The New Era of Short-Term Rentals in Greece

Short Stay Athens Conference 2026 concluded with outstanding success, reaffirming its position as the official conference of Stama Greece and one of the most important events for the short-term rental industry in Greece. The conference took place on 19 and 20 February 2026 at the Dais Conference Centre in Athens, bringing together leading professionals, companies and decision-makers from across the sector.

At the heart of this year’s event were the latest regulatory developments in short-term rentals, market data analysis, and the digital transformation of the hospitality industry. Through insightful presentations, expert discussions and practical sessions, attendees gained valuable knowledge on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the Greek short-term rental market.

The conference served as a key meeting point for top speakers, delegates from across Greece, international platforms, and PropTech companies. Property managers, hosts and hospitality professionals had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss the market’s transition into a more mature phase, with a stronger focus on transparency, compliance and professionalism.

Stama Elite: High-Level Networking

For the first time this year, the opening day of the conference featured Stama Elite, an exclusive event created specifically for market decision-makers in the short-term rental sector. Designed to encourage meaningful interaction and strategic dialogue, Stama Elite introduced a premium networking format tailored to senior professionals, executives and industry leaders.

Participants were seated at tables of ten, with structured discussion time focused on the most important issues affecting the industry. Through two table rotations during the event, each delegate had the opportunity to meet a significantly wider range of professionals, creating the ideal environment for high-level networking, valuable business conversations and stronger industry connections.

**Innovation and Technology Tools

Exhibitors played a key role in the event, presenting leading-edge solutions that are transforming property management across the short-term rental sector.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore pricing automation systems, distribution tools, and new ways to enhance the guest experience. These digital solutions stood out as essential tools for every professional aiming to drive efficient growth and modernise their operations in the short-term rental sector.

The Market Under the Microscope: Data and Reality

The data presented by leading analytics companies confirmed the strong momentum of the Greek short-term rental market, which is now moving closer to becoming the sixth-largest short-term rental market in Europe.

With more than 130,000 active listings, supply reached a historic peak of approximately 160,000 listings during 2025, highlighting the continued growth and increasing importance of the sector within Greek tourism.

However, the intervention of AADE advisors Apostolos Boutos and Angelos Kourou offered a more accurate picture of the market’s true scale. According to the official figures presented, 116,636 AMA registration numbers were declared in 2025 with at least one booking. This provides a much clearer view of actual market activity and shows that the active market is significantly smaller than earlier estimates suggesting around one million beds.

Additional registry data also revealed that, since the launch of the platform, a total of 358,115 AMA numbers have been issued, corresponding to 238,600 ATAK property identification numbers.

The gap between issued AMA registrations and properties with real booking activity underlines the importance of transparency, accurate reporting and reliable market analysis. These are essential foundations for informed decision-making and for the strategic growth of professionals operating in the Greek short-term rental industry.

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International Demand & Forecasts for 2026: Trends and Destinations

International demand for Greece remains remarkably strong, with 90% of bookings coming from overseas markets. This continued reliance on international travellers highlights Greece’s strong position as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for short-term rentals and holiday accommodation.

During 2025, overnight stays in peak periods exceeded 2019 levels by more than one million, underlining the sustained preference of global travellers for Greek destinations.

These figures confirm not only the resilience of the market, but also the growing appeal of Greece among international visitors seeking high-quality accommodation, authentic experiences and well-managed holiday rentals.

This upward trend offers a strong outlook for 2026, with demand patterns suggesting continued growth across both established and emerging destinations in Greece.

Destination-by-Destination Analysis:

Crete and Corfu recorded strong growth in both occupancy rates and average daily rate (ADR), confirming their continued appeal among international travellers and their strong performance within the Greek short-term rental market.

Athens and Mykonos showed signs of market stabilisation. In particular, Mykonos experienced a notable price correction of around 15%, reflecting a shift towards more balanced pricing and changing market dynamics.

The United States and Germany continue to be the two main source markets for visitors to Greece, with the US market showing further growth and reinforcing its importance for the country’s tourism and short-term rental sectors.

Regulatory Measures and the Housing Crisis: The Real Impact

One of the most thought-provoking topics at the conference was the analysis of the impact of restrictive measures on short-term rentals, particularly in central Athens. The data presented pointed to a single-digit effect on overall market figures, challenging a number of widely circulated assumptions about the sector.

