Court Ruling Restricts Airbnb Operations in Apartment Buildings in Greece
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesA significant court decision in Athens has imposed new restrictions on the operation of short-term rentals such as Airbnb in apartment buildings, ruling that such activity disrupts the smooth functioning of the property.
In Decision No. 2937/2026, the Single-Member Court of First Instance of Athens ordered the owner company to cease and refrain from using the apartment for short-term professional rentals and to limit its use to residential purposes only.
Failure to comply will result in a fine of €1,000 per violation.
The court concluded that operating the apartment as an Airbnb had disturbed the peace and daily tranquillity of co-owners and affected the overall operation of the building.
According to the building’s regulations, apartments are intended for residential use only and may not be used as hotels or hotel-type facilities, or for services that cause a large number of visitors or unusual noise.
The ruling noted that the apartment was advertised on short-term rental platforms, with visitors typically being foreigners staying for a few days for vacation purposes. This led to increased activity, including movement of luggage, furniture rearrangement, and use of common areas such as the garden.
The court rejected the company’s claims that visitors had been informed about quiet hours and restrictions on gatherings.
This decision comes at a time when the phenomenon of “apartment-hotels” has grown significantly across Greece. It also precedes a major reform of the legal framework governing apartment buildings, which has remained largely unchanged since 1929.
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