According to data from the Hellenic Institute of Tourism Enterprises (INSETE), the upward trend in available short-term rental beds remained strong in Q3 2025, continuing the significant increase observed in the previous year, with the total number of beds exceeding 1 million.
Short-Term Rentals in Numbers
The evolution of short-term rental accommodations from January to October 2025, according to INSETE, shows a continued rise compared to the same period in 2024, consolidating the trend that began in 2023 and strengthened throughout 2024. Q1 2025 started particularly strong. In January, 213,000 units were recorded, up by 23,000 from 190,000 in January 2024. February saw 216,000 units (+20,000 from 196,000), and March reached 222,000 (+18,000 from 204,000).
The positive momentum continued in Q2. In April, 228,000 units were recorded (+16,000 from 212,000 in April 2024). In May, the total rose to 236,000 (+18,000 from 218,000), and June reached 242,000 (+17,000 from 225,000).
Q3 also maintained growth. July recorded 246,000 units, exceeding July 2024 by 14,000. August saw a new historical high of 247,000 (+14,000), while September recorded a slight decline to 245,000, remaining +13,000 above September 2024. In October, seasonal decline brought the total to 234,000 units, still +9,000 higher than October 2024.
The upward trend in available beds continued robustly in Q3 2025. In Q1, January recorded 947,000 beds, an increase of +102,000 from 845,000 in January 2024. February reached 961,000 (+84,000), and March 981,000 (+76,000). Q2 strengthened further, with April at 1.008 million (+73,000 from 935,000), May at 1.038 million (+76,000), and June at 1.061 million (+70,000).
Q3 set consecutive records: July reached 1.078 million (+57,000 from 1.021 million), August peaked at 1.081 million (+58,000), the highest level of the period, and September recorded 1.075 million (+56,000). October saw a seasonal dip to 1.030 million, still +38,000 above October 2024.
Average Length of Stay and Traveler Composition
Average stay in short-term rentals during Q1 2025 showed a general decline compared to Q1 2024, continuing a mild downward trend from late 2024. In January, the average stay was 3.1 nights (-3.1% from 3.2 nights in 2024), February 3.2 nights (-11.1%), and March 3.4 nights (-2.9%).
Q2 saw stabilization in April and mild recovery in the following months. April remained at 3.7 nights, May increased to 3.6 nights (+5.9%), and June rose to 3.8 nights (+2.7%). Q3 maintained the positive momentum: July recorded 4.1 nights, August 4.2 nights (+2.4%), September 3.8 nights, and October 3.8 nights, confirming stability after the summer peak.
Traveler composition in Q1 2025 highlighted an increased presence of international visitors, continuing a trend from mid-2024. In January, foreigners accounted for 60% of guests, February 64%, and March 69%. Q2 strengthened this trend further: April 86%, May 92%, and June 92%. Q3 remained high: July 91%, August 89%, September 94% (highest of 2019–2025), and October 88%.
Concerns Among Hoteliers
The hotel sector expressed concern. At the 8th Regional Conference of the Panhellenic Association of Hoteliers (POX) in Ioannina, POX President Giannis Chatzis criticized the competition from short-term rentals, which depresses pricing in the Greek tourism market, making upgrades for small and medium family-run hotels challenging, especially given limited bank financing. However, he acknowledged recent government steps toward equal competitive conditions, both tax and regulatory, between hotels and short-term rentals.
“Greek tourism relies on a very specific business geography: thousands of small and micro-enterprises. The sustainability of this model directly impacts the competitiveness of the entire tourism ecosystem,” Mr. Chatzis stated. He emphasized that any strategic direction must consider three key factors: (1) limited access to bank financing for much of the sector, (2) the importance of infrastructure and local community cohesion, and (3) the need for regulatory equality. All forms of tourism accommodation, regardless of claims of a sharing economy, must operate under equivalent rules regarding taxation, licensing, safety, and labor.
Regulatory Rationalization of the Short-Term Rental Market
Meanwhile, the Greek short-term rental market is entering a phase of rationalization. The implementation of the new regulatory framework, registration of properties in the short-term rental registry, and increasing compliance requirements are fostering transparency and professionalism. In January 2025, functional and safety standards for short-term rental properties were introduced. For the first time, on October 1, inspections began to enforce these standards, with penalties for violations, conducted either jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) or independently.
“Quality tourism means rules, moderation, balance, and legality,” stated Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. “The new legal framework for short-term rentals aims to upgrade the tourism offering and support decent and affordable accommodation.” Accordingly, no new registrations are allowed in the short-term rental registry in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd municipal districts of Athens for 2025 and 2026.
Key provisions of the new legislation require short-term rental properties to meet minimum standards, including: primary-use classification under the New Building Code, natural lighting, ventilation and air conditioning, liability insurance covering potential damages or accidents, an electrician’s certification, and a pest control certificate. Compliance inspections are conducted by the Ministry of Tourism and the AADE, with penalties aligned with those applied to tourist accommodations.
