The new framework outlines the operational and safety standards that accommodations offered for short-term rentals must meet. These include being used primarily as residential spaces and adhering to specific criteria such as natural lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, liability insurance for damages or accidents, a responsible electrician's statement, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, circuit breakers or anti-electric shock relays, emergency exit signs, rodent and pest control certificates, first aid kits, and a guide with emergency contact numbers.
The draft bill has been accepted in principle by the Parliamentary Committee on Production and Trade. New Democracy (ND) MPs supported it, while MPs from PASOK, SYRIZA, Hellenic Solution, the "Niki" parliamentary group, Plevsi Eleftherias, and the Spartans reserved their positions for the plenary session. MPs from the KKE and the New Left opposed it.
Alexander Vasilikos, President of the Board of the Greek Hotel Chamber (XEE), praised the government's legislative initiative, calling it "historic," particularly regarding hotel standards, which is a global first. On the issue of AirBnBs, he emphasized that XEE has never opposed short-term rentals but always supported regulated short-term rentals, as is the norm in the Western world.
On the other hand, Eustratios Paradias, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA), criticized the provision requiring short-term rental properties to be designated as primary residential spaces retroactively. He argued this would lead to the demolition and devaluation of significant portions of the short-term rental property stock.
From the perspective of the Hellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (SETE), its spokesperson, Alex Thanos, stated that the bill moves in the right direction. He added that the regulations for AirBnBs, which include basic operational standards, align with SETE's position. He suggested that properties engaged in short-term rentals, if they offer any form of service, should be classified as tourist accommodations and comply with necessary regulatory conditions.
The President of the Board of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), George Stasinos, commended the Ministry of Tourism for its collaboration in the classification of hotels based not only on services like star ratings but also on their environmental and energy footprint. Regarding AirBnBs, he pointed out that it is unacceptable for someone to stay in a non-primary residential space.
Yiannis Chatzis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers (POX), stated that the bill's provisions move in the right direction. He emphasized that if short-term rentals are considered part of the official tourism sector, stricter regulations should apply, akin to those for hotels. If they are part of the sharing economy, time and quantity limits should be imposed.
Konstantinos Kiamas, Vice President of the Short-Term Rental Properties Association (STAMA Greece), agreed that illegal conversions of spaces such as basements into accommodations should be addressed but noted that these cases are very rare. He argued that such regulations would hinder investments in properties that have been repurposed into rental apartments.
Panos Tokouzis, President of the Confederation of Greek Tourism Accommodation Employers, supported any regulation that addresses short-term rentals.
George Hotsoglou, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector (POEET), emphasized the need for the bill to address the workers in the sector, especially as short-term rental beds have surpassed those in hotels.
Lysandros Tsilidis, President of the Federation of Tourist and Travel Agencies of Greece, noted that AirBnB guests should be considered part of the growing tourist numbers and that the issue should have been addressed a decade ago. He called for the tourism sector to function seriously and legally without additional bureaucracy.
Metropolitan Bishop of Thessaloniki, Filotheos, expressed his happiness with the bill's provisions for religious tourism, particularly concerning the Apostle Paul's path and the promotion of Thessaloniki's Byzantine Museum.
Elena Chronaki, Secretary General of the Panhellenic Association of Camping Business Owners, supported the provisions addressing all forms of free camping, including tents and mobile homes.
Vasiliki Vidali, Director of the Greek Association of Car Rental Companies (STEEAE), requested that the digital notification process also track all rented vehicles and monitor them periodically in specific areas.
Emmanouil Kozadinos, a doctor and volunteer advisor to the Panhellenic Association of Thermal Springs and Spas, called for more attention to the thermal tourism sector, which, beyond being a tourist activity, is also part of the healthcare sector.
Finally, Natasha Antonopoulou, coordinator of the Green Key Program of the Greek Society for the Protection of Nature, welcomed the sustainability-based accommodation classification system but requested more clarity on the environmental criteria.
