How do rental contracts and deposits work in Greece in 2026?

The written lease should identify parties, AFM numbers, address, rent, payment method, deposit, duration, and who pays which utilities. The landlord files a property rental information statement through AADE tools, including rent, dates, property identifiers, and related fields such as the electricity supply number and energy certificate when required. AADE guidance expects submission by the end of the month after the rental starts or changes.

You then accept the declaration with your myAADE credentials. Until acceptance, treat the address as unfinished for many filings: Register your address and Set up TAXISnet. AFM first: Get an AFM.

Engýisi (security deposit) is commonly one or two months’ rent in market practice, paid directly to the landlord. Greece does not run a UK-style national deposit protection scheme, so document the amount in the lease and AADE filing, take meter photos, and use a delivery-receipt protocol when offered. Expect the deposit back at the end if rent is clear and damage stays within normal wear.

For a tenant’s primary residence, Greek residential rules historically stretch protection toward a three-year horizon even when parties write a shorter term; holiday and second-home lets follow different flexibility. Confirm your case with a Greek lawyer if the term or early-exit clause looks odd. How to hunt and view: How to rent a home. Price bands: How much is rent.

Pay rent by bank transfer to the landlord’s stated IBAN when required, and keep receipts. Cash-only landlords make deposit disputes harder. Agency fees, when charged, should appear in writing before you pay. Exit notice, inventory, and who repaints should sit in the contract rather than in a farewell WhatsApp.

Scam patterns that skip AADE or demand deposit before viewing: Avoid rental scams.