Alexis Tsipras proposes new housing reforms in Greece

Greek opposition leader Alexis Tsipras answered citizens’ questions during the nationwide “Now We Talk” events, focusing on the country’s acute housing crisis. He noted that Greece has the highest housing‑cost‑to‑income ratio in the EU – about 35 % of average earnings – and that property prices have risen 87 % since 2017.

Tsipras outlined a series of policy proposals: creation of a non‑profit public agency to manage housing loans, establishment of a public real‑estate body to convert vacant properties into affordable homes, tax incentives to keep empty dwellings on the market, and a steep tax on transfers of property to non‑EU companies. He also called for stricter limits on short‑term rentals such as Airbnb in high‑demand areas and the abolition of the Golden Visa programme. The plan frames housing as a right rather than a privilege.