New Hotel Star Classification System Introduced in Greece

A ministerial decision introducing a new mandatory star rating system for hotels in Greece was published on Friday in the Government Gazette.

The decision focuses on hotel services and other technical requirements that hotels in Greece must fulfil, particularly those of higher categories.

According to the decision, hotels in Greece will be ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Each hotel is classified into one of the five categories if they follow the minimum standards and collect the minimum number of points required for classification.

Among other things, the decision specifies the plot plan minimum requirements for hotel construction in accordance with general and specific planning provisions.

Access to hotels, as foreseen by the law, must be via a private or public road measuring at least 3.5 meters.

Also, hotels are now obliged to provide rooms designed for guests with a disability or reduced mobility. The minimum number of rooms for guests with disabilities is set at five percent of the total capacity of the hotel.

Greek hoteliers should be informed that the special seal, issued through the previous classification system, automatically ceases to apply on December 31, 2017. By this date all hotels in Greece are required to have a rating certificate in accordance with the provisions of the new decision.

Click here to read the ministerial decision (in Greek)