Ministry of Tourism Bill passed by Greek Parliament

Ministry of Tourism Bill Passed | Airbnb Standards Effective October 1

The Ministry of Tourism’s draft law “Establishment of specifications for short-term rental properties, environmental classification of accommodations, simplification of the process of establishing tourism businesses and more specific provisions for controlling and strengthening the tourism infrastructure framework” was passed by the Parliament.

The Ministry of Tourism’s draft law comes to support the broader strategic planning for sustainable and balanced tourism development, the qualitative upgrading of the sector, and the enrichment and diversification of Greece’s tourism offering, stated the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, in her speech to the Plenary of the Parliament during the vote on the principle, articles and the entire draft law.

The minister stated that through the provisions, important issues for the tourism market are resolved and a more favorable framework for investments is formed, bases are created to shape a strongly competitive and sustainable future for tourism in our country, special forms of tourism are strengthened and conditions are created for the extension of the tourist season and balanced tourism development and a strong dynamic for development is created for the benefit of the many as through the bill the benefit from tourism will be maximized and will return fairly to society, to the citizens of the country.

In the bill:

• Regulations are introduced for short-term leases. Minimum operational specifications are established as well as corresponding safety specifications for residents of properties rented for the short term.
  It is stipulated that the properties must be main use areas based on the New Building Regulation, have natural lighting, ventilation & air conditioning as well as insurance against civil liability. At the same time, the framework for monitoring compliance with these specifications is being established by the services of the Ministry of Tourism and potentially by mixed control teams with employees of the A.A.D.E. In order to adapt the market to these new specifications that are being established, the entry into force of the provisions for short-term rental of real estate will begin on October 1, 2025.
• An innovative system for classifying hotels and optionally non-main hotel accommodations is being established, based on their environmental performance. It is being introduced following an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism. This expresses in practice our will to integrate the principles of sustainability and national and European climate goals. Secondary legislation follows with a Joint Ministerial Decree, which determines the number of categories, the technical and operational specifications of valid hotel accommodations, the method and procedure for classifying them into categories, and the scoring criteria. Secondary legislation does not come to Parliament but is made in consultation with the bodies and with the consent of the State's institutional advisors, namely the Council of Tourism and the Council of Tourism
• It is envisaged to simplify the procedures relating to the licensing of tourism businesses, specifically car and light motor vehicle rental businesses as well as freight brokerage offices. These businesses are also included in the operation notification regime. The aim is to accelerate the procedures for starting operations of these businesses and to remove obstacles to entrepreneurship. At the same time, the services of the Ministry of Tourism will be relieved of a significant volume of bureaucratic procedures.
• Zoning issues are being regulated for projects in the sea and land zones of tourist ports. We aim to clarify the licensing framework for facilities that serve accessibility and multifunctionality in tourist ports, necessary for upgrading the operation of ports and responding to modern market needs. If any new projects are carried out within the existing sea and land zone, they should not require zoning modifications.
• With a view to saving water resources, the institutional framework is being regulated to allow the execution of seawater pumping and pumping projects for the swimming pools of legally operating hotel accommodations. This is a solution that is also being promoted in other countries that are facing similar problems related to the climate crisis.
• Regulations are introduced for Spas, it is proposed to amend the definition and lift the obligation to use natural thermal resources in them. The definition is harmonized with the trend to expand the types of services that are allowed to be provided by spas, which are not necessarily of a thermal nature but may include wellness services.

• The institutional framework for Co-Owned Hotels is being completed, a product that can contribute to the strengthening of tourism in cities and urban tourist destinations.

• The possibility of public sector employees staying in hotel staff rooms is being provided for in order to partially address the issue of housing public sector personnel, especially in areas with intense tourist activity with a lack of available and affordable housing.

• Emphasis is placed on the promotion of religious and pilgrimage tourism, as an important part of our country's tourism offer. The Museum of Byzantine Culture is being assigned the coordinating role for the cultural route of the steps of the Apostle Paul.

• A set of legislative initiatives and actions is being adopted to strengthen mountain tourism, which is part of the strategic objectives of the ministry for the diffusion of tourism in space and time, within the framework of the overall strategy for sustainable and qualitative development. A new tourism product called a sustainable mountain tourism destination is being created. In particular, the aim is to transform Ski Resorts into special tourist infrastructures with 12-month operation, with the possibility of offering other activities beyond skiing. A ministerial decision that is being launched paves the way for the development of mountain refuges and certain categories of main tourist accommodation within the area of ​​ski resorts, in distinct locations, in accordance with the applicable general and special provisions for the protection of forest areas and special protection zones.

  The competitiveness of mountain destinations is being strengthened

  We are strengthening the competitiveness of mountain destinations and are moving forward with a coherent policy for the development of mountain tourism. The ministry has already disbursed approximately 30 million euros of Recovery Fund resources to three of the five ski resorts for which funding has been approved for the upgrade and modernization of their infrastructure. Another 20 million euros will be disbursed immediately for 2 more ski resorts, while approximately 5.5 million euros are also being channeled from Recovery Fund resources for actions to promote and promote mountain tourism through the creation of a special digital platform as well as for the upgrade of mountain refuge facilities.

  With the third cycle of the Tourism for All program, which concerns the stimulation of domestic tourism, we are further and more targeted strengthening the promotion of the mountainous regions of the country.

  Enhanced amounts are also foreseen for those who will be drawn who choose to take a vacation in the off-season and winter months.

  The minister emphasized: “The successful course of tourism highlights the need to remain competitive, the need to continue reforms, for digital transition and the lifting of administrative burdens. To emphasize innovation, to respond to modern challenges, such as the intensifying impacts of the climate crisis, the environmental footprint of increasing tourism activity, but also the changes in the modern tourism environment shaped by demographic developments, new trends in tourism supply and demand, the growing awareness of travelers regarding sustainable management practices and, of course, developments in digital technology."

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