Airbnb Managers Body in Greece Takes Legal Action Over New Tax

Photo source: Airbnb

Greece’s Short-Term Accommodation Managers Association (STAMA) announced this week that it had taken legal action over a government decision to tax legal entities for Airbnb-style activity.

STAMA said it would be taking the matter to Greece’s highest administrative court.

“Stama’s obligation through its institutional role is to defend the interests of its members and of our market in general. We will continue to do this all costs but also with trust in Greek justice,” said STAMA President Nasos Gavalas, adding that the short-term rental industry in Greece contributes more than 5 billion euros to the country’s GDP and generates revenues in local and business communities.

Gavalas added that STR activity developed in the midst of the crisis without subsidies or aid and exclusively with private capital.

“All of us in this industry make daily efforts to expand our businesses, satisfy our guests, be consistent with our employees and our tax obligations. Now a ‘liberal’ government has targeted our industry threatening it with extinction, unemployment and layoffs, imposing unbearable, unjust and unpredictable taxes,” he added.

STAMA cites a new directive according to which short-term rental managers (legal entities and natural persons) will be required on top of VAT and two additional taxes charged per night, to also pay a 600-euro charge for each property rented out as short-term accommodation.

According to the new regulations, properties leased out as short stays have been defined as a “department”, STAMA said.