Greece has become one of Europe’s most significant short-term rental markets. With over 207,000 registered properties and 8.2 million rental days recorded in 2024, the market has more than doubled since 2019.
Here is what the official data from ELSTAT — Greece’s national statistics authority — tells us about the state of the Greek Airbnb market.
Greece Airbnb market — a decade of growth
The Greek short-term rental market has grown consistently since 2019, with only a sharp interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, the recovery has been rapid and sustained.
In 2024, the total number of rental declarations reached 2.3 million — more than double the 977,000 recorded in 2019. Total rental days reached 8.2 million, a 14.4% increase compared to 2023.
Where the properties are — regional breakdown
Short-term rental activity in Greece is heavily concentrated in a handful of regions. Attica — which includes Athens — accounts for 36% of all rental days, followed by Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki) at 13.8% and Crete at 12.1%.
The fastest growing regions
Central Macedonia — the region containing Thessaloniki — recorded the highest growth rate among major regions in 2024, with rental days increasing by 19.5% compared to 2023. Attica grew by 14.4% and Crete by 9.3%.
This growth in Thessaloniki is particularly notable given the new license restrictions introduced in March 2026, which have closed the city center to new registrations. The market was already expanding rapidly before the restrictions took effect.
Seasonality — when guests visit Greece
The Greek short-term rental market is highly seasonal. In 2024, 60.8% of all rental days were concentrated in the June-October period, with August alone accounting for 18.8% of the full year.
For hosts, this seasonality data is critical for pricing strategy. August commands premium rates across all regions. June, July and September offer strong secondary peaks. The winter months — November through March — represent less than 15% of annual rental activity combined.
Who stays in Greek Airbnbs
Foreign guests dominate the Greek short-term rental market. In 2024, 84.2% of all rental days were by international visitors — up from 81.5% in 2019.
This means that for the vast majority of Greek Airbnb hosts, the ability to communicate effectively in English and present listings to an international audience is not optional — it is the core of the business.
What this means for hosts and investors
The Greek short-term rental market is large, growing and predominantly driven by international demand. With over 207,000 registered properties and 8.2 million rental days in 2024, it is one of the most active markets in Europe relative to the country’s size.
The concentration of activity in Attica, Central Macedonia and Crete reflects where the tourist demand is strongest — but it also reflects where regulatory pressure is highest. All three regions now have active license restrictions in their major urban centers.
For investors and hosts looking at the Greek market, the data points to two clear conclusions: the market is growing, and the window for easy entry in the most profitable areas is closing.
About this data
Statistics in this article are sourced from ELSTAT’s Experimental Statistics on Short-Term Rental Activity, published July 2025, covering the period 2019–2024. Data is based on official AADE registry records.
For city-specific earnings data, see our analyses of the Athens Airbnb market and the Thessaloniki Airbnb market.
Greek BnB Data provides insights for property owners and investors across Greece. Brothers Consulting manages short-term rental properties in Thessaloniki and Porto Heli.