Greece Tourist Accommodation Licensing to Get Easier?

The licensing procedure for tourist accommodation facilities in Greece to get the coveted Special Operations Sticker will be simplified requiring fewer supporting documents, among others, according to a new plan by the Economy, Development and Tourism ministry.

Approved by the Government Council for Economic Affairs (KYSOIP), the new scheme paves the way for stakeholders to set up business operations with a simple notification to the competent authority. The idea now is to “first give business the go-ahead and then ensure legal operation” as is applied in other EU countries.

The decision facilitates the licensing procedures in three business categories which contribute more than 25 percent to the GDP – dining, tourism and the F&B industry.

Professionals running accommodation facilities will no longer be required to present several documents involving separate architectural and construction plans, among others.

The system, which will be carried out in collaboration with the World Bank, comes to reverse the inefficient, extensive and tedious licensing procedure which is not followed up by regular checks.