Short-term rental demand in Greece grew faster than the European average in the first half of 2026. According to Eurostat, guest nights in Greek short-term rentals booked through the major online platforms rose 8.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same quarter of 2025, against 5.3% across the European Union.
The first quarter was stronger still, with growth of 14.9%. After a 2025 in which official Greek statistics showed growth slowing to single digits, the first half of 2026 points to demand picking up again.
How fast did Greek short-term rentals grow in 2026?
Greek short-term rentals recorded 14,574,464 guest nights in the second quarter of 2026, up 8.3% on the second quarter of 2025, and 3,265,579 guest nights in the first quarter, up 14.9%, according to Eurostat.
Together that makes 17.84 million guest nights in the first half of 2026. The second quarter alone accounted for 82% of them — a reminder of how heavily Greek demand is concentrated in the months from April onward.
How does Greece compare with the rest of Europe?
Among the seven EU countries with the most short-term rental guest nights, Greece recorded the second-fastest growth in the second quarter of 2026 at 8.3%, behind Poland at 8.9% and ahead of Italy at 8.1%.
Spain, the largest short-term rental market in this group alongside France, grew just 1.9%. Portugal grew 2.6%, France 6.2% and Germany 6.5%. All seven countries grew, but the two largest Southern European destinations other than Greece and Italy are growing far more slowly.
Short-term rental guest night growth, Q2 2026
| Country | Growth vs Q2 2025 |
|---|---|
| Poland | +8.9% |
| Greece | +8.3% |
| Italy | +8.1% |
| Germany | +6.5% |
| France | +6.2% |
| Portugal | +2.6% |
| Spain | +1.9% |
| European Union total | +5.3% |
Is the whole European market still growing?
Yes. Across the EU, guests spent 258.8 million nights in short-term rentals booked through the major platforms between April and June 2026, 13.1 million more than in the same period of 2025 and 50 million more than in the second quarter of 2024 — growth of 23.9% over two years.
Growth was not universal. Malta recorded the largest increase at 25%, followed by Slovakia at 17% and Slovenia at 12.9%. Iceland, Austria, Cyprus and Hungary recorded declines, of between 2.0% and 4.5%.
Does this contradict the 2025 slowdown?
Not directly, because the two figures measure different things. Eurostat counts guest nights booked through Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia Group platforms, while the Hellenic Statistical Authority figures that showed 4.7% growth in 2025 count rental days per registered property across all platforms.
What the two sets of numbers do agree on is that the market is still growing. The 2026 figures suggest that demand in the first half of the year grew faster than in 2025, and other indicators point the same way: AirDNA reported that Greek revenue per available night rose 14.3% year on year in July 2026, nearly double the European average.
What does this mean for owners?
Demand is rising, but so is regulation. The same months that brought 8.3% growth also brought an extended registration freeze in central Athens and Thessaloniki, a new national tourism spatial framework, and stricter property standards. Growth at the market level does not mean every property shares in it — the gap between well-run and average listings remains wider than the gap between good and bad years.
Frequently asked questions
How much did short-term rentals grow in Greece in 2026?
Guest nights rose 14.9% in the first quarter of 2026 and 8.3% in the second quarter, compared with the same quarters of 2025, according to Eurostat.
How many short-term rental nights were there in Greece in Q2 2026?
14,574,464 guest nights were booked through the major online platforms in Greece in the second quarter of 2026.
Is Greece growing faster than the rest of Europe?
Yes. Greece’s 8.3% growth in the second quarter of 2026 was above the EU average of 5.3% and second only to Poland among the seven largest EU markets.
Which European countries saw short-term rentals decline in 2026?
Iceland, Austria, Cyprus and Hungary recorded falls in guest nights in the second quarter of 2026, of between 2.0% and 4.5%.
About this data
Figures are from Eurostat’s statistics on short-stay accommodation booked through online platforms, based on data shared by Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia Group, as reported in October 2026. Eurostat measures guest nights, which differ from the rental days per property published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
Related: Greece’s Short-Term Rental Boom Is Slowing Down, Greece Confirms Airbnb Freeze Extended to 2027, Airbnb Seasonality in Greece.
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.