Reactions to Draft Greek Tourism Bill Regulating Short-term Rentals

A new Greek tourism bill regulating short-term rentals and other key tourism measures has received positive feedback from most sector representatives.

The bill, titled “Establishment of Specifications for Short-Term Rental Properties, Environmental Classification of Accommodations, Simplification of Tourism Business Establishment Procedures, and Additional Provisions for Strengthening Tourism Infrastructure”, was open for public comment from December 6 to December 19.

The Greek Parliament is set to vote on the bill on Thursday, January 16, after it was initially approved by the parliamentary committee for Production and Commerce.

According to a report by the Athens News Agency, members of the governing New Democracy party supported the draft, while opposition parties such as PASOK, SYRIZA, Elliniki Lysi, Niki, Plefsi Eleftherias, and Spartiates said they would share their opinions during the plenary session. The Communist Party and New Left party members have rejected the draft.

Industry reactions to the bill

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Alexandros Vasilikos, president of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH), praised the initiative, calling it “historical” for setting new short-term rental standards. While he noted that the HCH has never opposed short-term rentals, he emphasized the importance of regulation, as seen in other Western countries.

Alexandros Thanos, executive director of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), expressed support for the bill, noting that it moved in the “right direction”. However, he proposed that short-term rental properties be clearly distinguished from legally licensed tourist accommodations. He also suggested that local authorities should regulate the number of short-term rental properties per municipality.

Yannis Hatzis, president of the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (HHF), supported the bill’s direction, stating that if short-term rentals are considered part of the official tourism sector, they should be subject to stricter regulations. If they remain part of the sharing economy, limitations on time and quantity are necessary.

Panagiotis Tokouzis, president of the Greek Confederation of Tourist Accommodation Enterprises (SETKE), said he welcomed any regulation on short-term rentals.

Opposition to the bill

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Stratos Paradias, president of the Hellenic Property Federation (POMIDA), criticized the regulation, calling it “scandalous”. He argued that it would force short-term rental properties within city planning frameworks to be downgraded or demolished.

Konstantinos Kiamos, vice president of the Short Term Accommodation Managers Association (STAMA Greece), agreed with eliminating storage areas and basements used as short-term rentals but noted that these issues are limited in scope. He also warned that the bill could disrupt existing investments in renovated buildings that have been converted into rental properties.