Opening a small hotel or rented rooms in Greece in 2026: notification instead of the Special Operating Licence, MHTE number and how it differs from short-term rental (AMA)

Updated: 10 November 2026

Planning to open a small hotel or rented rooms/apartments in Greece? We read law 4276/2014, the Greek government's official procedure pages (mitos.gov.gr, eugo.gov.gr), article 111 of law 4446/2016 and the AADE tax authority's FAQ (links at the end). Where we could not confirm something, we say so. This is not legal advice: check with your accountant or adviser.

Main and non-main accommodation

Law 4276/2014 (article 1(2)) splits tourist accommodation into two groups:

Main hotel accommodation: among others, hotels, organised campsites and youth hostels.
Non-main: tourist furnished villas, tourist furnished residences and rented furnished rooms/apartments (enoikiazomena epiplomena domatia-diamerismata).
Your group decides the procedure, the fees and the classification.

The Special Operating Licence was replaced

In the original 2014 text, accommodation could only operate after obtaining a Special Operating Licence (Eidiko Sima Leitourgias, ESL). Today:

The government's official procedure pages state that the notification of operation has replaced the Special Operating Licence.
Legal basis: law 4276/2014, law 4442/2016 and Joint Ministerial Decision 11882/2025 (Government Gazette B 3340/2025), which sets the procedure through the OPS-ADE system.
Accommodation that already holds an ESL is still referred to in the law: it displays its ESL number.

How the notification works

Online only, with TAXISnet credentials, through Open Business (the eugo.gov.gr page links to notifybusiness.gov.gr).
The competent office is the Regional Tourism Service (PYT) of the Ministry of Tourism; inspections happen after you open.
Depending on the case, you need documents such as a building permit, a fire safety certificate and, if you have a pool, the related papers.
Each notification gets a unique electronic number, and the procedure updates the Tourism Enterprises Registry (MHTE).

Fees per room

Paid by e-paravolo. The total depends on capacity:

Rented furnished rooms/apartments: EUR 10 per room.
Hotels: EUR 10 (5*), EUR 8 (4*), EUR 6 (3*), EUR 4 (2* and 1*) per room.
We did not find an official total cost including all documents.

Stars and keys

Hotels are classified in five star categories (law 4276/2014, article 5). They must obtain a classification certificate from the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels within 50 days of the notification.
Rented furnished rooms/apartments are classified in key categories. According to the official pages their classification is optional; if you choose it, the certificate is issued within 50 days.
We did not confirm how many key categories apply today.

The number you must display

Under article 111 of law 4446/2016, accommodation with an ESL or a notification does not register in the AMA registry, but must display its ESL or notification number prominently on every platform and in every advertising medium.
The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels refers to showing the MHTE number in all advertising, websites included (law 4070/2012).
Use the same number on your website, on Booking, on Airbnb and on every channel.

Short-term rental with an AMA is something else

Short-term rental means renting a property for less than 60 days (article 111 of law 4446/2016). According to the AADE FAQ (September 2025):

If you provide services beyond bed linen, the property counts as tourist accommodation and needs a notification on OpenBusiness.
An individual with 3 or more properties in short-term rental earns business income, must register a business activity and file VAT returns.
The business registration must be made within 30 days of receiving the third AMA.
Short-term rental rules (law 5170/2025, fines) are covered in our guide /greece-short-term-rental-ama-rules-2026.

What we did not confirm

The format of the MHTE number, who issues the keys certificate today, whether the procedure changed after Decision 11882/2025, and the special case of villas with an ESL. Ask the Regional Tourism Service for your area.

How iQuota helps

The official page iQuota publishes for each property shows the registration number you give us and allows direct booking, with payment at the property and no commission. It does not replace any licensing procedure, and we cannot guarantee that an AI will recommend you.

Want an official booking page AI can read and a connector with your real prices and availability, commission-free? The first 30 hotels join free until 30 June 2027.

See the Founding Hotels programme

Frequently asked questions

Do I still need a Special Operating Licence?

Not for a new property: the notification of operation has replaced the Special Operating Licence. It is filed online with TAXISnet credentials.

Are keys mandatory for rented rooms?

According to the government's official pages, classification of rented furnished rooms/apartments is optional. Hotels must obtain a star certificate within 50 days.

Does a property with a notification need an AMA?

No. Under article 111 of law 4446/2016 it displays its ESL or notification number on platforms and in advertising instead of an AMA.

Sources

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