Greece to Clamp Down on Tax Evasion from Short-term Rental Activity

Greek tax authorities are giving Airbnb-style property hosts until February 28 to update information on the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) platform in order to avoid fines for tax evasion.

More specifically, property owners who are found in violation of related short-term rental laws will be fined with up to 5,000 euros.

Short-term rental hosts are also required by February 28 to make any necessary changes to their submitted data as tax officials begin inspections for the 2022 tax year.

According to AADE, tax auditors will cross-check data submitted by hosts with information provided by Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO.

Tax authorities are targeting property owners and managers of Airbnb-type properties who have not obtained a Property Registry Number (AMA) or have declared false information about their properties.

Income from short-term rental activity will also be subject to scrutiny and property owners found to be in violation of the rules or lacking an AMA code, or special operating license (ESL / MAG number), will be subject to fines.

In addition to the fines, properties will be removed from online listings.

It is reminded that according to Greek law, earnings from rental activity of any real estate property – apartment, house, rooms in apartments or detached houses –  is considered taxable income.

Under the law, Greek tax authorities can request online platforms to provide information concerning hosts who list their properties on the platforms. Online platforms will report this information to local tax authorities at the end of February every year.