The Greek government has announced a one-year ban on new short-term rental licences in three central Athens districts, effective from January 1, 2025.
The decision aims to tackle the housing shortage, which has been exacerbated by the rise of holiday rental platforms like Airbnb. Greece, like other European tourism hotspots, faces the challenge of balancing a booming tourism industry with the housing needs of its residents.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the ban might be extended beyond its initial one-year period, citing pressure on the local housing market as a key driver. "Short-term rentals are operating almost like hotels, putting a lot of pressure on society," she explained.
In addition to the ban, Greece will raise the daily tax on short-term rentals from €1,5 (R29) to €8 (R156) during the peak tourist season from April to October, and from €0,5 (R10) to €2 (R39) in the winter months.
These tax revenues will help fund initiatives to address the impacts of climate-change-related natural disasters.
Greece anticipates record tourism revenues of €22 billion (R430,5bn) in 2024, surpassing last year's €20,6 billion (R403,1bn).
While the country's pristine beaches and cultural sites continue to draw millions of visitors, the influx has led to concerns about overtourism.
To address this, the government has introduced a €20 (R385) levy for cruise ship visitors to the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos during peak summer months. These measures aim to control visitor numbers while mitigating the strain on local infrastructure.
