Has Airbnb Been Banned in Greece? Updated 2026 Guide
Recently, many news reports have appeared saying, “Greece has banned Airbnb” and “It will no longer be possible to rent houses in Greece.” Turkish tourists, especially those planning trips to Lesbos Island, Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek islands, have started to experience significant uncertainty about this issue.
So what is the real situation?
Short answer: No. Airbnb has not been completely banned in Greece. However, much stricter rules and inspections have been introduced for short-term rental properties.
In this article, we explain in detail the Airbnb system in Greece as of 2026, the new rules, penalties, and the latest situation on Lesbos Island.
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Why did Greece change its Airbnb rules?
In recent years, Airbnb and similar short-term rental platforms have grown significantly in Greece.
Especially in:
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Santorini
- Mykonos
- Crete
- Lesbos
thousands of homes were opened to short-term rentals in tourist areas.
As a result:
- the number of long-term rental homes decreased,
- rental prices rose rapidly,
- students and local residents began having difficulty finding homes,
- a housing crisis emerged in city centers.
The Greek government has introduced new regulations in order to protect the housing market.
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Has Airbnb been completely banned?
No.
As of today, Airbnb use continues throughout Greece.
Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and other short-term rental platforms continue operating.
However, property owners are now required to comply with specific rules.
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How does the new system work?
Every property owner who wants to offer short-term rentals in Greece must:
- register the property in the official system,
- obtain a registration number from the AADE system,
- declare rental income,
- pay taxes,
- meet safety requirements.
Publishing an listing or renting without this registration number can lead to serious fines.
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What is AADE?
AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) is Greece’s independent tax authority.
It can be considered equivalent to the Revenue Administration in Turkey.
Airbnb registrations, income declarations, and inspections are carried out by this institution.
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What is an AMA number?
It is the official registration number issued for each short-term rental property.
This number must appear in listings on platforms such as:
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- Vrbo
High fines are imposed if unregistered properties are detected.
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What changed in Athens and Thessaloniki?
The most important change in 2026 began to be implemented in Athens and Thessaloniki.
In particular, new Airbnb registrations have been temporarily suspended in some areas of the city center.
This decision does not apply to existing businesses.
So:
✔ Businesses registered earlier can continue operating.
However:
❌ New homes cannot be registered in the system.
The purpose of this measure is to increase housing supply in city centers.
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Is Airbnb banned on Lesbos Island?
No.
As of 2026, there is no Airbnb ban for Lesbos Island.
Across the island:
- registered Airbnb homes,
- boutique apartments,
- traditional stone houses,
- summer villas,
continue operating.
However, property owners on Lesbos must also comply with the AADE registration system and tax rules, just like all other businesses in Greece.
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New safety requirements
Greece is no longer only conducting tax audits.
In rented homes, the following standards are also required:
- fire extinguisher,
- smoke detector,
- first aid kit,
- electrical safety,
- adequate ventilation,
- basic hygiene conditions
These standards are being required to ensure safer accommodation for tourists.
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How high are the fines?
Very heavy penalties are being imposed on businesses operating contrary to the rules.
These include:
- a fine equal to 50% of rental income,
- an administrative fine of at least 20,000 euros,
- fines of up to 40,000 euros if repeated within the same year
This means that operating an unregistered short-term rental has become very risky.
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Does this affect Turkish tourists?
In general, no.
For tourists traveling from Turkey to Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes, or other Greek islands, there is no significant change.
Reservations continue to be made normally.
However, when making a booking, it is important to:
- choose registered businesses,
- use reliable platforms,
- select officially documented accommodation facilities.
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Our recommendation for those planning a trip to Lesbos
If you are planning to visit Lesbos Island, you should organize not only accommodation but also:
- ferry tickets,
- hotel reservations,
- car rentals,
- island tours,
- transfer services
Planning your entire trip from one place both saves time and helps prevent possible problems.
At GÜVENTRAVEL, we provide up-to-date information and professional support for Dikili–Lesbos ferry services, hotel reservations, car rental, and island tours.
Conclusion
In 2026, Airbnb has not been completely banned in Greece. The regulations introduced aim to make the short-term rental sector more registered, safer, and taxable.
Although new registrations have been temporarily suspended in certain parts of Athens and Thessaloniki, registered Airbnb businesses continue operating in many tourist areas of Greece, including Lesbos Island.
Before making travel plans, following the latest rules and choosing reliable accommodation options is the best approach for a smooth Greece vacation.
