Long-Term Rentals in Kefalonia: Tenant Guide

Long term rental in Kefalonia: the basics

Renting long term is a good way to get to know the island before you buy, or to live here without owning. Greek residential leases give tenants solid protection, and most of the paperwork is done online.

Before you start, get a Greek tax number (AFM) and a Greek bank account. You will need both to sign a registered lease and to pay rent the right way.

A long-term let in Kefalonia is a home rented for year-round living under a written lease, which is quite different from a summer holiday rental. Ask whether the home comes furnished, expect to agree a deposit at the start, and plan for a lease of at least three years.

This guide sets out general facts as of November 2026. It is not legal advice. Check the details of any lease with a Greek lawyer.

How long is a residential lease in Greece?

Residential leases have a mandatory minimum of three years, even if the contract states a shorter term, as long as the tenant keeps to the terms. The rule is usually traced to Law 1703/1987 as amended by Law 2235/1994, although sources differ on the exact current legal basis.

Ending a lease early within the protected period may need mutual agreement or specific legal grounds. Read the termination terms in your lease carefully before you sign.

How much deposit do landlords ask for?

Deposits are typically one or two months' rent, returned when you hand the home back in the agreed condition. There is no legal cap, so the amount is agreed in the lease.

Rent increases must be written into the contract, for example as a fixed yearly percentage. A landlord cannot raise the rent on their own.

Does the lease have to be registered?

Yes. The landlord must declare the lease electronically to AADE, the Greek tax authority, through Taxisnet. Sources give the deadline as the end of the month after the lease starts or changes. The tenant then has 30 days to accept it online, otherwise it is treated as accepted.

Both landlord and tenant need an AFM for this. Our buying guide explains how to get one from abroad through myAADE.

Can tenants get a rent refund in Greece?

Yes. Greece pays eligible tenants a yearly refund equal to one month's rent, capped at €800 for a primary residence plus €50 for each dependent child (as reported in June 2026).

The 2026 refund is due by the end of November, paid automatically based on tax returns and registered leases.
From 2026, rent paid in cash disqualifies the tenant, so always pay by bank transfer.
Income limits apply and were under review in 2026, so check your own eligibility.

Moving to Kefalonia from the UK: what to know before renting

Paperwork first. Get your AFM and open a Greek bank account early, as you need both for the lease and the rent refund.
Residence rules. Since Brexit, UK citizens are non-EU nationals. Check the residence and visa rules for your situation with the Greek consulate before you move.
Visit out of season. Island life in winter is very different from August. See the area in the quieter months before you commit to three years.
Choose your side of the island. Lixouri, on the Paliki Peninsula, is a working town with year-round shops and schools and a regular car ferry to Argostoli.
Budget carefully. We found no reliable published average for long-term rents in Kefalonia, so compare real listings rather than online averages.

Are long-term rentals hard to find in Kefalonia?

Many homes on the island are let to holidaymakers, which keeps long-term supply tight in popular areas. Short-term listings in Argostoli, Fiskardo and Sami fell 11% year on year to 3,530 as of May 2026, according to bnbcalc. Private long-term rentals are often found through local contacts, so it helps to deal directly with owners.

What to check before you sign a lease

The rent, how it is paid, and whether any yearly increase is written in.
The deposit amount and the condition the home must be returned in.
The lease length, remembering the three-year minimum for residential leases.
What happens if you need to leave early, as set out in the lease.
Who pays for utilities, heating fuel and repairs.
That the landlord will declare the lease to AADE, so you can accept it online and claim the rent refund.

Take photos of the home on the day you move in, and keep copies of every rent transfer.

Letting out a home you buy in Kefalonia

Many buyers plan to let their home long term when they are not living in it. The same rules apply from the landlord's side:

Residential tenants are protected for a minimum of three years if they keep to the terms.
You must declare the lease to AADE through Taxisnet, which needs your own AFM.
Rent increases only apply if they are written into the contract.
If you bought through the Golden Visa, the home cannot be let short term, but long-term lets are allowed.

Rental income is taxed in Greece, so speak to a Greek accountant before you let. If you are weighing up a purchase for letting, our buying guide covers the costs and rules.

Long-term rentals near Lixouri from ELD

ELD offers its Ermolaos Hillside Villas for long-term rent as well as for sale. Each is a modern, American-built two-storey home for year-round living:

2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, about 100 m²
Sea view and a shared swimming pool
Air-conditioning and central oil heating
About 300 m from Livadi Bay and about 4 km from Lixouri

Rent is on request. Renting first can also be a sensible step before buying: read our guide to buying property in Kefalonia and guide to building a house in Kefalonia, or browse homes for sale.

How ELD can help

ELD is a family business in Livadi near Lixouri, renting, building and selling homes in Kefalonia since 1991. As the owners, we register leases properly and offer year-round security and property services at Hillside. To ask about availability, send an enquiry, call +30 26710 93793 or message +30 694 547 1491 on WhatsApp.

Questions people ask

What is the minimum lease length in Greece?

Three years for residential leases, even if the contract says less, as long as the tenant keeps to the terms.

How much deposit do I need to rent long term in Kefalonia?

Typically one or two months' rent. There is no legal cap, so it is agreed in the lease.

Do I need a Greek tax number to rent?

Yes, in practice. The lease is declared to AADE and the tenant accepts it online, which needs an AFM.

Can I pay rent in cash?

You can, but from 2026 rent paid in cash disqualifies you from the yearly rent refund, so pay by bank transfer.

Can I rent an ELD Hillside Villa long term?

Yes. The 2-bedroom Hillside Villas near Lixouri are offered for long-term rent as well as for sale. Contact ELD for availability.

Facts checked in November 2026. Laws, taxes and fees change: this guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the details with a Greek lawyer, notary or accountant before you act.

Long-term rentals in Kefalonia: how renting works