Travelling to Athens? Here’s how new rental rules in Greece could affect your vacation
New Rental Rules in Greece: What They Might Mean for Your Athens Holiday
If you are heading to Athens, chances are you are considering an Airbnb or Vrbo short-term rental. Greece has been a holiday destination for decades when tourists want unique, travel guest blog, affordable accommodations. This is changing recently, however, and might affect your options. So, here is a rundown of the new rules and what it could mean for you:.
The Emergence of Short-Stay Letting Platforms
Over the past decade, short-stay letting platforms have exploded in Athens. A tourist can easily book a wide range of accommodations – traditional houses in historic areas of Plaka and Monastiraki, modern apartments with views of the Acropolis. Thus, flexibility and affordability are significant factors in the rapid increase in tourism in Athens.
This, however, has its associated implications. There have been complains from local house residents about high rents and gentrification, where most homeowners prefer renting to the tourists, ignoring the locals. Short-term rentals have also shot up the demand in the local housing market, pushing the Greek government to introduce new regulations about renting.
The New Rental Regulations
To address these issues, Greece has just recently introduced more stringent regulations over short-term rentals. The following are the changes that will directly affect your vacation:
Registration Requirement: Those homeowners who rent space for a short-term period are now required to register with the AADE or Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Each property will be issued with an accession number that owners should include in posting on rental sites. That’s the idea behind this: open the system so that owners get taxed on their rental incomes. Guests should be aware that if they book an unregistered property, some trouble may arise. For example, such a rental might be closed down before you arrive.
Rental Curb: There are also new laws on the number of rentals an individual or company is allowed to make. An individual or company is only allowed to rent out two properties. That is allowed for only 90 days a year. It will be capped at 60 days on smaller islands. This will reduce the over-commercialization of residential areas in favor of long-term rentals with locals.
Deterrent Charges for Non-Compliance: Owners who would flout these provisions shall incur hefty fines. These start at €5,000; the amount keeps rising in case of recurring offenses. Because of this, a few hosts might decide to withdraw their properties from short-term rental platforms altogether, making fewer choices available for you to make from Athens.
How Your Stay Might Be Impacted By These Rules
The regulations will impact the short-term letting requirements of the tourists visiting Athens to take shelter in such accommodations during their visit to this city.
Depleted Stock: Since it’s a limit on the number of units any person can rent out, the overall short-term letting stock in Athens should generally decline, meaning you would face higher competition while trying to secure a place of accommodation especially during the peak seasons.
Higher Prices: Supplies of short-term lets will necessarily decrease, and the cost may increase, especially for high-demand areas next to world-famous attractions like the Acropolis. This is balanced by slightly improved quality and control, therefore reducing the risk of ending up signing a contract on an illegal or unlicensed rental property.
Better Consumer Protection: The new rules ensure greater transparency and responsibility toward the properties’ owners. Registration indicates that Greece is attempting to make their market more reliable and trustworthy. As a traveler, you can easily distinguish between registered properties and avoid potential problems at the last minute, such as late cancellations or possible safety standards broken in the local community.
Impact on Specific Neighborhoods: New regulations are quite likely going to change both Psirri and Koukaki neighborhoods, which have turned into so attractive attractions for tourist destination. Given that short-term rentals might remain available in all sizes and varieties, the number of short-term rentals available can be restricted by local zoning authorities in certain areas.
Alternatives to Short-Term Rentals
If it becomes harder to find short-term rentals due to new laws, or if the prices become too inflated, consider other options when visiting Athens:
Hotels: There are numerous hotels, from more expensive hotels to less expensive ones. Since it isn’t affected by the rental law, you may also find these to be easier to find and reasonably priced, especially for you, in off-peak season for tourists.
Boutique Guesthouses: For a more personable experience, boutique guesthouses are another alternative-many of which locally owned and offering unique and authentic experiences of traditional Athenian homes.
Apart-hotels: Finally, there is the apart-hotels, properties which combine the best of the hotel amenities with the practicality of an apartment, with kitchen facilities and more space for longer lettings.
Conclusion
KreativanSays:- New Rental Regulations in Greece: Competition Between Tourism Development and Housing for Locals
The new short-term rental rules in Greece look to meet both sides of the argument-pitting tourism development against housing issues for locals. A traveler needs to know all about these changes, especially when booking an accommodation in Athens. The regulation will undoubtedly reduce the share of short-term rentals, but on the other hand, it may eventually lead to a more favorable and resilient market that will create a better experience for you. Plan ahead and book only registered properties for a smooth and enjoyable stay in historic Athens.