The residences Available exclusively for short -term leases accounts for only 0.4% of the total mortgage in Greece, confirming that the effect of the Airbnb It is minimal in the housing market, according to a new study by the Athens University of Economics and Business (OPA).
The study, published Thursday (24.7.2025), stresses that the availability of houses is significantly less than short -term leases than the 2.28 million empty houses in the country at the time. At the same time, the data shows that Airbnb has contributed to the Greek economy by creating an activity of 3.25 billion euros and supporting more than 100,000 jobs in 2023.
The study examines both the economic benefits and the impact of short -term leases on national, regional and local level. Short -term leases are a key pillar of the Greek economy as they have evolved into a significant and structural element of the Greek tourism and accommodation.
In 2023, Their contribution to GDP of Greece is estimated between 4.5% and 5.4%. It is, therefore, not just a specialized market, but a strategic factor contributing to national economic production, public revenue and regional tourism development.
Short -term leases are a flexible solution to meet increased demand for tourism, playing a vital role in the absorption of demand wave, especially during the summer peak months, when hotels often exceed 90%.
The findings also show that in historical cities such as Athens, short -term entries are mainly gathered in the city center. However, vacancies remain significantly high, as 1.1% of houses in the center of the capital are available for short -term lease, while the percentage of vacancies exceed 25%. In addition, 98% of individual hosts in Greece manage one or two properties, with average monthly income from short -term leases to EUR 628 per property.
Valentina Reino, Airbnb Policy Officer in Greece said: “Short -term lease accommodation (STR) are a key pillar of the Greek economy and a vital source of income for hundreds of thousands of hosts. According to recent study findings, short -term leases are not responsible for the housing crisis in our country. On the contrary, they contribute to the rejuvenation of neighborhoods, absorbing the peak tourist season and distributing tourism out of the season and outside the busy destinations, in areas where there are no hotels. The limitation of short -term leases without substantiated evidence will have negative consequences for both Greek citizens and the local economy. “
Professor of Athens University of Economics and Business, George Doukidis said: “Short -term leases in Greece are an integral part of the Greek tourism industry, with a significant contribution to the national economy and the support of many thousands of jobs, while covering increasing needs for hospitality throughout the country, providing necessary alternatives to foreigners. The overwhelming majority of providers are private, with an entry that provides a small but critical income to many thousands of Greek families. Short -term leases account for only 2.9% of the total number of houses and do not have a significant impact on roofing. “