Greece’s rental shortage deepens as four tenants compete for each available home

Greece’s rental shortage is becoming measurable as a mismatch between the number of homes offered and the number of households chasing them. Spitogatos data reported by Kathimerini show an average 2.41 expressions of interest and 23.38 unique searches for each rental listing. The portal’s chief executive says the practical level of competition sits between those measures, at roughly four potential tenants for every available home, meaning demand is about 380% of supply. The pressure is strongest in the affordable segment. In Athens’ northern suburbs, homes advertised at up to €600 a month can attract 21.1 expressions of interest and about 282 searches per listing. Overall housing demand for buying and renting has increased 75.5% since 2020. For investors, this does not mean every rental automatically delivers a high return: entry price, vacancy, regulation and operating costs still matter. But it does show why national rent averages can understate the competition faced by households seeking lower-priced homes.