According to To Vima — Finance, the Greek government is developing incentives for affordable long-term rental buildings, while experts warn about heat, renovation-subsidy gaps and the need for a new Athens Master Plan.
According to To Vima — Finance, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed zoning and financial incentives for buildings constructed exclusively for affordable long-term rental. Government sources cited by the outlet say the framework under development could offer additional building rights, possibly one or two extra floors, along with tax breaks, favorable financing and faster permitting. In return, developers would have to offer affordable rents and keep the units on the long-term rental market for a set period. The framework is still being developed, and its final terms have not been published. The idea is contested. Athens Mayor Haris Doukas argues the housing crisis cannot be solved with “more concrete” and that the priority should be returning vacant homes to use. At the Prodexpo 2026 conference, Konstantinos Kartalis, professor of environmental and climate physics at the University of Athens, warned that taller buildings may worsen conditions in certain neighborhoods. He said vehicle traffic alone generates about 20% of the heat produced in the urban environment. He also called for a new Master Plan for Athens, since key factors have changed since the current one was adopted in 2012, including the new district at Hellinikon and the planned park on Mount Hymettus. The article also covers the “Exoikonomo” energy-efficiency renovation subsidies. Researchers at the conference argued the programs should address summer thermal comfort, indoor air quality and structural safety, not just winter heating. They noted the programs generally do not require a full structural assessment. The head of the Technical Chamber of Greece, Giorgos Stasinos, has urged linking energy upgrades to structural inspections. On the funding side, To Vima reports that Greece asked the European Commission on August 6 to extend its national escape clause to cover spending on energy resilience, and the EU Council approved the request days ago. According to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, new investments are expected to exceed 1 billion euros by 2028. This is a summary of a policy debate, not a confirmed change in the rules.