Greece May Extend Short-term Rental Ban in Central Athens Through 2026

• 30 July, 25

With rents continuing to soar and households facing mounting pressure, the Greek government is expected to maintain its restrictions on new short-term rental registrations in central Athens until at least the end of 2026.

The ban on issuing new short-term rental registration numbers in the first three municipal districts of Athens took effect in January 2025 and was initially set to expire on December 31 of the same year. However, sources indicate that the Ministry of National Economy and Finance is preparing to extend the measure through 2026. Additional neighborhoods facing housing shortages may also be included.

Under the current rules, for all of 2025, the Short-Term Rental Registry will not accept new listings in the following areas of the City of Athens:

• 1st Municipal District: Plaka, Kolonaki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Omonia, Monastiraki, Exarcheia, Ilisia, Neapoli.
• 2nd Municipal District: Mets, Neos Kosmos, Agios Artemios, Pagrati.
• 3rd Municipal District: Votanikos, Metaxourgeio, Gazi, Petralona, Rouf.

The existing law allows these restrictions to be extended beyond December 31, 2025, through a joint ministerial decision by the Ministers of National Economy and Finance, Development, and Tourism.

Expansion on the table

The legislation also allows for the expansion of restrictions to other parts of Athens or additional areas of the country where the growth of short-term rentals is seen to significantly impact long-term housing availability.

Despite the current measures, short-term rentals continue to grow rapidly. In April 2025, a new record was set, with Airbnb-style listings offering more than 1 million beds (1,007,718)—surpassing the 894,854 beds in hotels operating at the end of 2024, according to data from INSETE and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels.

That same month, the number of active short-term rental properties reached 228,000, marking a year-on-year increase of 16,000 units.

Cre: news.gtp.gr