Bill for Establishing Standards for Short-Term Rental Properties, Environmental Classification of Accommodations, Simplification of Tourism Enterprise Establishment Procedures, Specific Provisions for Monitoring and Strengthening Tourism Infrastructure, and Other Urgent Regulations
The establishment of standards for short-term rentals through the enactment of the new bill is a positive and necessary step toward upgrading our hospitality services, and we welcome its adoption.
As an association, we have publicly stated our positions and submitted our proposals to the relevant ministries in a memorandum dated May 19, 2024. In this memorandum, we proposed the official adoption of standards to improve the quality of accommodations and ensure visitor safety—standards that we have already been applying for the most part.
Although the bill was initially drafted without the involvement of industry representatives, our recent participation in the parliamentary committee discussions is a positive first step.
The final text of the bill validates the positions of Stama and collaborating organizations such as POMIDA. The outcome of our efforts is considered a success.
The removal of the restriction requiring properties to be used as primary residences is a landmark for short-term rentals. It safeguards investments worth millions and creates new growth opportunities. Short-term rentals contribute millions of euros annually to the Greek economy and support local communities through travel expenditures and job creation.
Significant investments that have already been made—and those planned for the future—have been preserved. At the same time, many properties retain the right to find new uses, preventing them from being abandoned and left to deteriorate over time.
We cannot overlook the fact that challenges still lie ahead for our market. The short-term rental sector faces excessive accommodation taxes that equate us with 5-star hotels, along with other regulations and checks that are not imposed on other forms of hospitality.
Despite these burdens, we remain committed to providing superior hospitality services and enhancing the competitiveness of Greece’s tourism product.
Finally, the bill in its final form empowers us to continue our efforts as a responsible institutional body. We will keep advocating for the interests of short-term rental professionals while highlighting our contribution to the national economy, local communities, and entrepreneurship.
