The new law on short-term rentals has been approved, with the date for its provisions to come into effect set for October 1, 2025. The new regulations, which concern accommodation standards, environmental classification and the simplification of procedures for setting up tourism businesses, have provoked strong reactions.
What is in the new law?
Accommodation specifications: Stricter criteria are established for short-term rental properties, aiming to enhance the quality of services. Specifically, the following are stipulated:
Properties rented on a short-term basis, as per Article 111 of Law 4446/2016 (Government Gazette A’ 240), must meet the following specifications:
a) They must constitute primary use spaces as defined in paragraph 95 of Article 2 of Law 4067/2012 (Government Gazette A’ 79) and have natural lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning.
b) They must be insured for civil liability against damages or accidents that may occur.
c) They must include a certified declaration from an electrician, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, leakage relays or anti-electrocution relays, and emergency exit signage.
d) They must have a pest control and disinfection certificate, a first-aid kit with essential supplies, and a guide with emergency contact numbers.
Environmental classification: An environmental classification system for accommodation will be introduced to promote sustainable practices.
Simplification of procedures: Procedures for setting up tourism businesses will be simplified.
Stakeholder reactions
The Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, argued that the bill strengthens Greece’s competitiveness on the tourism map.
However, POMIDA expressed strong reservations, arguing that the new provisions will lead to the devaluation of a significant part of the construction potential of short-term rentals, as the provision requires short-term rental accommodation to be zoned as a main residential use.
The key issue is that the change of use must have taken place by 28.7.2011. This means that any change of use – and therefore investment – made after this date will not qualify for a short-term rental. This is exactly what Konstantinos Kiamos pointed out in his intervention on behalf of the Association of Short Term Rental Companies STAMA Greece.
What does this mean for owners and managers of short-term rentals in Greece?
The new regulations are expected to have a significant impact on the way short-term rental accommodation is operated. Owners and managers will need to adapt to the new requirements and ensure that their accommodation meets the new criteria.
Fines will be imposed if they do not.
Next steps
The passing of the bill in the plenary session of Parliament is expected to provide the final answers on the future of short-term rentals in Greece. Property owners and managers will need to keep a close eye on developments and be informed of the details of the new regulations.
The ShortStay Conference 2025, which will take place in Athens on 14-15 February, will analyse all the specifications that short-term rental properties will have to meet under the new law, as well as the obligations of owners. You will learn in detail about the issue of the main use of the house from engineer Manos Kranidis, about insurance obligations from insurance consultant Maria Sevastaki, about security issues from security technician Panagiotis Mastorakis and about disinfection issues from CEO of NOVA Disinfectants Manos Tzanakakis.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be informed with validity and accuracy by the experts!