A new report by the Greek government’s independent authority for public revenue (AADE) has confirmed that 1,439 short-term rental properties (such as Airbnbs) are now legally registered on the North Aegean island of Thassos. However, the total number is likely to be higher when illegal rental properties are included.

This major change to the tourist accommodation market has had a dramatic effect on Greece, especially on the Greek islands. The rapid proliferation of short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb on the Greek islands has created major socio-economic and infrastructural crises. The main impacts include severe housing shortages for locals, inflated rents, the erosion of community identity, and severe strain on island utilities like water and electricity.