What it shows the Spitogatos Price Index for the period 2011-2020

The difficult period of the memorandum from 2010 to 2018 changed the Greek economy, reduced disposable income, skyrocketed non-performing loans and made bank lending a pie in the sky for the majority of households. This also affected the real estate market, which, as a sector of the economy, could not be an exception. The biggest change was the shift to rent since the majority is now unable to buy a house, while those who have the means turn mainly to older properties as buying a newly built house has become difficult.

All the above resulted in increase in rents and substantial decrease in selling prices. This is reflected in the Spitogatos network research and in the trend of the SPI (Spitogatos Property Index) for the period 2011-2020. During this period, rents increased by 11.1%, while selling prices fell by 30%.

The Airbnb “shield”

We find exceptions to this overall development in areas with short-term leases or included in the Golden Visa program. With the most common example being the “capital of Airbnb” in Athens, Koukaki. In this area, rental prices, from 2011 until today, recorded an increase of 48.6% at 10 euros / sq.m., while the selling prices increased by 41.4% at 2,575 euros / sq.m. The highest increase in rental prices has been registered, however, in the area of Elliniko, where the average cost is currently at 12.5 euros / sq.m., 56.2% higher compared to 2011.

Important increases in rents have also been recorded in Glyfada with 40.4%, Maroussi with 33.3% and Alimos with 32.7%.

Commercial properties

In terms of commercial real estate properties, the Spitogatos survey reports that values have fallen by 41.6% and rents by 34.5%. However, this specific category of real estate marks a steady recovery from 2018 (in Athens and Salonica). In Athens rents have increased by 11.1% to date (average selling price 7.9 euros / sq. m.), in Salonica the increase reached 9% to 5.4 euros / sq.m.


Makis Theodoratos
Makis Theodoratos