The Greek government has taken strict measures against the tourist burden on the housing market in Thessaloniki. From March 1, 2026, no new permits will be issued for short-term rentals (e.g. through Airbnb and similar platforms) in the most concentrated tourist areas of the city. The aim is to relieve the housing market for the local population, which is already struggling to find affordable housing due to increased rental activity for tourists.
The ban affects key areas in the center of Thessaloniki — between Egnatia and Tsimiski streets, including the Ladadika and Port neighborhoods, as well as the coastal promenade from the Port to White Tower — spaces with a high concentration of offices, shops and tourist sites, where the housing stock is increasingly used for short-term rentals.
According to the authorities, these areas are among the most affected by the so-called tourist disintegration of the urban environment — a process in which local residents are pushed out of the housing market by the more profitable short-term rental model. The new rules aim to reduce this tension and limit speculative practices that keep homes out of the regular rental market.
Incentive measures are being introduced, designed to encourage owners to transfer their properties from short-term to long-term rentals. These include tax breaks for 3 years for those who make this change, which the state presents as an incentive to build a more sustainable and affordable housing market.
Until March 1, 2026, any owner who wants to register a property for short-term rentals must have obtained a registration number (AMA) from the Greek tax authority (AADE). Without this number, re-registration or a new permit will not be possible until the end of the calendar year.
To ensure compliance with the rules, municipal teams and tax inspectors in Thessaloniki will begin on-site inspections in central neighborhoods, looking for listings without a valid registration number. In the absence of updated safety and registration data, fines for owners can range from 5,000 to 20,000 EUR, and listings can be removed from platforms for up to 1 year.
The changes come amid a broader effort by the Greek state to regulate the short-term rental market, which in some areas has already led to significant rent increases and a reduction in housing available to permanent residents. Tourists in Greece already pay a nightly fee for short-term rentals — 8 EUR in the high season and 2 EUR in the winter, which is part of the government's attempts to raise funds to address climate and natural challenges.
Detailed statistics on average property prices in Bulgaria by city and neighborhood can be found at imot.bg