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Greek Hostels / Hostel Owners

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johnnyD started this discussion 15 years 1 month ago

Hello

Are there any Greek hostel owners who can tell me about some of the laws and regulations in Greece as I hear it is rather difficult to open a hostel in Greece. Also I hear that "hostels in greece need to be non-profit as well? is this true ?

So if there are any Greek Hostels owners who can advise that would be great.

Thanks
Jon

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Plakian

14 years

I just found the following at the bottom of a Greek Hostel web site:

"* Hostels are not recognized by Greek legislation. As a result there is no "Hostel" in Thessaloniki. Our apartment is the closest thing you can get. We cannot charge travelers for the accommodation we provide. But we rely on our guests' contribution for the up keeping of our operation, so we can be here for future travelers. 15 Euro is a recommended sum for donation that makes Backpackers Refuge sustainable. If you are not comfortable with the concept of our operation, please use one of the hotels instead."

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Mika

14 years

Yeah, i've seen that...

It's crossed my mind to start a Non-Profit Organisation (M.K.O. in Greece) which is necessary according to Greek legislation in order to operate a legit youth hostel, and ask for 'donations' instead of a certain price. After a while i decided that it's not a really 'solid' basis for my business. Please don't think that i am generally suspicious, but i would like to be assured in a certain level that my guests will have to pay the price i ask for the room/bed i provide to them. This is not the case when you ask for a donation. Somebody could just leave without giving you anything if he hasn't got any money, which is perfectly right when you run a non-profit organisation. I don't want to ever come in the position where i would have to argue abouth whether someone has to make a donation or not and finally either lose the money or just look bad in front of my other guests. On the other hand i intend to run a business and even if i really love hostels, make some money out of it. The hostel that you mentioned is really small scale... if i remember well there must be only ten beds in two dorms and a common room, all of the in a converted appartment.

I think i would go for the semi legit solution (there is no point to analyse this since all of us involved know what i mean). I have to make clear here that this semi-legit solution is only partly illegal as long as it concerns the greek state and its obsolete legislation. I want to believe that my guests will find that the price they will have to pay will be worth it, and in no case feel deceived or ripped-off.

Thanks for the post though...

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caveman

14 years

Could you please sent me also a copy of that document? I would really appreciate it :)))

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Plakian

14 years

It's on its way.

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cabanacopa

14 years

Hi there! I know some people trying to do something similar here in Brazil.. Can I check out the document too? Thanks!
By the way, my dad is greek, we have a hostel here
in Rio.. Where is yours?

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Plakian

14 years

Hi Carioca

The hostel is in Plakias on the south coast of Crete (Kphth).

Right now I am on a small island in the north of Panama with my netbook. The info you want is back on my office computer in Greece. The hostel is closed for the winter and there is no one there until I return on 13th December.

Please message me again after the 13th and add your e-mail address but with the @ symbol replaced by [at]

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cabanacopa

14 years

Hi!
Cool! I have been to Greece a few times. Once to Crete, but don't remember much..

Sounds nice, put your notebook away! :-)
I will send you a pm, by that day!

Cheers,
Ian

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fotis1989

11 years

hello i want to ask about the law for hostel in greece
is it unpossible to open? can you send plakain the data of law plz
and which is the most similar way to open something like hostel but promote like that
b&b or rooms rent or i dont know plz help me i am interest to open one @ peraieus with Espa program
if you know
thanks in advance :)

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eirini89

11 years

I've been interested for quite sometime in starting a hostel in Greece, possibly Athens, but I realise it's not as easy as I thought :)

I am Australian/Cypriot citizen and considered starting a hostel in Cyprus. But that not the best idea as I found out after some small research... Greece seems to be the place!

And then as some of you have mentioned, there are serious issues with such an idea :) ahaha
My friends have pointed out what they are calling the "illegal hostels" where you can pay 10-15 euros per night scattered around Athens and Thessaloniki for example.

So any ideas, anyone who's interested as well, possibly you Fotis, feel free to contact me :)

P.s., Plakian, I'd love to see your document!
Thanks!

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fotis1989

11 years

dn katalava pou akrivos thes tin voitheia mou>>?
psaxneis akinito?
euxaristw ek twn proterwn

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