Cruise passengers arriving in Greece will be subject to a new tax starting 1 July 2025, as part of a law passed in 2024. The tax, which varies by destination and season, aims to tackle overtourism and support local infrastructure development.
Passengers visiting the popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini will pay the highest rates. Between July and September, visitors will be charged €20 per person per visit. This fee drops to €12 during the shoulder seasons in April, May and October, and to €4 during the winter months of November through March.
In other cruise destinations across Greece, charges will range from €1 to €5 per passenger, depending on the time of year.
The new cruise tax will apply per visit and per person. Details about how the tax will be collected and which authority will oversee enforcement have yet to be finalised, according to Greek news outlet iEidiseis.
Revenue from the tax is expected to reach between €50 million and €100 million annually. Funds will be distributed between local municipalities and the Ministries of Shipping and Tourism.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “Greece does not have a structural overtourism problem … Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with.”
The move follows an initiative by Vasilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, and comes as Greece continues to attract millions of cruise visitors each year.