Hotels and tourist accommodation operate under their own rules, applied by the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Tourism Services (Περιφερειακές Υπηρεσίες Τουρισμού) and EYPATE (ΕΥΠΑΤΕ). When a restaurant, bar or beach bar operates within the property, the rules for food and beverage businesses (“shops of sanitary interest”, ΚΥΕ) also apply. We handle both, so you have a single point of contact.
What we handle
- Checks before purchase or lease: which licences the property holds, for which category and capacity of accommodation, and what it needs to operate lawfully.
- Business operation notification (γνωστοποίηση λειτουργίας) and Register of Tourism Businesses (MHTE, ΜΗΤΕ): the file, submission on the OPS-ADE platform (ΟΠΣ-ΑΔΕ) and changes, such as a change of operator, capacity or facilities. A change of operator is declared by both the old and the new operator within 10 days. We also take care of the classification certificate from the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (Ξενοδοχειακό Επιμελητήριο).
- The outlets within the property: restaurant, bar, pool bar, beach bar, music, public spaces and the foreshore (αιγιαλός).
- Inspections and sanctions: written submissions (απόψεις) within the 15-day deadline, appeals to the Appeals Committee of the Ministry of Tourism, court proceedings and applications for suspension against fines and administrative measures.
- Contracts: leases of properties and businesses, management agreements, partnerships and suppliers.
The framework in brief
Since 2017, tourist accommodation no longer needs a Special Operating Licence (Ειδικό Σήμα Λειτουργίας, ΕΣΛ). It operates lawfully after a notification on the OPS-ADE platform (Open Business), addressed to the competent Regional Tourism Service of the Ministry of Tourism or, for large 4- and 5-star properties, to EYPATE (Articles 39–40 of Law 4442/2016, Joint Ministerial Decision 11882/2025). Where legislation still refers to the Special Operating Licence (ΕΣΛ), this means the notification. The inspection takes place after the property opens, so the file must be complete from day one.
Every restaurant, bar, pool bar or other food and beverage business within a hotel needs its own notification before it operates, whether it serves only guests or outside customers as well. As a rule, the competent authority is the Regional Tourism Service or EYPATE, not the Municipality (Joint Ministerial Decision 13387/2022). Entertainment venues (κέντρα διασκέδασης) follow the general regime. We examine each case separately, because the requirements vary with the type and category of the accommodation.
Preparing for the season? The licences of the property and its outlets are best checked months before opening. Watch the deadlines: properties operating with an old Special Operating Licence or with a notification on notifybusiness.gov.gr must complete their registration (απογραφή) or the upload of their supporting documents on the OPS-ADE platform by 31 December 2026 (Article 14A of Law 4442/2016, as amended by Article 59 of Law 5255/2025). The property’s swimming pools also need a notification (Joint Ministerial Decision 11814/2025). Send us your details and we will tell you what is needed.