Greece has confirmed what was only a reported scenario a week ago. Speaking at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, the Prime Minister announced that the suspension on new short-term rental registrations in central Athens and central Thessaloniki is extended by a full additional year, now running to 31 December 2027.
The announcement lands alongside new performance data placing Greece at the top of Europe’s short-term rental market on almost every measure that matters to a host.
What did the government confirm?
The suspension on new Property Registration Number (ΑΜΑ) applications in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Municipal Districts of Athens and the Α’ Municipal Community of Thessaloniki now extends to 31 December 2027, confirmed by the Prime Minister at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair.
This had been reported as one of several scenarios under discussion before the Fair. It is now confirmed government policy rather than speculation, and the affected areas remain unchanged from those already in force.
Areas covered by the extended freeze
| City | Areas affected |
|---|---|
| Athens | Plaka, Kolonaki, Koukaki, Syntagma, Omonia, Monastiraki, Exarchia, Ilisia, Neapoli, Mets, Neos Kosmos, Agios Artemios, Pagkrati, Votanikos, Metaxourgeio, Gazi, Petralona, Rouf |
| Thessaloniki | The historic, commercial and tourist centre — from Aristotelous Square along Egnatia and Tsimiski, Ladadika, the port area, the waterfront to the White Tower, Rotonda, Kamara, Navarinou, parts of Valaoritou, and Ano Poli |
The extension applies specifically to owners who had planned to register a new property for short-term rental in these zones. Anyone without an existing ΑΜΑ cannot obtain one in these areas for as long as the suspension remains in force — now confirmed through the end of 2027.
Is Greece’s short-term rental market still growing despite the restrictions?
Yes, and by a wide margin. According to AirDNA’s July 2026 European Review, revenue per available night (RevPAR) in the Greek market rose 14.3% year over year, nearly double the 7.7% recorded across Europe as a whole.
Greek RevPAR stood at €142.80 in July, against a European average of €110.10 — confirming that the Greek market sits at the expensive end of Europe’s short-term rental map even as it grows faster than the continental average.
Greece vs European average, July 2026
| Metric | Greece | Europe average |
|---|---|---|
| RevPAR | €142.80 (+14.3% YoY) | €110.10 (+7.7% YoY) |
| Average daily rate (ADR) | €200.35 (+12.8% YoY) | €159.20 (+8.2% YoY) |
The average nightly rate for a Greek short-term rental in July was roughly €41 higher than the European average — and that gap is the primary driver of Greece’s outperformance. It is not that Greek properties are booked meaningfully more often than the European average; it is that they command a substantially higher price when they are.
How does the freeze extension connect to this performance?
The pattern already visible across Athens and Thessaloniki holds at the national level: restricting supply in the areas with the strongest existing demand tends to support pricing for the properties that already hold registrations there.
An extended freeze in the highest-performing central districts of Greece’s two largest cities, combined with a market already outperforming Europe on price growth, reinforces the position of owners who registered before the freeze took hold. It does not change anything for owners already operating — but it further narrows the path for anyone hoping to enter those specific markets before 2028.
What should owners and investors take from this?
If you already hold a registration in a restricted zone, nothing changes for you operationally, and the confirmed extension removes uncertainty about whether the freeze might lift at the end of 2026 as originally scheduled — it will not.
If you were waiting to see whether the freeze would be extended before deciding where to invest, that decision is now made for you: central Athens and central Thessaloniki remain closed to new registrations for at least one more year than previously confirmed. Areas outside these zones — covered in our earlier articles on both cities — remain the relevant options for new entrants in the near term.
Frequently asked questions
Has the Airbnb freeze in Athens and Thessaloniki been extended?
Yes. The Greek Prime Minister confirmed at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair that the suspension on new registrations in central Athens and central Thessaloniki now runs to 31 December 2027.
Is this extension confirmed or still a proposal?
Confirmed. It was announced as government policy at the Thessaloniki International Fair, not reported as one of several scenarios under consideration.
How is the Greek short-term rental market performing compared to the rest of Europe?
Ahead of the average. Greek RevPAR grew 14.3% year over year in July 2026 against a 7.7% European average, driven by a 12.8% rise in average daily rate.
Does the extended freeze affect existing registered properties?
No. It only prevents new registrations in the affected zones; existing ΑΜΑ registrations continue to operate as before.
About this article
This article is based on Greek economic press reporting from 7–8 September 2026 on announcements made at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, and on AirDNA’s European Review for July 2026.
Related: Greece’s Airbnb Rules Could Get Even Tighter, Greek Airbnb Law Explained, Airbnb Regulations Athens 2026.
Greek BnB Data provides insights for property owners and investors across Greece. Brothers Consulting manages short-term rental properties in Porto Heli, Ermionida, Argolida and Thessaloniki, Greece.