Key takeaways
- Short-term rentals are permitted in Corfu; each property is registered and shows its AMA registration number on every listing.
- Safety and insurance standards protect you and your guests; a local rental manager or accountant sets them up before your first booking.
- Rental income is taxed in Greece on a separate scale starting at 15%; your accountant handles the declarations.
- Many owners combine personal use and rentals, keeping their favourite weeks and renting the rest of the season.
In this guide
Corfu has a long holiday season, a busy international airport and a loyal following of families who rent the same villa year after year. That makes it one of the most rewarding Greek islands for owners who want to enjoy a home themselves and rent it when they’re away. As with any property, the right house and good planning make the difference.
This guide explains the rules for short-term rentals in Greece as they stand in late 2026, how rental income is handled and how owners plan a realistic budget. If you’re mainly buying a holiday home and want to cover some costs, see also our guide to the cost of owning a home in Corfu.
Can you rent out a holiday home in Corfu?
Yes. Short-term rentals are permitted in Corfu, and the island has no freeze on new registrations. Each property is registered with Greece’s short-term rental registry and receives a registration number (AMA), which appears on every listing.
Holiday rentals in Greece come with safety and insurance standards, such as fire safety equipment and liability cover, that protect you and your guests. Your rental manager or accountant takes you through the current list before your first booking. Our team can introduce you to local professionals who set this up for international owners every season.
How is rental income taxed in Greece?
Rental income from a Corfu home is taxed in Greece, on a separate scale for individual owners that starts at 15%, and is included in an annual Greek tax return. If you’re tax resident in another country, your accountant can advise on any declaration there, usually with credit for the Greek tax under a double tax treaty.
A Greek accountant arranges it all from the start, tailored to your circumstances: registering the property, declaring stays as required and filing your return, so renting your home stays simple while you’re abroad.
Fees on guest stays
Tourist stays in Greece carry a small per-night fee. Owners usually add it to the booking price and pass it on to guests, and the manager or accountant pays it to the authorities, so it doesn’t come out of your rental income.
How do you estimate what a rental villa can earn?
What a villa earns in Corfu depends above all on the specific house: location, pool, number of bedrooms, sea view, quality and reviews. The strongest weeks run from late June to early September, the heart of Corfu’s summer. Here’s how to build your own estimate.
| Step | What to include |
|---|---|
| 1. Gross income | Realistic weeks booked × weekly rate for each season, based on similar villas nearby |
| 2. Platform and agency fees | Commission charged by booking sites or a rental agency |
| 3. Operating costs | Cleaning, laundry, changeovers, welcome packs, extra utilities and pool chemicals |
| 4. Management | Guest care and upkeep; usually a percentage of income |
| 5. Fixed costs | Insurance, ENFIA, garden and pool contracts you’d pay anyway |
| 6. Tax | Greek income tax on rental income, calculated by your accountant |
| 7. Reserve | Refreshing furniture and linen, repainting, keeping the house at its best |
Many owners combine both uses: they keep the weeks they love most for family and friends, and rent the rest of the high season. The home is enjoyed, looked after by professionals all year and keeps its long-term value, while rental income helps towards the running costs.
How owners make the most of a rental villa
Every villa is different, and results depend on the home, its location and how it is managed. What makes a difference is the home itself: a good location, a pool, sea views, well-planned bedrooms and a high standard of finish. Owners who choose such a home, set realistic seasons for their own use and for guests, and work with an experienced local manager give their property the best chance to earn while they are away. Our team can introduce you to local managers who know the booking history of similar homes, so your plans rest on real figures.
Which properties rent best in Corfu?
Villas with private pools, sea views and three or more bedrooms are the backbone of Corfu’s holiday-rental market, followed by well-located apartments in and around Corfu Town. Guests booking a villa in Corfu typically look for privacy, a pool, air conditioning, a short walk or drive to a beach and a taverna, and reliable Wi-Fi.
