Greece’s New Six Hundred Euro Fee For Short-Term Rentals Sparks Fury From STAMA, Labeling It An Unjustifiable Attack On The Industry

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Greece is facing significant backlash from the short-term rental industry as the Association of Short-Term Property Rental Companies (STAMA Greece) strongly opposes the new regulation imposing a six hundred euro fee per property for rental companies. This fee, introduced under the draft law “National Customs Code and Other Provisions,” has been described by STAMA Greece as an unjustifiable burden on the industry, calling it a major injustice. The regulation has sparked outrage, with critics arguing that it unfairly targets short-term rental companies while disregarding the unique operational model of the sector, which differs significantly from traditional property management businesses.

The Association of Short-Term Property Rental Companies (STAMA Greece) has strongly criticized the new annual €600 fee being imposed on companies managing short-term rental properties. The fee, introduced under Article 248 of the draft law titled “National Customs Code and Other Provisions,” classifies short-term rental properties as “branches” and mandates that property management companies pay this fee for each property they manage.

This new regulation has sparked significant concern within the short-term rental sector, as it runs counter to a recent decision by the Council of State. The decision (Decision 602/2025), which was made by a majority vote (5-2), ruled to annul Circular E.2024/09-04-2024, effectively deeming the proposed fee unjustifiable. Although the decision is not yet final, it provides clear legal reasoning against the introduction of the fee. The draft law’s approach, according to critics, disregards not only legal precedent but also the actual operational model of short-term rentals.

Short-term rental properties, by their nature, are different from traditional hotels or businesses with physical branches. These properties do not have staff present on-site and are not engaged in offering additional services beyond the basic requirement of providing bedding. The absence of physical staff and on-site operations makes it clear that these accommodations should not be subject to the same type of fees that are applied to businesses that operate physical offices or service locations. The new regulation fails to account for the significant differences in how short-term rental businesses operate compared to traditional property management companies or real estate agencies.

The primary concern of STAMA Greece is the unfair and unequal treatment of short-term rental businesses within the property management market. Currently, no similar fees are being imposed on other companies managing properties, such as real estate agencies or building managers who oversee communal fees for shared buildings. These businesses, like short-term rental management companies, handle property operations but are not required to pay a separate fee for each property they manage. The imposition of the €600 fee on short-term rental companies seems to single them out, creating an unequal burden for those working within the short-term rental sector.

The new fee regulation also presents a broader issue regarding the way short-term rentals are perceived. Instead of recognizing short-term rentals as a modern, decentralized business model that operates independently from traditional property management, the draft law treats these businesses as a “tax target.” This perspective ignores the fundamental nature of the short-term rental industry, which is based on centralized digital platforms rather than physical branches or in-person services. Short-term rentals operate through online platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and others, where property owners list their homes, apartments, or rooms for rent on a temporary basis. These businesses are not structured in the same way as traditional property management companies, making the fee seem more like a punitive tax than a fair regulatory measure.

The fact that short-term rental companies are being treated differently from other property managers only adds to the perception that the sector is being unfairly targeted. This discrepancy in regulation creates a two-tiered system within the property management industry, where businesses that operate similarly in terms of property oversight are subjected to drastically different rules and financial burdens.

One of the key points that STAMA Greece emphasizes is the contradiction between the draft law and the legal precedent set by the Council of State’s decision. The introduction of this €600 fee not only challenges the legal precedent but also creates a systemic contradiction. According to the critics of the fee, it is not just an added tax burden; it fails to reflect the reality of how the short-term rental market operates.

For short-term rental companies, the fee represents a financial burden that could hurt their ability to compete with other property management models. If the law goes forward in its current form, it could have wider implications for the entire short-term rental industry, pushing many businesses to either raise their rates or limit their offerings to cover the new costs.

Moreover, the enforcement of this fee could make Greece less attractive to those wishing to enter or remain in the short-term rental market. By imposing such a fee, the government risks stifling the growth of an important sector of the tourism industry, particularly at a time when many countries are embracing the potential of short-term rentals as a significant economic contributor.

In light of the legal challenges and the nature of the fee, STAMA Greece is calling for the government to reconsider the regulation and amend the draft law. There is still time for logic and fairness to prevail, allowing for a more balanced and reasonable approach to regulating the short-term rental market.

The introduction of the €600 fee is not just a financial burden for short-term rental businesses; it also represents a step backward in how Greece approaches the future of tourism. The country’s tourism industry has long relied on innovation and adaptation to remain competitive, and by implementing such a fee, the government risks undermining the very models that have contributed to the sector’s success.

Greece is facing intense opposition from STAMA Greece over the new six hundred euro fee imposed on short-term rental companies. The association has condemned the fee as a major injustice, unfairly burdening the industry.

Ultimately, the new fee represents a systemic contradiction, disregarding both legal precedent and the operational reality of the short-term rental sector. By treating short-term rentals as a “tax target” rather than a modern business model, Greece risks alienating an important part of its tourism sector. With legal precedents in place and a clear operational structure for short-term rentals, it’s crucial that the government reevaluates this fee and ensures a fair, consistent, and sustainable regulatory framework for the industry moving forward.