Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance has opened its draft omnibus bill for public consultation until 15 June 2026. The legislation bundles measures targeting housing affordability, household income support, private debt, energy policy, out-of-court settlement mechanisms, the operation of the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (EEEP), gambling regulation—and several salary and pension-related adjustments.
Rent Rebate: Higher Income Thresholds
The draft raises income limits for eligibility for the rent rebate scheme. The new thresholds are: €25,000 for single individuals; €35,000 for married couples or cohabiting partners; and €39,000 for single-parent families. Each dependent child adds €5,000 to the limit—whether for married/cohabiting or single-parent households. The rebate applies to rents paid from 2025 onward and will be disbursed starting in 2026.
In practice, the change broadens access to support, bringing more renting households within the safety net. A separate provision introduces a double-rent rebate for teachers, doctors, and nurses serving in regional areas—outside Attica (except the Islands Regional Unit) and outside the Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki. The benefit covers primary or secondary residences located where they work and is paid as a one-off lump sum by end-November each year, automatically—without application—based on data submitted to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
For the first implementation, rebates for rents paid in 2024 are scheduled to be paid within three months of the law entering into force. The total annual amount—including both the general rent rebate and the special allowance for educators and health professionals—cannot exceed €1,600, plus €100 per dependent child.
Airbnb Restrictions Extended to Thessaloniki
Following Athens’ model, the draft imposes a temporary ban on new registrations in the Short-Term Accommodation Registry for properties located in Thessaloniki’s First Municipal Community—effective from 1 July to 31 December 2026.
Violators face fines equal to 50% of their short-term rental income earned after 1 July 2026 and up to the date of inspection—with a minimum penalty of €20,000. A second violation within the same tax year triggers a minimum fine of €40,000.
Additionally, if a property located in a restricted area is transferred—even via inheritance—it is automatically removed from the Short-Term Accommodation Registry and cannot be re-registered for the duration of the restriction.
Higher Tax on Online Gambling Profits
The draft also proposes increased taxation on profits from online gambling platforms operating in Greece—a move aligned with broader efforts to regulate the digital gaming sector and strengthen fiscal oversight.