Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Greece Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Greece Property Pack
This article breaks down the current rent prices across Greece, from studios to two-bedroom apartments, with real numbers you can use.
We update this blog post regularly so you always have the freshest rental data for Greece in 2026.
Whether you're moving to Athens, Thessaloniki, or a quieter Greek town, you'll find what typical tenants pay right now.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Greece.
Insights
- Greece rents have jumped about 8% year-over-year entering 2026, which is notably faster than the country's overall inflation rate and signals persistent housing pressure in urban centers.
- A 75 square meter apartment in Athens South now costs around 980 euros per month, nearly double what you'd pay for the same size in many mainland prefectures.
- Prime Athens neighborhoods like Vouliagmeni and Kolonaki see vacancy rates as low as 2% to 3%, meaning well-priced rentals disappear within weeks.
- Furnished apartments in central Athens command a 15% to 25% rent premium over unfurnished units, driven largely by expat and digital nomad demand.
- Landlords in Greece pay 15% tax on the first 12,000 euros of rental income, but the rate jumps to 35% on earnings between 12,001 and 35,000 euros.
- The typical ENFIA property tax for a mid-size Athens apartment ranges from 200 to 600 euros per year, depending heavily on the zone value assigned to your street.
- August through October is peak rental season in Greece, when students and professionals relocate, making it the best time for landlords to minimize vacancy.
- Installing air conditioning and efficient heating can boost monthly rent by 50 to 80 euros in Greece, where summers are hot and energy costs are a tenant priority.
- Greece remains about 70% owner-occupied, which means the rental market is relatively small and concentrated in cities, keeping urban demand consistently tight.
- Properties within walking distance of Athens Metro stations rent 10% to 15% faster than comparable units farther from transit.
What are typical rents in Greece as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Greece is around 255 euros (approximately 275 USD or 255 EUR), based on a typical 30 square meter unit at the national average of 8.50 euros per square meter.
That said, the realistic range for studio rents in Greece spans from about 180 euros per month in smaller mainland towns to 400 euros or more in central Athens, where the Spitogatos Property Index shows rates above 11 euros per square meter.
The main factors that cause studio rents to vary within Greece are location (Athens and Thessaloniki cost significantly more), building condition (renovated units with elevators command premiums), and proximity to Metro stations or university campuses.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Greece is around 425 euros (approximately 460 USD or 425 EUR), calculated using a typical 50 square meter unit at the national benchmark of 8.50 euros per square meter.
The realistic range for 1-bedroom rents in Greece runs from about 300 euros in smaller cities and rural prefectures to 600 euros or higher in Thessaloniki and central Athens neighborhoods.
In Greece, the cheapest 1-bedroom rents tend to be in mainland prefectures like Larissa or Patras, while the most expensive are found in Athens Center, Athens South (the Riviera), and Thessaloniki Municipality, where rates exceed 10 euros per square meter.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Greece is around 640 euros (approximately 690 USD or 640 EUR), based on a typical 75 square meter unit at 8.50 euros per square meter.
The realistic range for 2-bedroom rents in Greece stretches from about 450 euros in less expensive mainland areas to over 1,000 euros in premium Athens neighborhoods like Glyfada, Voula, and Kolonaki.
In Greece, the cheapest 2-bedroom rents are typically found in cities like Patras, Heraklion, and smaller Peloponnese towns, while the most expensive are concentrated in Athens South, Athens North (Kifisia, Psychiko), and central Thessaloniki.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Greece.
What's the average rent per square meter in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rent per square meter in Greece is approximately 8.50 euros (around 9.20 USD or 8.50 EUR) for long-term residential rentals at the national level.
The realistic range across different neighborhoods in Greece spans from about 6 euros per square meter in many mainland prefectures to 13 euros or more in Athens South and the Cyclades islands.
Compared to other major Greek cities, Athens Center (11.50 euros per square meter) and Thessaloniki (10.40 euros per square meter) are significantly more expensive than Patras or Heraklion, which typically fall in the 6 to 8 euro range.
In Greece, properties that push rent per square meter above average usually have recent renovations, efficient heating and cooling systems, elevators, parking spaces, and proximity to Metro stations or the seafront.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Greece in 2026?
As of early 2026, rents in Greece have increased by approximately 8% year-over-year, continuing the strong upward trend that characterized 2024 and 2025.
The main factors driving rent increases in Greece this year include limited new housing supply in Athens and Thessaloniki, strong demand from students and young professionals, growing expat and digital nomad interest, and persistent construction cost pressures.
This year's rent growth of around 8% in Greece is actually similar to the previous year's pace, when official ELSTAT data showed rent inflation running well above general consumer price inflation.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Greece in 2026?
