Rents continue to rise unabated, creating intense pressure for thousands of households across Greece. In recent years, renting has proven to be an extremely costly necessity for many.
A study by diaNEOsis notes that renters face the greatest strain, as they spend a much larger share of their income on housing. Six out of ten renting households spend more than 40% of their income on housing, compared with homeowners—even compared with those repaying a mortgage.
However, mortgage holders also appear to be under pressure. Around half of households with a mortgage spend more than 40% of their disposable income on housing. Although homeowners with mortgages make up a relatively small share of the population—about 7%—their financial burden is particularly heavy.
This increase—reaching nearly 35% according to the Spitogatos.gr SPI price index—has reshaped the housing market and placed a significant burden on renters, who see their disposable income shrinking despite improvements in key economic indicators.
The average asking rent has risen to €10.23 per sq. m., from €7.57 per sq. m. in the third quarter of 2020, making the search for affordable housing increasingly difficult.
The Southern Suburbs of Athens top the list of the most expensive areas in the country, with an average asking rent of €13.1 per sq. m., or €1,310 for a 100 sq. m. home.
They are followed by the Cyclades (which lost first place in Q2 2025), the Northern Suburbs of Athens, central Athens, and Piraeus, where the average asking rent stands at €10.4 per sq. m. (€1,040 for 100 sq. m.).
The top five most expensive areas for renting in Attica are Vouliagmeni and Voula in the Southern Suburbs, Kolonaki–Lycabettus in central Athens, Filothei, and Palaio Psychiko, with average asking rents of €16.3 per sq. m.
