Summary
The Commission is changing its tone on short-term rentals, now aiming for transparency and harmonization rather than prohibition — while Portugal is reversing its policy after restrictions failed to keep housing prices and rents down. This development contrasts with the Greek government's plans to extend the ban to Thessaloniki and new areas of Athens. POMIDA is calling for a review of Greek policy, citing Lisbon's shift as proof of excess. |
The European Commission is toning down its stance against short-term rentals following Lisbon's recent decision to lift the ban on new short-term rentals in the city center.
At a time when the Greek government wants to extend the ban on issuing new Property Registration Numbers (ΑΜΑ) for short-term rentals in new areas, the situation in Europe is changing.
The European Commission's official line against platforms such as Airbnb remains the same, but officials in Brussels are talking about a policy that aims at transparency and harmonization of the regulatory framework and less at moves that prohibit the growth of the industry.
What is changing now
| Key changes |
|---|
| ► The Commission is shifting its focus: the new goal is transparency and information exchange between platforms and authorities — not a ban on short-term rentals |
| ► A legislative initiative to harmonize the institutional framework at EU level is expected by the end of 2025, with each country retaining autonomy to make decisions based on the local market |
| ► Portugal reverses its policy: new framework allows up to 10% of housing stock for short-term rentals, after 2019 bans failed to keep prices down |
| ► Restrictive measures in Lisbon fail: house prices almost doubled, rents continued to rise and hotel prices rose by ~30% |
| ► Greece, on the other hand, is extending its bans: the ban on new AMA (Property Registration Number — the unique identification number for short-term accommodation) is already in force in Thessaloniki and an extension to Kypseli and Ampelokipoi is being considered |
| ► The Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA) is calling for a review of Greek policy, describing it as "self-destructive"for the economy |
Commission sources tell Euro2day.gr that the primary goal of the reforms announced in the Affordable Housing Plan is to increase transparency on issues such as information exchange, with a view to improving decision-making by the authorities.
In a second phase, by the end of the year, a legislative initiative is expected to harmonize the institutional framework of the member states, while it is emphasized that each country will make its own decisions based on local markets.
"The goal is not to ban short-term rentals everywhere. What we want is for authorities in each country to be able to make the best possible decision," say sources in Brussels.
In Portugal, the authorities concluded that restricting short-term rentals is not the solution to the housing crisis. Following the 2019 restrictions on short-term rentals, Lisbon is introducing a new framework that allows up to 10% of the housing stock to be made available for such use.
Data show that the measures did not improve housing affordability in the city, as house prices nearly doubled during this period, while rents continued to rise and hotel prices increased by about 30%.
POMIDA calls for policy review
Meanwhile, POMIDA is calling for a review of the government policy restricting the development of short-term rentals. It should be noted that the prime minister recently announced the extension of the ban to Thessaloniki, while its extension to new areas of Athens, such as Kypseli and Ambelokipi, is also being considered.
In statements to Euro2day.gr, POMIDA President Stratos Paradias refers to the need for a change in government policy.
"The fact that Portugal, a country with very intense intervention in its housing market, is backing down on restricting short-term rentals shows that our own policy is excessive and self-destructive in terms of our own economy," notes Mr. Paradias.
"The government must reconsider this whole unjustified attack, this whole effort to crack down on a profitable national activity," he adds.
Watch Now
| What to watch |
|---|
| ► Keep an eye on the Commission's legislative harmonization initiative, which is expected by the end of 2025 — the final text will show whether Brussels will give national authorities enough "leeway" to maintain or extend AMA-type bans |
| ► Assess any announcement by the Greek government to extend the ban to Kypseli and Ampelokipoi — if confirmed, it will immediately test whether Greek policy deviates from the European direction of transparency rather than prohibition |