Greece considers Build to Rent model to address housing crisis

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed a 'Build to Rent' model to combat the housing crisis. The plan involves providing urban planning and financial incentives for buildings constructed specifically for long-term rental rather than individual sale.

Proposed incentives include additional building rights—potentially adding one or two extra floors—tax exemptions, favorable financing, and expedited licensing. In exchange, these properties must be offered at affordable rents and remain available for long-term lease for a set period. The framework is currently being developed, taking into account previous Council of State rulings regarding building bonuses.

Environmental concerns have been raised regarding this approach. Konstantinos Kartalis, a professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, warned that cities must be designed for current climate realities, noting that increasing building heights could impact urban resilience and local conditions.