Greece Fights Housing Crisis: New Airbnb Rules from Fall 2024
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis Announces Airbnb Regulation to Address Long-Term Rental Crisis, Starting Fall 2024
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece, in a recent interview with "ΣΚΑΪ TV", emphasized the necessity to take steps to address the shortage of long-term rental housing caused by the increase in short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb.
He expressed concern that areas in Athens might lose their unique character and become mere zones for short-term renters.
According to him, authorities plan to introduce new measures to increase the supply of long-term housing, including the regulation of short-term rentals, which will begin in the fall of 2024.
The government's plans include setting a maximum duration for short-term rentals and limiting the number of properties one person can rent out on a short-term basis.
There is also a proposal to require property owners who receive a "golden visa" to only rent out their property on a long-term basis, with visa cancellation in case of violation.
Statistics show a significant increase in short-term rentals in Greece, with an increase in registrations on online platforms and the volume of the sharing economy.
This is particularly noticeable in Attica, where the number of properties available for short-term rental reaches 11,000, while across the country, there are 140,000.
Also, in response to mass protests last summer, triggered by restrictions on beach access due to the commercial activities of coastal establishments, the Greek government announced new rules for regulating access to the coastline.
Earlier, Canada decided to extend the restrictions on property purchases by foreigners until 2027, aiming to control the rise in real estate prices and ensure housing affordability for the country's citizens.