A report by the Athens University of Economics and Business (OPA) shows that Airbnb has little to no effect on the Greek housing market. Short -term leases account for just 1% of homes in downtown Athens, while empty real estate reached 25%. In 2023, Airbnb hosts contributed 3.25 billion euros to the Greek economy and supported more than 100,000 jobs.

24.07.2025 – A new study by the Athens University of Economics and Business shows that residences available exclusively for short -term leases account for only 0.4% of the total housing in Greece, confirming that the effect of Airbnb on the housing market is minimal. The study, published today, stresses that the availability of houses is significantly influenced by short -term leases compared to the 2.28 million empty houses that exist at the time in the country. 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: “The short -term leasing 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 the 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 their increasing needs. The overwhelming majority of benefits 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 have no significant effect on roofing. “

Airbnb calls on the competent policy -making bodies to use documented, data -based methods to identify areas with increased short -term lease activity and to make targeted arrangements taking into account different types of hosts and needs. As the study points out, such interventions will ensure that local communities continue to reap financial benefits from short -term leases, without disturbing the balance in the housing market.

The results of the study are available to the public on the Airbnb website for those who want more information on findings and proposed regulatory proposals.