Over 6,000 Kiosks Shut Down in Greece in 15 Years

More than 6,000 street kiosks have shut down across Greece over the past 15 years, as repeated crises and fierce competition have taken a toll on one of the country’s most familiar small businesses.

The hardest-hit areas include Piraeus and Thessaloniki, where kiosk closures have reached about 70% of former numbers, according to the Panhellenic Federation of Kiosk Renters.

Federation president Theodoros Mallios explained that the decline began with the financial crisis, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and later the energy crisis. Together, these challenges left many kiosks unable to survive. At the same time, the rapid spread of mini-market chains has intensified competition, drawing customers away from independent kiosk owners.

Rental costs add to the burden

Another major factor is rent. Kiosk rental prices can start at around €300 per month, but in high-demand locations, they can climb as high as €3,000.

“There is no standard pricing,” Mallios noted. “It depends on the location and on how well the kiosk operator can run the business.”

Despite their decline, kiosks remain a recognizable part of Greek city streets, often selling everything from newspapers and snacks to phone cards and small essentials. But with closures accelerating, their future is increasingly uncertain.