RE/MAX Greece: rents rise 3.8% in 2026, exceeding €14 per sqm in prime areas

The trend reflects continued strong demand for housing, combined with the limited supply of available properties. At the same time, improvements in infrastructure and living conditions in several areas, through transport projects, new metro stations, parking facilities and green spaces, are acting as additional factors supporting higher prices.

The survey covers 124 areas across the country and is based on rental transactions conducted through the RE/MAX Greece network.

Attica at the Centre of the Increase

Attica continues to lead the rental market, with the average rental price increasing by 4.3% to €9.2 per sq. m., from €8.9 per sq. m. in 2025. In the Municipality of Athens and neighbouring areas, the average price stands at €9.8 per sq. m., representing an annual increase of 5.4%.

The most expensive areas of Athens include Kolonaki at €14 per sq. m., Lycabettus at €13 per sq. m., Neos Kosmos at €10.6 per sq. m., Petralona at €10.4 per sq. m., and the wider Hilton area at €10 per sq. m.

These are followed by Exarchia at €9.8 per sq. m. and Koukaki at €9.7 per sq. m., while Ampelokipoi and Zografou stand at €9.6 per sq. m. At the other end of the market, the lowest prices are recorded in Vyronas (€7.6 per sq. m.) and Patissia (€7.5 per sq. m.).

The changes in prices are particularly noteworthy. Petralona recorded an increase of 15.6% and Kypseli 14.3%, while significant increases were also recorded in Lycabettus (8.3%), Neos Kosmos (8.2%), Vyronas and Neapoli (5.6%), and Ampelokipoi (5.5%). By contrast, prices remained stable in Kolonaki and the wider Hilton area.

Northern Suburbs: Papagou and Cholargos Lead the Market

In the Northern Suburbs, the average rental price stands at €10.3 per sq. m., compared with €10 per sq. m. in 2025, representing an increase of 3%. Palaio Psychiko and Filothei rank at the top, at €12 per sq. m., followed by Papagou (€11.6 per sq. m.), Kifisia and Neo Psychiko (€11 per sq. m.), and Marousi (€10.6 per sq. m.).

The largest increases, however, were recorded in Papagou, at 12.6%, and Cholargos, at 10.8%. Significant increases were also recorded in Marousi (6%), Galatsi (4.7%), Agia Paraskevi (4.5%) and Kifisia (2.8%).

Southern Suburbs: Average Rent Reaches €11.1 per sq. m.

In the Southern Suburbs, the average rental price increased to €11.1 per sq. m., from €10.7 per sq. m. last year, representing a rise of 3.7%. Vari-Varkiza retains the highest average price, at €13 per sq. m., followed by Glyfada at €12.4 per sq. m., and Voula and Elliniko at €12 per sq. m.

The largest annual increases were recorded in Elliniko, at 9.1%, Vari-Varkiza, at 8.3%, Palaio Faliro, at 7%, and Nea Smyrni, at 6.1%.

Western Suburbs: Strongest Increase in Attica

The Western Suburbs recorded the largest average increase in rents in Attica. The average price rose to €7.4 per sq. m., from €7 per sq. m. in 2025, representing an increase of 5.7%. The highest average rent is recorded in Iraklio (€9 per sq. m.), followed by Nea Ionia (€8 per sq. m.), Aigaleo (€7.3 per sq. m.) and Peristeri (€7.2 per sq. m.).

In terms of annual changes, Peristeri and Aigaleo recorded increases of 9.1% and 9%, respectively, while rents in Haidari increased by 6.2%.

Piraeus: Sharp Increase in Korydallos

In Piraeus and neighbouring areas, the average rental price stood at €7.8 per sq. m., compared with €7.5 per sq. m. in 2025, representing an increase of 4%. Pasalimani and Neo Faliro recorded the highest prices, at €10 per sq. m., followed by Piraeus at €9.7 per sq. m., and Kastella, Piraiki and Freattyda at €9.5 per sq. m.

At the other end of the market, rents stood at €5.6 per sq. m. in Perama, €5.8 per sq. m. in Keratsini and Kaminia, and €6 per sq. m. in Korydallos. Despite its relatively low price level, Korydallos recorded the largest annual increase in Piraeus, at 11.1%. It was followed by Rentis at 9.5%, Keratsini at 9.4%, and Chatzikyriakio at 7.7%.

Thessaloniki: Rents Increase by 3%

In the Thessaloniki regional unit, the average rental price increased to €7.7 per sq. m., from €7.4 per sq. m. in 2025, representing a rise of 3%. Palia Paralia remains the most expensive area, with an average rent of €14 per sq. m., unchanged from the previous year.

Within the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Historic Centre stands at €11.4 per sq. m., Nea Paralia at €10 per sq. m., Ano Poli at €9.5 per sq. m., and Depo at €9 per sq. m. In western Thessaloniki, the average price rose to €6.1 per sq. m., representing the largest average annual increase in the city, at 5.2%.

In eastern Thessaloniki, the average price stands at €7.5 per sq. m., up 4.2%. The largest increase was recorded in Thermi, at 14.3%, followed by Nea Michaniona at 8.7% and Epanomi at 5%.

Regional Greece: Santorini at €14 per sq. m.

Outside Attica and Thessaloniki, the average rental price stands at €7.8 per sq. m., representing an annual increase of 4%. Santorini retains the highest rental prices, at €14 per sq. m., followed by Mykonos and Naxos at €12 per sq. m., and Paros and Rethymno at €11 per sq. m.

Rents stand at €10 per sq. m. in Volos and Chania, while the average price in Heraklion is €8.5 per sq. m., and in Larissa and Patras €8 per sq. m. At the other end of the market, the lowest prices are recorded in Thasos (€4.7 per sq. m.), Pyrgos (€5.1 per sq. m.), Karditsa (€5.2 per sq. m.) and Katerini (€5.5 per sq. m.).

In terms of annual changes, Nea Iraklitsa in Kavala recorded the largest increase in the country, at 16.7%, followed by Kavala at 12.1% and Drama at 10.2%. Paros is an exception to the overall upward trend, being the only area in regional Greece to record a decline in rents, of 8.3%.

The New Geography of Rents

RE/MAX Greece data show that rising rents are no longer confined to the traditionally expensive areas of the major urban centres. Increased demand, a shortage of available housing and improved infrastructure are creating new pockets of rental price increases.

Significantly, the largest increases are not being recorded exclusively in the most expensive markets. Nea Iraklitsa, Petralona, Thermi, Papagou, Cholargos and Korydallos are recording double-digit or near-10% increases, highlighting a shift in demand towards areas that combine comparatively lower costs with improved accessibility and infrastructure.