Athens Restricts Short-Term Rentals, Advances Metro Construction This Week

Athens municipality rolled out stricter registration rules for short-term rentals starting Monday, requiring hosts in central districts to prove primary residence status before listing on platforms.

The change arrives as summer visitor numbers climb and long-term rents in the capital continue to push residents outward. Officials tied the step to a national housing shortage that has left many locals unable to compete with higher-paying tourists for apartments.

Pressure on central neighbourhoods

Enforcement teams began checks this week along Ermou Street and in the Plaka district, where dozens of properties already carry fines for unlicensed operations. The Athens Development Agency is tracking compliance through a new digital registry that cross-references tax records with platform data. At the same time, metro crews advanced tunnel boring between Syntagma Square and the upcoming Exarcheia station, with service disruptions scheduled through August on Line 2.

Figures released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority show average monthly rents in central Athens rose 18 percent year-on-year to 12.40 euros per square metre in June. Tourist arrivals at Athens International Airport reached 1.4 million in the first half of 2026, up 9 percent from the same period last year. City records list 42,000 active short-term rental units inside the municipal boundaries, with more than half concentrated inside the Acropolis ring.

Next steps for residents

Landlords have until September 15 to submit updated declarations or face removal from booking sites. Tenants seeking relief can contact the municipal housing office on 210-331-2000 for information on the expanded rent-subsidy program that opens applications next month. Metro users are advised to check the STASY app for updated Line 2 timetables before travel.