility of extending similar restrictions to Thessaloniki, Santorini, Paros, Chania, and Halkidiki. These regions host hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, but residents face an acute shortage of affordable housing.