Can the landlord ban my pet?
No: a blanket pet ban isn't enforceable. Under Law 4830/2021 (Article 12), keeping companion animals is allowed in every residence, including apartments; the building regulation cannot ban pets, and by the same logic a blanket "no pets" clause in a lease is void. The regulation may only cap the number: up to 3 dogs/cats per apartment. The animal must live inside the apartment (not permanently on the balcony), observing welfare, hygiene and quiet-hours rules. Keeping animals in common areas needs a unanimous assembly decision. In short: yes to a pet, with limits and responsibility.
📋 The rules
- Blanket pet ban: void (Law 4830/2021)
- Up to 3 dogs/cats per apartment allowed
- The animal lives inside, not permanently on the balcony
- Observe welfare, hygiene, quiet hours
- Common areas: unanimous assembly decision
🔓 Exceptions
- The regulation may set the 3-animal cap
- A change to the number rule: effective 12 months after the vote
- Dangerous animals / special species: special rules
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" for having a pet — on the contrary, a ban in the lease or regulation is unenforceable. Sanctions arise only if you breach the welfare rules: the Law 4830/2021 fine scale runs from €300 to €30,000 depending on the violation (with criminal liability for abuse). Persistent barking during quiet hours is a separate offence (about €500). Beware the myths: "a lease/regulation can ban pets" is wrong since 2021, but "there's no limit at all" is also wrong — the 3 dog/cat cap applies. To stay compliant: respect the cap, keep the animal indoors, and ensure hygiene and quiet.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4830/2021 (Article 12) — companion animals →
- Ministry of the Interior — animal protection →
- gov.gr — pets →
❓ Frequently asked
Can the landlord ban my pet?
No. Since Law 4830/2021, keeping companion animals is allowed in every residence, and the building regulation cannot ban it. By the same logic, a blanket "no pets" clause in a lease is considered void and isn't applied.
How many animals can I keep?
The regulation may cap the number at up to 3 dogs or cats per apartment. Other species don't count towards that cap. A full ban can't be imposed, however — the limit concerns only the number, not your right to keep a pet.
Can I keep the animal on the balcony?
Not permanently. The law provides that the animal must live inside the apartment and not permanently on the balcony or veranda. The owner must observe welfare, hygiene and quiet-hours rules towards the neighbours.
What about common areas?
To keep an animal in the building's common areas you need a unanimous decision of the owners' general assembly. Inside your own apartment, though, no approval is needed — the right is protected by law.
What if the animal causes a nuisance?
If the animal causes a problem, e.g. persistent barking during quiet hours, that's treated as a separate offence and can attract a fine. Breaching the welfare rules is fined from €300 to €30,000, with criminal liability for abuse.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “pet rental ban greece”
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