Do You Have a Spare Room? How It Can Generate Extra Income
Do you have a room in your home that is barely being used or has been completely empty for a while? Maybe it is an old bedroom that became available after someone moved out, a room that has turned into a storage space, or simply an extra room that has never really had a purpose.
For many homeowners, an empty room may seem insignificant. In reality, however, it can become a source of regular monthly income.
And the interesting part is that you don’t necessarily have to rent out your entire home.
An Empty Room Can Become a Second Source of Income
Let’s say you have an apartment with an extra bedroom and decide to rent it to a roommate for €400 per month.
That’s €4,800 per year in gross rental income.
If the room can be rented for €500, that’s €6,000 per year. At €600, the amount reaches €7,200.
For someone who already owns or rents their home and is already paying for electricity, internet, shared building expenses and other household costs, that additional income can make a meaningful difference.
Of course, the amount you ultimately keep is not the same as the gross rent, since there may be tax and other obligations to consider.
But the basic idea is simple: a room that currently generates €0 can potentially create additional income every month.
You Don’t Have to Rent Out the Entire Home
One of the advantages of renting out a room is that you don’t have to leave your home.
You can continue living there while sharing the property with another person.
For example, if you live alone in a three-bedroom apartment, you could make one of the bedrooms available and continue using the rest of the home normally.
This means that the income from the room can work alongside your everyday life.
And at a time when housing costs are high, even a few hundred euros per month can make a noticeable difference.
It Can Also Reduce Your Own Housing Costs
Income from a roommate doesn’t necessarily have to be treated simply as “profit.”
It can also be a way to reduce the cost of your own home.
Let’s say you spend a total of €900 per month on rent or mortgage, utilities and basic housing expenses.
If you have a roommate paying €500 per month for their room, a significant part of those costs is effectively covered.
The same home that previously represented a cost entirely paid from your own budget can become much more affordable.
And this is one of the reasons why flatsharing can be attractive not only to people looking for a room, but also to homeowners.
How Much Can You Charge for a Room?
There is no single price that applies to every room.
The value of a room depends on its location, size, condition, furnishings, access to public transport and, of course, what is included in the price.
A furnished room close to a metro station, university or major business area can attract a different level of demand from a similar room in a more remote location.
Small details can also matter to a potential roommate: fast Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, a desk, storage space, a balcony and the overall condition of the shared areas.
Before deciding on a price, it is worth checking what similar rooms are being offered for in the same area and with comparable features.
The Right Listing Can Make a Big Difference
Having a spare room is only the first step.
Your listing should make it immediately clear what you are offering.
Good photos, accurate information about the home, a clear price and straightforward rules can save a lot of time for both sides.
If, for example, pets are not allowed or the home is strictly non-smoking, it is better to say so from the beginning.
The same applies to whether bills are included, whether the room is furnished and how long it is available for.
The clearer your listing is, the more likely you are to attract people who are genuinely suited to what you are offering.
You’re Not Just Looking for a Tenant
This is perhaps the most important point when renting out a room in the home where you actually live.
You’re not simply choosing someone who will pay a certain amount every month.
You’re choosing the person you’ll be sharing your everyday life with.
It can be very different living with someone who works from home and needs peace and quiet compared with living with a student who regularly has friends over.
That’s why, before making an agreement, it is worth discussing things such as schedules, cleanliness, guests, smoking, pets, bills and the use of shared spaces.
The highest rent isn’t always the best option if the person moving in makes your everyday life difficult.
What About Taxes?
Income from long-term property rental in Greece is declared and taxed according to the applicable rules for income from real estate.
For 2026, rental income is taxed progressively depending on the total income generated from property.
That’s why it is important not to treat the rent you receive from the room as pure profit. Before deciding on the price and whether renting the room makes financial sense, you should also consider taxation, additional expenses and how the rental arrangement will be declared.
If the arrangement involves subletting, short-term rental or another form of property use, different rules may apply.
Before You List the Room
Before you get started, there are a few things worth deciding first.
Think about the type of person you’re looking for. Do you want a student, a working professional, someone staying in Athens for a few months or someone looking for a longer-term home?
Then decide exactly what the rent includes and which bills will be shared.
Make sure the room is clean, bright and ready to be lived in. Good photos can be much more effective than a generic description.
And above all, be honest. If there is something you consider important for living together, it is much better to mention it from the beginning.
An Empty Room May Be Worth More Than You Think
A room that stays empty for months generates no income.
With the right person, however, it can become a steady source of additional income while also reducing the real cost of your home.
The point isn’t simply to find someone who will pay rent.
It’s to find a roommate who fits your home, your lifestyle and the kind of everyday environment you want to have.
And that’s exactly the difference between simply “renting out a room” and “finding the right roommate.”
At Flatshare.gr, we want to make this process easier. You should be able to present your available room properly and find people who aren’t simply looking for somewhere to stay, but for a home that genuinely fits their lifestyle.
Have a spare room? Find your next roommate on Flatshare.gr →