Rent Increase in Shops: CPI and 3% Cap

While in housing the state leaves the law of regulation "CPI at 75%", in commercial leases (B2B), the increase clause is discussed absolutely freely between the parties. However, the market received a massive (temporary) shock recently due to high inflation.

Disclaimer: The 3% Cap is an emergency measure of the Greek Government to protect Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from "inflated" rents due to inflation (Law 5079). Updated March 2026.

1. The Basic Rule: Freedom of Contracts

In "New" commercial leases (After Law 4242/2014), the contract / Lease Agreement is "King".

• The landlord and the entrepreneur (tenant) write in the Private Agreement exactly the method of increase (Adjustment).
• Most Common Clause in Greece: "The increase will be implemented every year (increasing last year's rent) by the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index (CPI/ELSTAT) plus (plus) 1%-2%".
• Percentage clause: In shopping centers (Malls) often the increase is Fixed, e.g., fixed +4% every January, or rent based on the % of the total annual "Turnover" of the store, whichever is greater.

2. 3% Cap (Intervention due to Inflation)

As inflation skyrocketed in 2022-2023 in Europe (reaching 9%), many B2B contracts that had the clause "CPI + 1%" had to increase their rents by 10% overnight! The Greek State passed an emergency law (which has been extended/renewed with Law 5079/2023) to impose a "Cap" on commercial increases.

• What it Stipulates: For commercial (professional) leases, the annual increase of the rent is not allowed to exceed three percent (3%).
• Absolute Force: Even if the signed contract in TAXISnet clearly states "Annual Increase CPI + 2%" (which this year amounts to 5%), the Tenant-Entrepreneur is legally entitled to refuse the 5%, pay only the legal +3% and the Landlord is excluded from Eviction / Order of Return!
• (Note: The measure does not apply to REITs / Real Estate Investment Companies (REICs) or to huge shopping centers "Malls", which are exempt and freely impose inflation).

3. If there is NO Clause in the Contract (Silence)

What happens if the lawyers/accountants forgot to put an increase category in the electronic lease? In "Commercial" leases, if someone goes to court, the jurisprudence for the absence of a clause refers to a "Tacit" jurisprudence (the provisions about 75% of the housing price index or article 288 of the Civil Code are applied proportionally), but judicially it is a dangerous, blurry zone. No serious Commercial Property Contract remains silent in Greece.

4. Operational Expenses (Communal) - Do Not Lock with Cap

Rent is one thing and Communal expenses are another! Many Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) tenants think that the 3% cap locks AND the Bills! If the Public Power Corporation (DEH) or the Building's window cleaner raises their prices by 40%, the tenant of the building is 100% responsible to pay all this increase of the fixed costs proportionally, without a cap.

Accuracy in B2B Invoices with P&L Automation

Do you have Entrepreneur Tenants who "automatically" pay +3% instead of +4.5% that the contract says due to Government protection? And do you have a "REIC/MALL" building that is exempt from the 3% law? The manager becomes an endless legal judge in Excel. Landager's Index-Engine categorizes B2B contracts. Every January, it filters and separates properties (SME Properties vs. Exempt Properties) – applies the legal "Caps" where applicable by law, or hits the absolute Inflation Market Index (CPI/ELSTAT) where the company is exempt. Sends (Electronic Notice/e-Invoice) exactly the amount to the merchant. Your invoicing entails zero legal risks of cancellation and maximizes the Business's R.O.I!

Back to Commercial Leases (Overview).