Long-term renting in Athens: a guide for Israelis relocating (2026)

Rent first, buy later

Most Israelis moving to Athens start by renting. It gives time to get to know neighbourhoods, schools and transport before deciding whether and where to buy. This guide explains how to rent long-term in Athens, what it costs, and what to check in the lease. The complete guide to relocating to Greece with a family.

What does rent cost in Athens?

Averages per flat (Numbeo, September 2026):

By neighbourhood (asking rent in € per m² a month, Indomio, August 2026):

These are asking prices, and the 70 m² figure is only an illustration. According to Spitogatos, asking rents in Athens rose 4.5% in a year (Q2 2026). Rent and price per m² in every neighbourhood, in the Yavanet Index · Cost of living: Athens vs Tel Aviv.

Where to look for a flat to rent in Athens

• Portals: Spitogatos, xe.gr and Indomio are the big sites, in Greek and English.
• Agents: an agent can save time, especially from abroad. If you rent through an agent, you may pay them a fee. Agree the amount in advance and in writing.
• Israeli groups in Greece: a good way to hear about flats and neighbourhoods, but check every offer like any other listing.
• Viewing before paying: never pay a deposit on a flat that has not been seen, by you or someone you trust.

Which documents do you need to rent in Greece?

• Passport (or EU identity card).
• Greek tax number (ΑΦΜ): required, because the lease is registered with the tax authority in your name. You can get it remotely from Israel. How to get a tax number and open a bank account.
• Proof of income: many landlords ask for payslips, an employment contract or bank statements.
• Residence status: anyone moving to Greece needs legal status (for example a digital nomad visa, a work permit or an EU passport). Relocation guide.

The lease: what to know

• At least 3 years: a residential lease in Greece runs at least 3 years by law, even if the contract says less. This protects the tenant: the landlord cannot end it early because they want to live there themselves.
• Leaving early: a tenant who leaves early without a serious reason may have to compensate the landlord. If you might leave early, write clear exit terms (notice and compensation) into the lease.
• Rent increases: rent is freely agreed. If the lease does not say how it is adjusted, the annual adjustment is 75% of the consumer price index.
• Deposit: one or two months' rent is customary. It is returned at the end of the lease after the flat is checked. Photograph the flat when you move in.
• Who fixes what: the landlord is responsible for major structural repairs and keeping the flat fit to live in. Agree in the lease who pays the building charges (κοινόχρηστα) and shared heating.
• Language: the lease is usually in Greek. Ask for a translation, or have a lawyer review it.

Registering the lease with the tax authority (AADE)

• The landlord registers the lease on the tax authority's site (TAXISnet) within 30 days of the start.
• You confirm the registration online, with your tax number and password.
• Pay rent by bank transfer, so there is a full record.
• The registered lease also matters for registering as a resident, opening accounts and claiming the rent refund.

Utilities in your name

Electricity, water and internet are usually transferred to the tenant. You will need the registered lease and your tax number. About €190 a month for utilities in an 85 m² flat is the Numbeo average, but it depends heavily on heating and air conditioning.

The rent refund: one month back each year

If you file a Greek tax return and meet the conditions, you can get one month's rent back each year:

• Income limit: up to €25,000 a year for a single person, €35,000 for a couple, plus €5,000 per child (after the expansion under Law 5313/2026). There is also a cap on the value of property you own.
• Amount: one month's rent, up to €800 a year, plus €50 per child.
• Condition: the lease is registered with the tax authority, and its registration number appears on your tax return.
• When: paid once a year, by the end of November, to the bank account registered with the tax authority.

Common mistakes Israelis make renting in Athens

• Searching without a tax number: without an ΑΦΜ the lease cannot be registered, and many landlords will not sign.
• Signing a Greek lease without understanding it, especially the early-exit clause.
• Paying in cash: without a bank transfer there is no proof of payment.
• Choosing a neighbourhood only by price: check distance to work, school and the metro.
• Not photographing the flat on move-in, and then arguing about the deposit on move-out.

And if you decide to buy?

After a year or two in Athens, many Israelis decide to buy. Guide to buying property in Greece · Greece property prices 2026 · Purchase cost calculator · Moving to Greece checklist. Looking for a flat to rent? Contact us.

FAQ

How much does it cost to rent a flat in Athens?

According to Numbeo (September 2026), a one-bedroom flat in central Athens costs about €653 a month on average, and a three-bedroom flat in the centre about €1,167. According to Indomio, average asking rent in Attica is about €12.49/m².

How long is a lease in Greece?

At least 3 years by law, even if the lease says less. A longer term can be agreed.

Do I need a Greek tax number to rent a flat?

Yes, in practice. The lease is registered with the tax authority, and you confirm it with your tax number. You can get one remotely.

How much deposit is paid on a flat in Athens?

One or two months' rent is customary. It is returned at the end of the lease if the flat is in good condition.

Can I leave a rented flat in Greece before the lease ends?

A tenant who leaves early without a serious reason may have to compensate the landlord. That is why clear early-exit terms in the lease are important.

Can the landlord raise the rent?

Only as the lease says. If the lease does not say how rent is adjusted, the annual adjustment is 75% of the consumer price index.

Who is entitled to the rent refund in Greece?

Those who file a Greek tax return, with income up to €25,000 for a single person or €35,000 for a couple (plus €5,000 per child), and a registered lease. The refund is one month's rent, up to €800, paid by the end of November.

This is general information, not legal advice. Before signing a lease, have a lawyer review it.