As of early 2026, we project rent growth in Greece to range between 4% and 7% over the coming year, representing a modest slowdown from the 8% pace seen in 2025.
The key factors likely to influence rent growth in Greece include continued supply constraints in central Athens and Thessaloniki, steady demand from universities and employers concentrated in major cities, and an affordability ceiling as wage growth lags behind rent increases.
In Greece, the neighborhoods expected to see the strongest rent growth are transit-connected areas in Athens (near Metro Line 2 and 3), the Athens Riviera (Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni), and central Thessaloniki near the university and business districts.
The main risks that could cause rent growth in Greece to differ from projections include economic slowdowns affecting tourism or foreign investment, unexpected new housing supply, or changes to short-term rental regulations that push more units into the long-term market.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Greece. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Greece as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest average rents in Greece are Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera (around 15 to 18 euros per square meter, or 1,100 to 1,350 euros monthly for a 75 square meter apartment), Kolonaki in central Athens (14 to 17 euros per square meter), and Glyfada (13 to 15 euros per square meter).
These neighborhoods command premium rents in Greece because they offer seaside access or prime central locations, excellent dining and shopping, international schools nearby, and the prestige associated with Athens' most desirable addresses.
The typical tenants in these high-rent Greece neighborhoods are affluent Greek professionals, corporate executives, diplomats, and expats working for multinational companies or running their own businesses.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Greece.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Greece right now?
The top three neighborhoods where young professionals prefer to rent in Greece are Koukaki, Pangrati, and Gazi-Kerameikos in Athens, all of which offer walkability, nightlife, and good Metro access without the premium prices of Kolonaki or the Riviera.
Young professionals in these Greece neighborhoods typically pay between 400 and 700 euros per month (430 to 760 USD) for a 1-bedroom apartment, depending on the exact street and building condition.
What attracts young professionals to these neighborhoods in Greece is the combination of vibrant cafe culture, proximity to central Athens offices, affordable restaurants and bars, and relatively quick commutes via Metro or on foot.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Greece.
Where do families prefer to rent in Greece right now?
The top three neighborhoods where families prefer to rent in Greece are Chalandri, Agia Paraskevi, and Nea Smyrni, all in the Athens suburbs, offering more space, greenery, and family-oriented infrastructure than the city center.
Families in these Greece neighborhoods typically pay between 700 and 1,100 euros per month (760 to 1,190 USD) for a 2 to 3 bedroom apartment, with prices varying based on proximity to schools and parks.
What makes these neighborhoods attractive to families in Greece is the availability of larger apartments, good public and private schools, safer streets for children, parking availability, and access to playgrounds and green spaces.
Top-rated schools near these family-friendly neighborhoods in Greece include Costeas-Geitonas School in Pallini, Athens College in Psychiko, and several well-regarded public schools in the Chalandri and Agia Paraskevi areas.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Greece in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three areas near transit hubs or universities that rent fastest in Greece are Zografou (near the main university campus), Ampelokipoi (Metro Line 3), and the Rotunda/Kamara area in Thessaloniki near Aristotle University.
In these high-demand areas of Greece, well-priced rental properties typically stay listed for only 15 to 25 days, compared to 35 to 45 days in less connected neighborhoods.
Properties within walking distance of Athens Metro stations or Greek universities command a rent premium of about 50 to 100 euros per month (54 to 108 USD) compared to similar units further from transit, reflecting the strong demand from students and commuters.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Greece right now?
The top three neighborhoods most popular with expats in Greece are Kolonaki in central Athens, Glyfada on the Athens Riviera, and Kalamaria in Thessaloniki, all offering international amenities, English-speaking services, and proximity to international schools.
Expats in these Greece neighborhoods typically pay between 800 and 1,500 euros per month (865 to 1,620 USD) for furnished 1 to 2 bedroom apartments, with the Riviera areas at the higher end of that range.
What makes these neighborhoods attractive to expats in Greece is the concentration of international restaurants, proximity to embassies and multinational offices, reliable English-language services, and communities of fellow foreigners.
The nationalities most represented in these expat neighborhoods in Greece include Americans, British, Germans, French, and increasingly digital nomads from across Europe and North America drawn by Greece's visa programs.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Greece.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Greece
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Who rents, and what do tenants want in Greece right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Greece?
The top three tenant profiles that dominate the rental market in Greece are students (especially in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras), young professionals in their first jobs, and families relocating within Greek cities for work or schools.
In Greece, students represent roughly 30% to 35% of urban rental demand, young professionals account for about 25% to 30%, and families make up approximately 20% to 25%, with expats and retirees filling the remainder.
Students in Greece typically seek small studios or shared apartments near universities, young professionals look for 1-bedroom units in walkable neighborhoods, and families prioritize 2 to 3 bedroom apartments in suburban areas with good schools.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Greece.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Greece?
