Greek authorities have granted a flurry of approvals for significant hotel development projects across the country, signaling a robust investment climate in the tourism sector. These decisions encompass a wide range of works, from minor renovations to major expansions and upgrades, affecting prominent hotel properties in key tourist destinations such as Corfu, Kos, Athens, and Thessaloniki, as well as emerging areas like Karpathos, Kozani, and Igoumenitsa.
Corfu Sees Hotel Upgrades and New Construction
Corfu, a jewel of the Ionian Sea, is set to benefit from two notable approvals. The five-star Ikos Dassia hotel in Dassia – Kato Korakiana received a Small-Scale Building Permit Approval from the Special Service for the Promotion and Licensing of Tourist Investments of the Ministry of Tourism. This permit covers painting and repair works using scaffolding, along with the construction of a pergola in the surrounding area of the unit. The project owner is IKOS Dassia Monoprosopi S.A., with MMT S.A. acting as the application manager.
Separately, in Kardamaina, Kos, the Building Department of Kos (YDOM Kos) issued a new pre-approval for a building permit (Act No. 1666652, 12/11/2025) for the creation of two new swimming pools at a five-star hotel. This project, located on a 35,760 sqm plot owned by ACHIL. & PARASKEVI FRAGKOS S.A., has Stamatakis Mantoukos, a civil engineer, as the application manager. The approval followed positive opinions from the Aegean Architectural Council and the Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities, with the pre-approval valid until 12/11/2027.
Widespread Hotel Modernization Across Greece
Beyond Corfu, several other regions are experiencing significant hotel upgrades:
Thessaloniki
The Building Department of Thessaloniki (YDOM Thessaloniki) revised a Small-Scale Building Permit Approval for demolition works within a hotel facility at 4 Elenis Svoronou and Ptolemaion Street. This act is a continuation of a previous permit issued in October 2025 for the installation of mobile scaffolding. The project owner is Begum Mustafa Yurttas, with the technical company “Karakoliou – Tsiouras EE” submitting the application. The revision allows for internal layout modifications within the existing hotel building.
Karpathos
The Building Department of Karpathos (YDOM Karpathos) approved a new Small-Scale Building Permit Approval for the Poseidon Blue hotel in Damatria. The permit covers repair, maintenance, and configuration works of the existing complex, including scaffolding installation and painting interventions. Issued on 27/11/2025 and valid until 27/11/2026, the permit aims at the functional and aesthetic upgrade of the hotel following an application by the technical supervision.
Kos
In addition to the Kardamaina project, the Building Department of Kos (YDOM Kos) proceeded with the pre-approval of a building permit for the comprehensive upgrade of the “Astron” hotel in Kos town, elevating its category from 3* to 4*. The project includes internal layouts, facade changes, the creation of a third emergency staircase, and the addition of an elevator, with a total capacity of 150 beds. The pre-approval, valid until 2027, signifies a significant investment in Kos’s tourism map, fully complying with necessary approvals from competent councils and archaeological services.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment (YPEN/DIPA, decision YPEN/DIPA/126600/8250/11.11.2025) approved the modification and renewal of the Environmental Impact Assessment (AEPO) for the five-star “Astir Odysseus Kos & Spa” hotel by Occidental S.A. in the “Dyo Ekklisies” area of the Municipality of Kos. The permit provides for a significant capacity increase of 140 beds, from 795 to 935, along with a series of modifications: connection to DEYAK’s central sewerage system, new boreholes, replacement of the floating platform, and updating of all environmental terms. The AEPO’s validity is renewed until 2040.
Kozani
The Building Department of Kozani (YDOM Kozanis) approved small-scale works for the construction of a new elevator in an existing hotel unit in Velvento. The intervention concerns an off-plan property in Metochi, owned by “Asteras Naousas S.A.” and with the technical company PIEROS E.E. managing the application. The project is part of the continuous upgrade of the region’s tourism infrastructure and includes a complete study and supervision of the lifting system installation by a civil engineer. The approval is valid until November 2026.
Igoumenitsa
A new Small-Scale Building Permit Approval from the Building Department of Igoumenitsa (YDOM Igoumenitsas) is advancing the upgrade of a ground-floor building in Plataria, which operates as a hotel. The intervention includes internal layouts, shell insulation, and repair works, as well as thermal insulation with passive solar systems. The beneficiary of the permit is Infinity Resorts O.E., which leases the property. The works fall under the provisions of Law 4495/2017 and are valid until November 2026.
Athens
The Building Department of the Municipality of Athens (YDOM Athinon) approved on November 27, 2025, the Revision of Building Permit Category 3 (Act No. 1689170), concerning the ATHENAEUM INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENS hotel at 89-93 Syngrou Avenue. The permit provides for internal layouts in the existing hotel, the configuration of the 6th-floor roof with the construction of a swimming pool, the addition of elevators, and a change of supervising engineers. The project owner is Donkey Hotels A.E., with Urban Soul Project A.E. managing, and the permit is valid until November 1, 2028.
Additionally, the Building Department of Athens issued on November 11, 2025, Act No. 1665612, which concerns a revision of a Category 3 building permit, without changes in coverage, building, or volume, for the President hotel at 43 Kifisias Avenue, in Ampelokipi. The revision concerns a change of supervising engineer for the existing building permit 760729/2023, which covers exterior painting of facades and the opening of openings using scaffolding.
Finally, there’s a new development for the emblematic co-ownership hotel “The Ilisian” at 46 Vassilissis Sofias, as the 8th revision of the building permit for the 5-star condo hotel, with a capacity of 969 beds, has been issued. The revision concerns the update of floor plans from level -3 to the 13th floor, the addition of spaces at levels -1, 0, and +1 within the already approved coverage, as well as specific modifications to the facades and the surrounding area, confirming the intensive redesign phase of the unit.
These widespread approvals underscore a strategic push to enhance Greece’s tourism infrastructure, making it more competitive and appealing to both domestic and international visitors.
Source: https://money-tourism.gr/apofaseis-egkriseis-ergasies-se-xenodocheia-se-athina-thessaloniki-kerkyra-karpatho-ko-kozani-igoymenitsa/
