A long-term rental on Karpathos is often the best first step if you are thinking about living on the island. You get to know the villages, the winter and daily life before you buy anything. Below we explain how renting works in Greece, what the rent usually includes and what to check before you sign.

This article reflects the rules in October 2026.

Why rent before you buy

A village that feels perfect in June can feel very different in January. Some places are busy in summer and almost empty in winter, and the wind and the temperature differ a lot between the east and west coast. Renting for a year shows you where you really want to live. It also gives you time to find the right house to buy, without pressure. We explain the differences between the villages in where to buy a house on Karpathos.

Where to find a long-term rental on Karpathos

There are not many long-term rentals on the island, and a lot is rented out through word of mouth. On Karpathos Houses we list houses for rent for a minimum of one year, with the rent and location. It also helps to tell people in the village where you want to live that you are looking. Asking in local Facebook groups also works well, because many locals are in them. There is no other platform for long-term rentals on the island, which is one reason we started listing them.

What the rent includes

In Greece the rent is usually only the rent. The tenant pays electricity, water and internet separately. Municipal charges are part of the electricity bill. The owner pays the yearly property tax ENFIA. On Karpathos Houses we ask owners to include their own costs in the rent and to state if anything is included.

Most owners ask for a deposit of one or two months' rent. You get it back at the end of the lease if you leave the house in the agreed condition.

Your rights as a tenant in Greece

Greek law gives tenants good protection. A lease for a home you live in has a minimum duration of three years, even if the contract says one year. As long as you pay and keep to the contract, the owner can't end it earlier.

The owner has to register the lease with the Greek tax authority (AADE) through Taxisnet. You then accept it online. For that you need a Greek tax number (AFM). From 1 October 2026 rent can only be paid through a bank, not in cash. A rent increase is only allowed if it is written in the contract.

The owner pays for large repairs, such as a broken roof or water heater. As a tenant you pay for small repairs from normal use and for your own utilities.

In practice it doesn't always work that way. On Karpathos we regularly hear from tenants whose landlord expected them to pay for a broken washing machine or even a leaking roof, because "you are renting it now". The law is clear about large repairs, but on the island that is not always how it goes. So agree in writing, before you sign, which appliances come with the house and who pays when something breaks.

Costs on top of the rent

Count on electricity, water and internet. Many houses outside the towns have weak mobile signal. Starlink works everywhere on the island, and we wrote about our own experience in Starlink in Greece. In winter you need heating too. A house without insulation and without a fireplace gets cold, and then you depend on the air conditioning a lot. A closed wood stove, the black metal kind, gives much more heat than an open fireplace, which many Greek houses have. Plastic window frames and insulation also make a big difference. Ask how the house is heated before you sign.

What to check before you sign

• Is the contract in writing and will the owner register it in Taxisnet?
• How much is the deposit, and when do you get it back?
• What is included in the rent, and what do you pay yourself?
• Which furniture and appliances stay in the house, and who pays if one breaks? Take photos of everything when you move in.
• How is the house heated in winter, and is it insulated?
• How is the road to the house in winter and after rain?

How much is the rent on Karpathos?

For a normal long-term rental you pay around €300 to €600 a month. Renting the same kind of house for months through a holiday platform such as Airbnb costs a lot more. There are houses for rent, but they are hard to find, because most are rented out through word of mouth.

You find the long-term rentals that are available now on our properties page.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a rental contract in Greece?

A lease for a home you live in has a minimum of three years by law, even if a shorter term is written in the contract. On Karpathos Houses we only list rentals of one year or longer.

Is electricity included in the rent on Karpathos?

Usually not. The tenant pays electricity, water and internet. Municipal charges are part of the electricity bill.

How much deposit do landlords ask in Greece?

Usually one or two months' rent.

Do I need a Greek tax number to rent a house?

Yes. The owner registers the lease with the tax authority, and you accept it online with your Greek tax number (AFM).

This article is general information, not legal advice. Always read your rental contract carefully before you sign.