Athens court bans Airbnb-style rentals in apartment building over residential rules
by Athens Bureau · Greek City TimesA court in Athens has ruled that an apartment cannot be used for short-term tourist accommodation after finding that the building’s regulations permit properties to be used solely as private residences.
The decision by the Single-Member Court of First Instance of Athens is expected to fuel the ongoing debate over Airbnb-style rentals in Greece, particularly in apartment buildings where permanent residents have raised concerns about the impact of frequent tourist turnover.
The case was brought by the building’s manager, who argued that the property’s use as a short-term rental breached the building’s regulations. The court agreed, finding that the regulations are legally binding on all co-owners and effectively serve as the governing law of the building.
The dispute arose after a company began renting the apartment to tourists through short-term rental platforms during the summer of 2025. Residents complained that the constant flow of visitors created repeated disturbances, including excessive noise during designated quiet hours, increased wear and tear on shared areas, and security concerns caused by unfamiliar people regularly entering the building.
Although the building’s regulations were drafted long before the rise of short-term rental platforms and do not explicitly mention Airbnb-style accommodation, the court ruled that their prohibition on hotel use and activities causing overcrowding or disruption also extends to tourist rentals. The judge found that such use was inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the building’s rules.
The company was ordered to immediately cease operating the apartment as a commercial short-term rental, with financial penalties to apply if it fails to comply with the ruling.
The decision comes as Greece continues to grapple with the rapid growth of short-term rental accommodation and its impact on housing availability and residential communities. It also precedes a planned overhaul of the country’s property ownership legislation, which has remained largely unchanged since 1929. A special legislative committee is expected to begin work this month, with new legislation targeted for adoption in 2026.
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