Greece recorded one of the sharpest increases in short-term rentals among Mediterranean countries between 2018 and 2024, as demand from foreign tourists filled a long-standing gap in accommodation, according to consultancy AirDNA.
The number of short-term rental stays in Greece rose 123.1% during the period, outpacing rivals such as Croatia, Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain, the data showed. More than 80% of bookings came from international visitors.
Economists at Eurobank said the rapid growth in rental properties, combined with new hotel openings, has helped expand the country’s tourism infrastructure.
Tourism accounts for about a fifth of Greece’s economic output and remains a key driver of jobs and investment. The strong rise in demand for private rentals highlights the sector’s shift in recent years, with visitors increasingly opting for apartments, villas and homes rather than traditional hotels.