As Europe deals with the challenges of overtourism, several nations are implementing measures to manage the influx of visitors, safeguard local communities, and maintain their infrastructure. Athens, Greece, is weighing stricter regulations due to escalating housing prices and a surge in tourists, according to Euronews.
Athens’ Mayor Haris Doukas mentioned this week that the city might impose limits on the number of new hotels to address these tourism-related challenges. He stated, “We really need to look at whether we need more hotels and how many and where we need them.” Doukas emphasized the importance of understanding the balance between tourism and the needs of residents, asserting, “We must not become Barcelona.”
To that end, Athens has already paused new Airbnb-like licenses in central neighborhoods such as Koukaki, Plaka, and Kolonaki. Authorities are presently checking properties to ensure they meet existing regulations. Starting October 1, 2025, the city plans to enforce heavy fines on short-term rentals that do not pass inspections, which could indirectly affect travelers if their bookings become invalid.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalozianni discussed the issue, stating that certain properties, particularly basement rentals, will be disallowed moving forward. “Our goal is not just to break records every year, but to ensure sustainable and high-quality development of Greek tourism,” she added.
Additionally, there are now daily limits of 20,000 visitors to the Acropolis, enforced by advance booking and timed entry slots. While many government officials support regulations on short-term rentals, some Airbnb hosts are threatening to close their properties in protest. Early reports suggest that these measures may be having an impact, with a slight decline in short-term rentals noted in Athens.
Andreas Chiu, president of the Panhellenic Association of Real Estate Managers, pointed out that the new taxes and regulations are making it increasingly difficult to compete with neighboring countries. He mentioned that while reasonable regulation is welcomed, the current proposals may be excessive.
Despite the rise in vacation rentals driving growth in Greece’s tourism industry, they are also contributing to increasing rents and financial strain on households. Interestingly, Greece reached a record high in tourism last year, with 37.98 million visitors, which is a 5.6% increase compared to the previous year.
As Mayor Doukas noted, “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel.” He suggested a need to consider the long-term vision of Athens and what the city wants to become in the coming years.
