News
24 November 2025
Greece tightens short-term rental rules amid tourism pressure
News
24 November 2025
Adventure tourism
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
Cultural tourism
+41 more
Login / create an account to be able to react
-
19
Greece has introduced a new legal framework for short-term rentals, effective from 1 October 2025. The regulations strengthen quality standards, licensing rules and inspections in response to overtourism and rising pressure on housing in destinations such as Athens and Santorini. The measures aim to protect residents, stabilise local rental markets and support sustainable tourism. Full information: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/10/05/new-framework-for-short-term-rentals-stricter-rules-quality-criteria-and-controls-by-adse/
Protothema.gr
Protothema.gr
Topics
Greece
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
Local Authorities
Media / Journalist Organisations
National authorities
Regional Authorities
-
Specific types of tourism
-
-
Adventure tourism
-
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
-
Cultural tourism
-
Ecotourism
-
Education tourism
-
Festival tourism
-
Gastronomy tourism
-
Health and medical tourism
-
MICE tourism
-
Mountain tourism
-
Religious tourism
-
Rural tourism
-
Sports tourism
-
Urban/city tourism
-
Wellness tourism
-
-
Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
-
-
Changes in tourism demand and opportunities
-
Governance of tourism destinations
-
Well-being of residents
-
-
Business activities
-
-
Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
-
Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
-
Air passenger transport
-
Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
-
Events catering and other food services
-
Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
-
Gardens and nature reserves activities
-
Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
-
Hotel and similar accommodation
-
Mobile beverage services
-
Mobile food services
-
Museums
-
Operation of historical sites
-
Other
-
Other accommodation
-
Other amusement and recreation activities
-
Other food and beverage services
-
Other holiday reservation services
-
Other tourism transportation activities
-
Rail Passenger transport
-
Recreational and sport activities
-
Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
-
Road passenger transport
-
Tour operator activities
-
Travel agency activities
-
Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
-
Share
The new Greek regulations mark a significant development in the country’s tourism management strategy. The legislation introduces strict quality and safety requirements for all short-term rental properties, including mandatory ventilation, natural lighting, air-conditioning, liability insurance, certified technical checks and documented fire-safety equipment. Properties that do not meet minimum residential standards, such as basements or auxiliary spaces, are removed from the rental registry. Authorities now carry out regular inspections and impose substantial fines for non-compliance, creating a more controlled and transparent environment for short-term accommodation.
This policy matters for European tourism because Greece is one of the continent’s most visited destinations, and its new regulatory approach reflects broader concerns around overtourism, liveability and fairness in the accommodation sector. By limiting expansion in overcrowded areas and encouraging more balanced tourism flows, Greece is protecting community wellbeing while maintaining the country’s tourism appeal. The emphasis on quality, compliance and neighbourhood impact aligns with growing expectations for responsible and sustainable travel across Europe.
#Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tourism #Sustainable tourism #Responsible travel #Sustainable destinations #Low-impact tourism
Comments (0)
Related content
See also
Jump into the conversation with the community!
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +64 more
Upcoming Webinar 24 April 2025 "Better together: Improving tourism through a collaborative approach to effective governance"
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +46 more
Key trends in EU tourism in 2024
- Categories
- Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +64 more