Interior painting with primer and two coats costs about 4–8 € per m² of painted surface in 2026, and 8–15 €/m² when skim-coating is needed. For an 80 m² apartment, market guides give 1,500–4,000 € in total.
01Detailed price table
| Job / item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Simple refresh (1 coat, no skim coat)€/m² of wall | 3 € | 5 € |
| Primer + 2 coats€/m² of wall | 4 € | 8 € |
| Skim coat + primer + paint€/m² of wall | 8 € | 15 € |
| Ceiling painting€/m² | 6 € | 12 € |
| Exterior façade painting€/m², without scaffolding | 10 € | 20 € |
| 15 m² room (walls + ceiling)in total | 300 € | 700 € |
| 25 m² living roomin total | 500 € | 1,200 € |
| 80 m² apartment (all rooms)in total | 1,500 € | 4,000 € |
Per m² of wall/ceiling surface (not floor area), labour and materials.
02What affects the price
Condition of the walls
high
Cracks, damp and peeling need skim coating and an insulating primer, and almost double the price.
Wall m² versus floor m²
high
An 80 m² apartment has about 200–250 m² of walls and ceilings. That is why some people quote 10–30 € “per m² of floor area”.
Paint quality
medium
First-grade emulsions, anti-mould and eco paints cost more.
Empty or furnished home
medium
Protecting and moving furniture adds hours.
Height and special surfaces
medium
High ceilings, stairwells, railings and woodwork are charged separately.
03Regional differences
The prices we found come mostly from Athens (e.g. interior painting 5–7 €/m², with skim coat 10–12 €/m²) and from national renovation guides. In the regions labour prices are often slightly lower. Paints cost the same everywhere. Demand rises before Easter and in September.
04Tips before you pay
- Ask for a price per m² of wall <em>and</em> a total, so you can compare quotes properly.
- Ask which brand and paint range will be used and how many coats.
- If the paints are the same, an empty home is painted faster and cheaper, so paint before you move in.
- For damp, fix the cause first. Otherwise the painting will need doing again within a year.
- Ask in writing whether doors, frames and radiators are included.
05Frequently asked questions
How much does painting cost per m²?
About 4–8 €/m² of surface for primer and two coats, 8–15 €/m² with skim coating. For the ceiling 6–12 €/m².
How much does it cost to paint an 80 m² apartment?
Market guides give about 1,500–3,500 € or 1,500–4,000 €, depending on the condition of the walls and whether the ceilings are painted too.
Why do some people say 10–30 € per m²?
Because they calculate per m² of floor area and not per m² of wall. The two numbers cannot be compared directly.
How much does exterior painting cost?
About 10–20 €/m². Scaffolding or a cherry picker is usually charged extra.
How many days does it take?
An empty 80 m² apartment without major repairs is usually painted in 3–5 working days. With skim coating it takes longer.
Is it worth painting it myself?
For one room with good walls, yes, since you pay only for paint and tools. For skim coating, ceilings and shades that meet, a professional makes the difference.
06Sources
Prices are indicative, do not constitute an offer and may vary by area and professional. Last checked: October 2026.
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