Greece has reached a historic milestone in the short-term rental market, with the number of Airbnb-style properties climbing to a record-breaking 241,835 listings in June 2025—the highest figure ever recorded in a single month. The number of available beds also hit a new peak, surpassing 1.06 million, continuing a sharp upward trend that began in 2023 and accelerated in 2024.
This boom is part of a broader pattern: from April to June 2025, listings steadily increased by tens of thousands compared to the same months in 2024. Notably, the 1-million-bed threshold was crossed earlier this year—in April—well ahead of July, the traditional peak month.
Occupancy Rates Struggle to Keep Up
Despite the surge in supply, occupancy rates have failed to keep pace. In May 2025, occupancy dropped to 28%, down from 30% the year before—marking the first decline of the year. In June, occupancy remained flat at 40%, unchanged from June 2024.
Earlier in the year, there were some modest gains. January and February showed slight year-on-year increases in occupancy—14% and 15% respectively—but momentum tapered off by March and stayed subdued through the second quarter.
Average Stay Length Inching Up
While occupancy remains flat, the average length of stay has increased slightly. In May, guests stayed an average of 3.6 nights, up from 3.4 in May 2024. This figure rose again in June to 3.8 nights, a modest improvement that could help mitigate the effects of lower occupancy rates.
These figures mark a reversal of the declining trend seen in the first quarter, when average stays had dropped compared to early 2024.
Foreign Visitors Now Dominate the Market
One of the most striking developments in 2025 is the surge in foreign demand. In May and June, international visitors accounted for 92% of short-term rental stays, a figure only matched twice before—in June 2022 and September 2023 and 2024.
Back in January, foreign guests made up 60% of the market, rising steadily each month. By April, the figure had reached 86%, highlighting the sector’s growing reliance on international tourism.
A Mixed Outlook for 2025
The expansion of Greece’s short-term rental sector shows no sign of slowing down. However, the continued growth in listings without a corresponding rise in occupancy could signal saturation in some markets. The increasing dominance of foreign visitors also suggests that domestic travel may be playing a smaller role in sustaining this growth.
