Short-Term Rentals: New Rules and Strict Enforcement
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced on Thursday that, starting October 1, all short-term rental properties not classified as primary-use residences will be removed from Greece’s Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE) platform without exception.
“The law applies equally to everyone,” Kefalogianni emphasized during a press conference in Athens, where she presented the new framework.
Properties that do not comply with the requirements of Law 5170/2025 will be deleted from AADE’s official registry and automatically delisted from platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO.
Inspections will begin immediately, carried out both randomly and in response to complaints, by joint teams from the Tourism Ministry and AADE. Owners found in violation will face a €5,000 fine, with penalties doubling or quadrupling for repeat offenses.
Kefalogianni stressed that the new measures aim to ensure fair competition, safeguard housing availability, and maintain quality standards in Greece’s tourism services.
Possible Expansion of Restrictions
The minister also indicated that restrictions on new property registrations (AMAs) may be extended beyond Athens’ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd municipal districts, where they are already in force until 2026.
Industry sources suggest the government is considering applying similar restrictions in other highly visited areas, including Thessaloniki, Santorini, Chania, Paros, and Halkidiki, with final decisions expected by the end of the year.
The government is also exploring incentives for owners to shift properties into long-term rentals and potential time limits on short-term stays, following practices already applied in other European countries such as France.
“Quality tourism means rules, balance, and legality,” Kefalogianni said, underlining that the new framework contributes to sustainable growth by promoting fair hospitality practices while protecting affordable housing for residents and workers.
Recent Circular and Legal Framework
The minister’s comments followed the Tourism Ministry’s recent circular (Protocol No. 19231/19.09.2025), which sets out the detailed specifications that all short-term rental properties must meet.
Although the law was passed in January 2025, giving property owners a 10-month adjustment period, the circular specifying exact compliance requirements was released only on September 19 — just six days before the rules came into effect.
The new measures apply to both properties already registered in AADE’s Short-Term Rental Property Registry (with a Property Registration Number – AMA) and those that will be registered in the future.
