06.09.2024
There is an enormous rise of the sharing economy in Greece, rapid growth in the short-term rental market, and consequent changes it brings to local communities based on a Grant Thornton recent study. For more insights about the landscape of Greek tourism, stay tuned.
The sharing economy in Greece, particularly the short-term rental market (like Airbnb) based on a recent Grant Thornton study, is growing at unprecedented rates, significantly outpacing traditional industries like hotels. In recent years, short-term rentals have almost caught up with hotels in terms of available beds nationwide, even exceeding them in some regions like Athens.
In 2019, hotels in Greece offered around 856,000 beds, while short-term rentals had approximately 428,000. Fast forward to 2023, and hotel beds increased slightly to 886,000, while short-term rental accommodations soared to 858,000 beds – a 100% growth for the sharing economy compared to a mere 3.5% rise in the hotel sector.
Athens has seen particularly stark changes. In 2019, hotels provided 30,200 beds in the capital, whereas short-term rentals had 29,200. By 2023, hotel beds increased to 35,000, but short-term rentals more than doubled to 63,200. The trend is similar across the broader Attica region, with short-term rental beds surpassing 114,000 by the end of 2023, compared to 68,000 for hotels. The average annual growth rate for hotel beds is only 0.9%, while short-term rentals have grown by an impressive 19% per year.
The rapid rise of the sharing economy raises concerns about its impact on local communities and the broader tourism industry. The president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Alexandros Vassilikos, highlighted that while the hotel sector isn't against short-term rentals, there is a need for regulation. Greece remains one of the few Western countries without restrictions on the short-term rental market.
Vassilikos emphasized the importance of implementing spatial and temporal limits, as well as standardized regulations, to ensure that short-term rentals operate on a level playing field with other forms of accommodation.
"The goal isn't merely quantitative growth in tourism," he stated, stressing the need for investments in infrastructure that improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Grant Thornton's study on short-term rentals further highlights the economic and social impacts of this growing sector. In 2019, the total number of overnight stays in short-term rentals was 38.5 million, increasing to 104.7 million in 2023 – a staggering 28% average annual growth.
This explosive growth has contributed to rising rental prices across Greece, particularly in Athens. Short-term rentals can command prices that are 200% to 900% higher than long-term leases. For example, in areas like Kallithea, the average monthly rent per square meter for short-term rentals is €32.4, compared to €11.1 for long-term rentals.
As the sharing economy continues to grow in Greece, it is essential to strike a balance between economic benefits and the well-being of local communities.
Regulations that address safety, taxation, and environmental impact can help ensure that the sharing economy develops in a sustainable way that benefits both residents and tourists. The challenge lies in finding that balance to support long-term growth without sacrificing quality of life.
24.06.2026
Greece remains one of Europe's most rewarding places to own a property and let it out, and the latest short-term rental rules do little to change that, as the new limits are targeted. More specifically, they focus on the busiest central districts of Athens and Thessaloniki, while the islands, the coast, and the wider market stay open.
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Selling a Greek property while you live in another country can feel like a tangle of paperwork in a language you do not read. The part that surprises most owners is how little of it actually requires your physical presence. You can sell a house in Greece from abroad without travelling at all. The sale runs through a power of attorney, with a legal representative acting for you on the ground. With your documents in order and a team handling the legal side, the whole process can be completed from your home country.
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Selling property in Greece means meeting a clear set of legal requirements: the right documents, a notarial deed, settled taxes, and clean title. For owners living abroad, the difficulty is rarely the rules themselves. It is coordinating several Greek authorities from another country. Here is what the process actually involves, and where having a legal team on the ground changes things.
21.05.2026
I bought a home in Greece (or I'm fantasizing about buying one), and I want to rent it out. What does it take to rent out a home in Greece? What taxes will I pay, and what income can I expect? Can I hire someone to assist me in renting out my home in Greece? In this comprehensive guide, we share everything you need to know about renting out a home in Greece, including legal requirements, market insights, and practical tips.
21.05.2026
Buying a home in Greece often starts with one very simple question: what does my budget actually get me?
It is a fair question, because property prices in Greece can vary a lot depending on location, views, accessibility, construction quality, and rental potential. A budget that may secure a sea-view apartment in one region could open the door to a private villa with land in another. In more established destinations, the same amount may buy less space, but stronger location value. In this guide, we look at both existing homes and off-plan projects currently under construction. This reflects how many international buyers search in Greece today: comparing ready-to-use properties with new-build opportunities that may still be in development. In some cases, buying off-plan can offer more flexibility, newer specifications and staged payments, while existing homes may appeal to buyers who want to use or rent the property sooner.
For international buyers, understanding these differences is an important first step. Whether you are looking for a holiday home, a future relocation base, or a long-term investment, knowing what €250K, €400K and €600K can realistically offer helps you search with more clarity.
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A full-service Greek real estate company handles the property search, the legal work, and the support after purchase in one place, so international buyers don't have to hire and coordinate separate agents, lawyers, and administrators. For anyone buying from abroad, that removes the hardest part of the process: navigating Greek property law in a language and a system they don't know. This guide explains what a full-service company does, why it matters for international buyers, and how it works in practice at Elxis.
07.05.2026
Greece has become one of the most appealing places in the world to spend retirement. The climate is mild, the cost of living is reasonable, the healthcare is good, and the tax treatment of foreign pensions is among the most generous in Europe. This guide walks through the practical side of retiring here: how to get residency, how the tax system works for pensioners, how to arrange healthcare, and where people choose to live.
05.05.2026
You can sell a property in Greece yourself. For most owners, though, an agent is the safer and far less stressful route. That is even more true if you live abroad. Here is the honest case for using one, and what selling alone really asks of you.
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