Three of the largest booking platforms are changing what they charge Greek hosts within the same seven weeks. Airbnb moves its remaining independent hosts in the EU to a single 15.5% host fee from 13 October 2026. Vrbo moves most partners to a flat 12% commission from 29 October. And from 1 December, Booking.com adds 24% VAT to its commission for private hosts in Greece without a valid EU VAT number.
None of these changes is large on its own. Together, they change what a property actually takes home from each channel, and they make the Airbnb host fee in Greece directly comparable with Booking.com for the first time.
Platform fee changes for Greek hosts, autumn 2026
| Platform | Change | From |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | Split fee ends; single host-only fee of 15.5% | 13 October 2026 |
| Vrbo | Flat 12% commission per booking; subscription model ends | 29 October 2026 |
| Booking.com | 24% VAT added to commission for private hosts without a valid EU VAT number | 1 December 2026 |
What is the new Airbnb host fee in Greece?
From 13 October 2026, Airbnb charges independent hosts in the EU, including Greece, a single service fee of 15.5% deducted from the host’s payout, replacing the split model in which the host paid about 3% and the guest paid a separate service fee on top.
Under the old model, Airbnb’s combined fees exceeded 17% of the booking value, but most of it was paid by the guest at checkout. Under the new model the guest sees no separate Airbnb service fee, and the host pays it all.
The practical effect is on pricing. A host who keeps the same nightly rate after 13 October will receive roughly 12.5 percentage points less per booking than before. To keep the same payout, the listed price has to rise — but because the guest no longer pays a fee on top, the price the guest sees at checkout can end up similar to before. Airbnb’s stated aim is that the same property no longer looks more expensive on Airbnb than on Booking.com simply because of how the fee is displayed.
What changes on Vrbo?
From 29 October 2026, most Vrbo partners move to a single model with a fixed 12% commission per booking, and partners still on the older annual subscription model are moved to pay-per-booking at the same 12%.
Partners in regions that already pay more than 12% under existing agreements are not affected. Vrbo has not said publicly whether payment processing charges will remain on top of the 12%.
The more important detail for hosts who list on several channels is in Vrbo’s terms: hosts are asked to offer content, prices, discounts, fees and cancellation terms on Vrbo that are at least as favourable as on other channels, and Vrbo links this price consistency to how listings rank. In practice, raising prices only on Vrbo to absorb the commission becomes harder.
What changes on Booking.com?
From 1 December 2026, Booking.com adds 24% Greek VAT to its commission for private hosts in Greece who do not have a valid EU VAT number verifiable through the VIES system. The VAT applies to the commission only, not to the value of the booking.
On a €1,000 booking with a 16.6% commission, the commission is €166 and the VAT on it is €39.84. The total cost rises to €205.84, or 20.58% of the booking, and the host keeps €794.16 instead of €834.
Booking.com effective commission with 24% VAT
| Base commission | Effective cost from 1 December 2026 |
|---|---|
| 15% | 18.6% |
| 16.6% | 20.58% |
| 17% | 21.08% |
Hosts operating as a business with a valid EU VAT number are not affected by this change.
Which platform is now cheapest for Greek hosts?
On headline commission alone, Vrbo’s 12% is now the lowest of the three, Airbnb’s 15.5% sits in the middle, and Booking.com is the most expensive for private hosts at roughly 18.6% to 21% once VAT is included.
Commission is only half the picture. Each platform brings a different volume of guests, and for most Greek properties Booking.com and Airbnb still deliver far more bookings than Vrbo. A cheaper channel that books ten nights a year is worth less than a more expensive one that books sixty. The useful question is not which platform charges least, but what each one returns per night actually booked.
Are there lower-commission alternatives?
Yes. Holidu, a vacation rental platform operating in Greece, publishes a model with no upfront cost, a one-time activation fee of €80 to €150 charged on the first booking, and a commission of 5% to 8% per booking depending on the property’s location.
Holidu accepts new properties only in certain regions at a time, and its fees vary by area, so the exact terms should be confirmed during sign-up. For an owner already listed on Airbnb and Booking.com, it works as an additional channel rather than a replacement. Owners who join through a referral link receive 50% off the activation fee — you can list your property on Holidu here.
What should Greek hosts do before these dates?
Review nightly prices on Airbnb before 13 October, since the same price will now pay out less. Check your Booking.com status before 1 December — if you are a private host without a VIES-registered VAT number, budget for roughly 3 to 4 percentage points more in commission. And if you list on Vrbo, keep prices and terms consistent across channels rather than raising them on Vrbo alone.
Running the same property across three or four channels, each with different fees, parity rules and payout timing, is where most owners lose either money or time. Brothers Consulting manages bookings, pricing and guest communication across channels for owners anywhere in Greece, while the owner keeps the property, the listing, cleaning and keys. See the management page for what an active property earns in your area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Airbnb host fee in Greece from October 2026?
From 13 October 2026, Airbnb charges independent hosts in Greece a single host-only service fee of 15.5%, and guests no longer pay a separate Airbnb service fee.
What is Vrbo’s commission from October 2026?
Most Vrbo partners pay a flat 12% commission per booking from 29 October 2026, and the old annual subscription model is replaced by pay-per-booking.
Does Booking.com charge VAT on its commission in Greece?
From 1 December 2026, Booking.com adds 24% VAT to its commission for private hosts in Greece without a valid EU VAT number in VIES, raising a 16.6% commission to an effective 20.58%.
Which booking platform has the lowest commission for Greek hosts?
Among the three largest, Vrbo at 12% is the lowest from late 2026. Holidu publishes a commission of 5% to 8% plus a one-time activation fee of €80 to €150, depending on location.
Do I need to change my prices because of these changes?
On Airbnb, keeping the same nightly price after 13 October means a lower payout, so most hosts will need to adjust. On Booking.com, private hosts without a VAT number face higher effective commission from 1 December.
About this article
This article is based on platform announcements and Greek industry reporting from September and October 2026 on the Airbnb host-only fee, Vrbo’s commission changes and Booking.com’s VAT treatment of commission for private hosts. Holidu fees are from Holidu’s published pricing. Platform terms change frequently; confirm current terms in your host account.
Disclosure: the Holidu link in this article is a referral link. Owners who sign up through it receive 50% off the activation fee, and Greek BnB Data may receive a reward if the property is published.
Related: Airbnb or Booking.com? Which Platform Is Better, How Airbnb Income Is Taxed in Greece, Running Your Own Airbnb 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.