Rents soar alongside tax evasion

• 20 May, 25

At a time when housing costs have skyrocketed across Greece, official tax data reveal a widespread phenomenon of tax evasion in the rental sector. The discrepancy between the amounts declared in tax returns and the actual prices prevailing in the real estate market is indicative.

According to data drawn from taxpayers’ declarations for the years 2017-2023, the average monthly rental expense for a primary residence in 2023 was 211 euros per taxpayer. Correspondingly, for student housing the average monthly expense was €173. These amounts remain clearly lower than the actual market prices.

If we go back a few years, we find that things were even worse: In 2019 the lowest average rent was recorded, which was €186, while for student housing the average declared monthly income was €150 in 2017.

According to data from Spitogatos.gr for the fourth quarter of 2023, the average asking rent in the center of Athens had reached €10 per square meter per month, with the southern suburbs even reaching €12. An 80 sq.m. apartment in the center of Athens costs approximately €800 per month, while the same property in the southern suburbs can exceed €950.

Cre: ekathimerini