Athens extends STR ban

Greece: Athens has extended its ban on short-term rental (STR) permits in its city centre through to 2026.

The restriction, first introduced in January 2025, was implemented in response to a shortage of affordable long-term accommodation for residents. According to sources from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, lifting the ban would likely lead to a spike in long-term rental prices.

The Greek capital has seen rising demand for STRs in recent years, fuelled by an increase in overnight tourist stays from 9.9 million in 2019 to 14.1 million in 2024. STRs accounted for 9.2 per cent of all overnight stays in Greece last year, based on national tourism data.

A May survey conducted by Pulse RC found that 90 per cent of Greeks consider tourism vital to the national economy, but many also believe that the proliferation of STRs is exacerbating the housing crisis by reducing available real estate and driving up rents.

Athens joins a growing number of European cities taking action to balance the benefits of tourism with the need to ensure sustainable housing access for local communities.

Highlights:

• The ban on short-term rental permits in the city centre of Athens has been extended through 2026.
• The ban began to mitigate the effects of a short supply of long-term accommodations. 
•  The rise of overnight stays from 9.9 million in 2019 to 14.1 million in 2024.