The short-term rental accommodation market, including Airbnb properties, is entering a new era with the implementation of stricter regulations from October 1st, 2024. A total of 246,877 property owners operating in the short-term rental sector must adapt to the new requirements, or face significant financial penalties.
Read: Short-term rentals: New ban for Airbnb in at least five tourist areas
Mandatory specifications for short-term rental accommodations
Properties registered in the Independent Authority for Public Revenue’s Short-Term Accommodation Registry and holding a Property Registry Number (PRN) must meet specific criteria:
• Configuration of main use areas with adequate natural lighting, ventilation and air conditioning systems
• Civil liability insurance coverage for tenant protection
• Electrical certification with technician’s responsible declaration, fire safety equipment, smoke detectors, leakage relays and appropriate emergency exit signage
• Pest control and disinfection certificates, first aid kit and informational materials with emergency contact numbers
Control system and escalating fines
Special teams from the Ministry of Tourism and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue will conduct regular inspections of accommodations. Property owners will receive ten-day advance notification via email before each inspection.
Violators will face a €5,000 fine for the first violation. In case of a second violation, the amount doubles to €10,000, while the third violation quadruples to €20,000. Innovative is the ability provided to visitors themselves to act as “citizen inspectors,” as they can submit electronic complaints when they identify violations of the regulations.
Future and restrictions on operating licenses
The legislative framework provides for a freeze on issuing new operating licenses until the end of 2025. From January 1st, 2026, restrictions already applied in specific areas of the Municipality of Athens will extend to other popular tourist destinations. Specifically, the new restrictions will cover Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Chania, Paros and Santorini, areas that show high concentrations of short-term rental accommodations.