In Greece, approximately 35% to 40% of tenants prefer furnished rentals (mainly students, expats, and short-term professionals), while 60% to 65% prefer unfurnished units (mainly families and long-term local renters).
Furnished apartments in Greece typically command a rent premium of 80 to 150 euros per month (87 to 162 USD) compared to unfurnished equivalents, representing roughly a 15% to 25% increase depending on the quality of furnishings.
In Greece, the tenant profiles that tend to prefer furnished rentals are expats on work assignments, digital nomads, students from other cities, and professionals in temporary job placements who want to avoid the hassle of buying furniture.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Greece?
The top five amenities that increase rent the most in Greece are air conditioning and efficient heating, elevators in older buildings, private parking spaces, balconies or terraces, and recent renovations with modern kitchens and bathrooms.
In Greece, air conditioning adds roughly 50 to 80 euros per month (54 to 87 USD) to rent, elevators add 30 to 60 euros, parking adds 50 to 100 euros, a good balcony adds 40 to 70 euros, and a recent renovation can add 80 to 150 euros compared to dated units.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Greece, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Greece?
The top five renovations that get the best ROI for rental properties in Greece are bathroom modernization, kitchen upgrades, heat pump or efficient HVAC installation, double-glazed windows, and creating a small home office nook.
In Greece, a bathroom refresh costs 2,000 to 5,000 euros (2,160 to 5,400 USD) and can add 40 to 80 euros monthly rent, a kitchen upgrade costs 3,000 to 7,000 euros and adds 50 to 100 euros, while efficient HVAC installation costs 2,500 to 6,000 euros and adds 50 to 80 euros per month.
Renovations that tend to have poor ROI in Greece include luxury finishes that exceed neighborhood standards, swimming pools in non-premium areas, and overly personalized design choices that may not appeal to the typical Greek tenant.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Greece versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Greece as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for long-term residential rentals in Greece is approximately 3% to 5% in major urban areas, with central Athens and Thessaloniki at the tighter end of that range.
The realistic range of vacancy rates across different neighborhoods in Greece spans from about 2% to 3% in prime Athens locations (Kolonaki, the Riviera, central Thessaloniki) to 6% to 8% in less desirable suburbs or smaller cities with weaker demand.
The current vacancy rate in Greece is lower than the historical average, which hovered around 5% to 7% before the post-pandemic rental surge, reflecting sustained demand pressure that has absorbed much of the available stock.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Greece.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average number of days rentals stay listed in Greece is approximately 25 to 35 days for well-priced properties in Athens and Thessaloniki, though this varies significantly by neighborhood and price point.
The realistic range of days on market across different property types and neighborhoods in Greece runs from about 15 to 25 days for desirable units near Metro stations or universities to 45 to 90 days for overpriced or poorly maintained properties.
The current days-on-market figure in Greece is slightly shorter than one year ago, when average listing times ran closer to 30 to 40 days, reflecting the continued tightening of the urban rental market.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Greece?
The peak months for tenant demand in Greece are August, September, and October, when students return for the academic year, professionals relocate for new jobs, and families settle before the school year begins.
The specific factors driving seasonal demand patterns in Greece include the September university semester start, the post-summer return to cities from vacation homes, and the traditional timing of job changes after the August holiday period.
The months with the lowest tenant demand in Greece are December and January, when holidays slow down relocations and most people avoid the hassle of moving during the festive season and winter weather.
Buying real estate in Greece can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What will my monthly costs be in Greece as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical annual property tax (ENFIA) landlords should expect in Greece ranges from 200 to 600 euros (215 to 650 USD) for a mid-size apartment in Athens or Thessaloniki, depending on zone values and property characteristics.
The realistic low-to-high range of annual property taxes in Greece spans from about 60 to 250 euros for small apartments in lower-value zones to 600 to 1,200 euros or more for larger properties in prime Athens neighborhoods like Kolonaki or the Riviera.
Property taxes in Greece are calculated through ENFIA, which uses a formula based on the property's size, age, floor level, and most importantly the official "zone value" assigned to each street, with higher zone values in desirable areas leading to higher taxes.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Greece, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What maintenance budget per year is realistic in Greece right now?
A realistic annual maintenance budget for a typical rental property in Greece is approximately 750 to 1,100 euros (810 to 1,190 USD) for a 75 square meter apartment, based on a rule of thumb of 10 to 15 euros per square meter per year.
The realistic low-to-high range of annual maintenance costs in Greece runs from about 500 euros for newer buildings in good condition to 1,500 euros or more for older properties that need frequent repairs to plumbing, electrical systems, or facades.
Landlords in Greece typically set aside 8% to 12% of annual rental income for maintenance, which accounts for routine repairs, occasional appliance replacements, and contributions to building common charges (koinochrista).
