Greece has recently implemented a ban on new Airbnb listings in central Athens for a minimum of one year in an effort to combat the housing crisis in the country.
The decision to restrict the Airbnb market in Greece comes as a response to the rising prices and lack of availability of long-term rental properties, making it difficult for many Greek households to find affordable housing options.
The influx of Golden Visa holders who purchased multiple properties for short-term rentals when the qualifying threshold was only 250,000 euros has also contributed to the housing shortage.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the ban on the airbnb listings at the Thessaloniki International Fair, stating that incentives will be provided to property owners to convert their properties into long-term rentals.
Initially, the ban will apply to three central areas in Athens, including Koukaki, Thisio, Petralona, Pagrati, and Neos Kosmos. However, Mitsotakis has not ruled out the possibility of extending the ban to other areas if deemed necessary.
In addition to the ban, property owners who choose to withdraw their properties from short-term rental platforms or convert them into long-term rentals will be exempt from rental tax for three years.
To address the impact of short-term rentals on local communities, an increase in the climate crisis resilience fee will be imposed on Airbnb, hotels, and other accommodation options. The revenue collected from this fee will be used to improve local infrastructure and support communities during the summer months.
Minister of State, Akis Skertsos, highlighted the social issues caused by the short-term rental market, noting the imbalance in supply and demand of real estate and the significant number of closed properties in the country.
Overall, the government aims to strike a balance between regulating short-term rentals and supporting the long-term rental market to address the housing crisis in Greece.
