Athens Court Bars Airbnb Rentals in Apartment Building Over Building Rules

The Single‑Member Court of First Instance in Athens ruled that an apartment cannot be used for short‑term tourist accommodation because the building’s regulations require the units to be used solely as private residences. The court accepted protective measures filed by the building’s manager, ordered the rental company to stop operating the property as an Airbnb‑style short‑term rental and imposed financial penalties for any future breach. The judgment stresses that a building’s regulation has the force of law for all co‑owners and can be enforced when short‑term rentals cause noise, excessive wear of common areas or security problems. The decision, reported by Greek, Albanian, English, German and Danish media, adds to the ongoing debate over the rapid growth of short‑term rentals in Greece and coincides with a planned overhaul of the country’s property‑ownership legislation, which dates from 1929. A special legislative committee is set to begin work in July, with new laws expected to be adopted in 2026.