The new Airbnb restrictions will come into effect on January 1, 2025. The Greek government will halt the issuance of licenses for new Airbnb locations in three central districts of Athens for a one-year period, according to the newspaper Proto Thema.
Greece Targets Airbnb: License Issuance to Be Frozen
After a year, the market situation will be reassessed. Inspections will be conducted to determine whether short-term rentals continue to affect the availability of long-term housing. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis explained that restrictions on short-term rentals may be expanded to other areas if the housing market situation worsens. According to data from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR), there were 600,000 vacant homes across Greece in 2023.
The main effects of the Greek government's new tourism policy are the increase in the climate change fee, which is charged on the occupancy of hotel rooms and short-term rentals. The climate crisis fee will increase from April to October: for five-star hotels from EUR 10 per room per night to EUR 15, for four-star hotels to EUR 10 and to EUR 8 for three-star hotels. The short-term rental fee will also be set at EUR 8.
Greece to Raise Fees for Tourists on Cruise Ships Arriving at Islands
The Greek Prime Minister also announced an increase in the tax for cruise ship passengers arriving at Santorini and Mykonos during peak tourist season to €20 (up from the current 35 cents). For these two Greek islands, as well as for other ports, the fee will depend on the destination and the time of year, as explained by ekathimerini.com.
The increase will apply to cruise trips and transport from the ship to shore. However, it is not yet clear if higher fees will also apply to passengers visiting Greek islands via fast coastal ferries operated by travel agencies.
