Greek PM: Measures Needed to Tackle Airbnb Spread

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said measures were currently under examination to address a surge in Airbnb-style rentals which are impacting neighborhoods in Athens.

In an interview to SKAI TV, Mitsotakis said studies were required and that additional measures would be taken to address the issue. “I don’t want neighborhoods in Athens that have no local character,” he said.

The PM confirmed that as a result of increasing short-term rental activity, “the center of Athens is losing its distinct character, something that should concern us and the Municipality of Athens,” he said, adding that relevant announcements would be made soon.

Last fall, Mitsotakis announced that Airbnb rental income would be taxed with a new “climate crisis resilience charge” which means that property owners leasing out one property or more will be required to charge an extra daily scaled fee which will range from 1.5-euros to 10 euros in March-October and 0.5 euros to 4 euros from November to February applicable to all forms of tourist accommodations. Revenues from this charge will go into a specially created emergency fund for natural disasters

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his interview on SKAI TV.

Mitsotakis also referred to the rising cost of long-term rentals in the city center which he attributed to an improving economy and a growing demand for homes compared to supply, which he said was limited in part due to Airbnb activities and because many flats remain closed.

During the discussion, the journalists pointed out that rents in the center of Athens have increased due to properties being bought through the Golden Visa program

“Those are few through the Golden Visa program, but they are not negligible either. That is why we are also increasing the Golden Visa limit,” the PM said.

Lastly, referring to a recent decision to increase the basic wage, Mitsotakis said in will positively affect tourism sector jobs and those working in seasonal positions.