- North-east coast: premium villas with sea views and calm water, popular with families who return each year. See our north-east Corfu guide.
- Near town and the marina: Kontokali, Gouvia and Kommeno combine short transfers with year-round demand.
- North-west: sunsets and beaches at more accessible purchase prices, with a high summer that guests love.
- Old Town apartments: demand from spring to autumn, including weddings, events and city breaks. See our guide to Corfu Old Town property.
Three homes on our books with rental potential: a villa with a guest apartment, a pool villa near the Achilleion and a small apartment complex in Arillas:
€500,000Villa with Pool and Guest Apartment for Sale near Corfu Town4 bed · 240 m² · plot 3,500 m² · RR7484
€1,100,000Villa with Private Pool in Central Corfu, near Achilleion4 bed · 295 m² · plot 4,740 m² · RR7492
€700,000Arillas Apartment Complex For Sale West / North West Corfu6 bed · 320 m² · plot 1,305 m² · RR5604What makes a home a great holiday rental?
- Permits: your lawyer and our team confirm that the house, the pool and any annex are covered by the permits, so the property can be registered for rentals. Our step-by-step buyer’s guide explains how the purchase works.
- Track record: if the house is already rented, our team gathers its booking and income history, reviews and AMA registration, so you can see its story.
- Access and parking: an easy approach is a pleasure for guests arriving with hire cars and luggage.
- Pool safety: a well-fenced pool is a real plus for families with young children, and our team goes through the safety requirements with you.
- A peaceful setting: a quiet lane is a pleasure for your guests and helps keep good relations with the neighbours.
Our team can introduce you to local rental managers, who can look after the property between stays. For larger investments, our luxury villa guide and the article on Corfu real estate investment look at the top of the market.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent out my Corfu villa to holidaymakers?
Yes. Corfu has no freeze on new short-term rental registrations. The property is registered with Greece’s short-term rental registry, its AMA number appears on every listing, and safety and insurance standards protect you and your guests. A local rental manager or accountant can set everything up for you.
How is holiday rental income taxed in Greece?
Rental income from a home in Greece is taxed in Greece, on a separate scale for individual owners that starts at 15%, and is included in an annual Greek tax return. A Greek accountant sets this up for you, tailored to your circumstances.
Can I use the villa myself and rent it too?
Yes, and many owners do exactly that. They keep the weeks they enjoy most for family and friends and rent the rest of the high season. The home is cared for all year by professionals, keeps its long-term value and rental income helps towards running costs.
What rental yield can a Corfu villa achieve?
It depends on the specific home: location, pool, size, quality and how many weeks you rent, mainly from late June to early September. Every villa is different, so local managers can share the booking history of similar villas to help you plan.
Do I need a property manager for a holiday rental?
If you don’t live nearby, it makes life much easier. A good manager welcomes guests, arranges cleaning and laundry, deals with anything that comes up and keeps the pool and garden in shape, so the house is always ready for you and your guests.
Founded in 2003 by Roula Rouva, our company brings more than 23 years of experience in the Greek real estate market, specializing in premium and ultra-premium residential properties, investment opportunities, hospitality assets, and development projects. As the exclusive representative of Forbes Global Properties in Greece, we combine deep local expertise with international reach. With offices in Athens, Corfu (Corfu Town, Dafni, and Arillas), and Paxos (Lakka), our professional ecosystem includes a core team of 50 specialized professionals, a network of 80+ lawyers, more than 50 certified translators, and trusted legal and tax partners. Our approach goes beyond transactions, focusing on lifestyle, personalized service, and long-term value.
Sources
- Holidu, Greek regulations on short-term rentals, retrieved 2026-10-15
- Rakidzich, Greece short-term rental rules in 2026: the new tax brackets, the AADE registry and the Athens freeze, retrieved 2026-10-15
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances and further clarification, please contact our team or consult the relevant qualified professional.