Data from Central Athens

The introduction of restrictions led to a decline of around 2,500 active AMA registration numbers, representing a decrease of approximately 8%. In the three central municipal districts of Athens, the number of active short-term rental properties fell from 29,500 to 27,000.

Short-Term Rentals and Housing Prices

According to representatives from the real estate market, restrictions on short-term rentals did not have the expected impact on property prices. The analysis presented at the conference suggested that the housing crisis in Greece is driven by much deeper structural factors, including:

Low construction activity over the past 20 years
The ageing of the existing building stock

These findings reinforced the view that the housing issue cannot be explained solely through the growth of short-term rentals, and that a more balanced, data-driven discussion is needed around regulation, housing supply and urban development.

From Real Estate to a Hospitality Asset Class

One of the central themes of Short Stay Athens Conference 2026 was the evolution of the short-term rental sector from a source of supplementary income into a distinct hospitality asset class. The market is no longer defined simply by renting out a space, but by creating value through strategic management, branding and a more professional investment approach.

Repositioning Strategy and Professional Management

Active management has become a key driver of added value in the short-term rental sector. Higher returns are increasingly created through targeted renovations, asset upgrades and the strategic repositioning of properties within the market.

At the same time, data-driven pricing is now considered an essential tool for maximising performance. By using market data and dynamic pricing strategies, property managers and operators can respond more effectively to demand trends, improve occupancy and increase overall revenue.

Another major point of differentiation is the guest experience. A stronger focus on service quality, thoughtful design and memorable stays allows professionals to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Delivering unique and well-curated experiences is no longer optional, but a core part of building a successful and sustainable short-term rental business.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Digital Transformation of Hospitality

The second day of the conference was dedicated to the transformation that technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are bringing to the hospitality industry and the short-term rental sector.

Innovative solutions were presented across the entire value chain, giving property managers and hospitality professionals the tools they need to drive full professionalisation, improve performance and build more scalable operations.

The Pillars of Technological Advancement

Pricing Automation: Automated dynamic pricing systems are now essential for maximising revenue, adapting to market demand and improving overall profitability.
Guest Communication and Experience: The use of AI-powered tools enables faster, more personalised communication with guests, helping operators deliver better service and strengthen guest satisfaction.
Operational Excellence: Digital tools are playing a key role in optimising daily operations, reducing manual workload and lowering operational costs across property management businesses.
Distribution Strategies: Smarter distribution across multiple booking channels allows professionals to increase visibility, improve efficiency and reach the right audiences more effectively.

The Next Five Years: AI at Every Level

Leading technology companies shared a common view that the next five years will be defined by the widespread integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across every area of the short-term rental industry.

The goal of this technological transition is clear:

A significant reduction in operational costs
A meaningful upgrade in the guest experience
Higher revenue per booking through smarter services, automation and strategic partnerships

As AI continues to reshape hospitality, it is expected to become a core part of how short-term rental businesses operate, compete and grow in a more demanding and data-driven market.

Conclusions: A Conference of Strategic Dialogue for Hospitality

Short Stay Athens Conference 2026 reaffirmed its leading role as the main reference point for the short-term rental industry in Greece. The event successfully brought together market data, public policy and modern business strategies, creating a meaningful platform for discussion around the future of hospitality and property management.

Key Takeaways from the Conference

Market Maturity: The sector is entering a more stable phase, supported by strong and sustainable demand from both domestic and international markets.
Regulatory Framework: The latest regulations are having a measurable impact, but not one that alters the overall momentum and long-term growth prospects of the industry.
The Three Pillars of Future Success: The next phase of growth will be shaped by the adoption of technology, the continuous improvement of product quality, and the growing need for professional management across the short-term rental market.

These conclusions confirmed that the future of short-term rentals in Greece will depend on a more data-driven, transparent and professionally managed model, aligned with the wider transformation of the hospitality sector.

A New Era for Stama Greece

The conference concluded with the Association’s General Assembly and the election of a new Board of Directors. The appointment of the new Board marks a new phase of development for the sector and a stronger institutional representation of the industry in Greece and abroad.