What utilities do landlords often pay in Greece right now?
In Greece, landlords most commonly pay only property insurance (if they have it) and sometimes building common charges, while tenants are typically responsible for electricity, water, natural gas, internet, and their share of building maintenance fees.
When landlords do cover utilities in Greece (usually only in furnished short-term or expat rentals), the typical monthly cost is around 100 to 180 euros (108 to 195 USD) for electricity and 15 to 30 euros for water in a standard apartment.
The common practice in Greece for standard long-term leases is that tenants pay all variable utilities directly, with utility accounts transferred to their name, while landlords handle fixed property costs like ENFIA and insurance.
How is rental income taxed in Greece as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income in Greece is taxed at 15% on the first 12,000 euros, 35% on income between 12,001 and 35,000 euros, and 45% on rental income above 35,000 euros, making the effective rate depend heavily on total rental earnings.
The main deductions landlords can claim against rental income in Greece include repair and maintenance expenses (with receipts), property management fees, insurance premiums, and a portion of ENFIA property tax, though the rules are stricter than in some other countries.
A common tax mistake landlords in Greece should avoid is failing to declare all rental income, as the tax authority (AADE) increasingly cross-references bank deposits and utility bills to identify undeclared rentals, leading to back taxes and penalties.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Greece.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Greece compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Greece, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) | It's Greece's official statistics agency, so it's the gold standard for national inflation and housing data. | We used ELSTAT inflation releases to anchor official rent inflation trends in Greece. We then cross-checked our market estimates against that official direction. |
| Eurostat HICP | Eurostat is the EU's official statistical office, and HICP is the harmonized inflation framework used across Europe. | We used Eurostat's HICP rent component as a second official cross-check for rent inflation in Greece. We used it to avoid over-relying on private listing platforms. |
| Spitogatos Property Index (SPI) | It's the largest Greek property portal's published index with a transparent methodology based on asking prices. | We used SPI as our main rent level benchmark (euros per square meter by area) because official stats rarely publish market rent levels. We converted these into typical monthly rents using realistic apartment sizes. |
| Bank of Greece | It's Greece's central bank and the key public institution publishing housing market analysis and macro context. | We used Bank of Greece as the macro reality check for income, credit conditions, and housing supply constraints. We used it to ground the 2026 rent growth outlook. |
| ECB Data Portal (RESH) | It's the European Central Bank's official open-data platform for comparable housing indicators across Europe. | We used RESH metadata to frame structural tightness concepts in a comparable way. We triangulated it with census and market signals to estimate vacancy and demand tightness. |
| Eurostat Population and Housing Censuses | It's the official EU channel for census-based housing stock structure data. | We used it to anchor how many dwellings exist and what the tenure split looks like in Greece. We used it to avoid making vacancy claims without proper stock context. |
| Housing Europe | It's a well-known European housing federation that clearly cites Eurostat census tables for Greece. | We used it as a readable compiled view of Greece's dwelling and tenure structure while keeping Eurostat as the underlying source. We used it to quantify the owner-occupied versus rented split. |
| Greek Tax Authority (AADE) | It's the official tax administration, so it's the primary source for property and rental income taxation rules. | We used AADE as the anchor for how landlords are taxed and what gets declared. We cross-checked the practical brackets with Big-4 tax summaries for clarity. |
| Greek Government Portal (gov.gr) | It's Greece's official government services portal, which consolidates citizen-facing tax and property guidance. | We used it to explain ENFIA property tax at a high level in plain English. We then translated that into typical annual ranges using zone value logic and common apartment profiles. |
| PwC Tax Summaries Greece | It's a widely used, regularly maintained professional summary of Greece's tax rules. | We used PwC to confirm rental income tax brackets and common notes. We used it to explain landlord taxes simply without losing accuracy. |
| Deloitte Tax Guides | It's a major audit and tax firm with conservative, well-reviewed compliance summaries. | We used Deloitte to cross-check interpretation of what's taxed as rental income versus business income. We used it to reduce telephone game errors in tax explanations. |
| Greek Energy Regulator (RAAEY) | It's the national regulator for energy and water markets, so it's the right place for official utility market framing. | We used it to explain what parts of utilities are regulated versus market-priced in Greece. We used it to set realistic expectations about who pays what in typical leases. |
| EYDAP (Athens Water Utility) | It's the main water utility for Athens and Attica with published tariffs and billing rules. | We used it to ground water cost expectations for Athens-area rentals. We then generalized carefully for other Greek cities where utilities differ. |
| Noupou | It's a local news source that clearly attributes numbers to SPI and official data when discussing real estate. | We used it only to illustrate neighborhood examples and how Greeks talk about expensive areas. We did not use it as a primary data source. |
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Greece
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.