Airbnb in apartment buildings: What applies now to owners and tenants – When can it be banned

A recent court decision in Athens has clarified the rules surrounding Airbnb rentals in apartment buildings, siding with residents seeking peaceful living.

The Monomeles Protodikeio of Athens ruled that an apartment owner must cease using their property for short-term rentals, as the building's charter explicitly forbids tourist exploitation. This landmark decision highlights the conflict between a property owner's right to generate income and other residents' right to quiet and safe living.

However, the ruling's impact is not universal. Its applicability hinges on the specific content of each building's regulations. Many older buildings lack explicit clauses addressing short-term rentals, making legal interpretations more complex and requiring individual court assessments.

To address these ambiguities, Greece's Ministry of Justice is drafting new legislation on horizontal and vertical property ownership, aiming to modernize regulations that largely date back to 1929. The proposed law, expected to be ready by autumn and enacted by early 2027, seeks to resolve long-standing issues like common area debt, property use changes, and disputes among co-owners.

In the meantime, building communities can amend their regulations with the required majority to clearly define operational frameworks for short-term rentals.