Greece has introduced a new tourist tax on cruise passengers docking at popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos. Ships will now be charged 20 euros ($23.62) per passenger, while those visiting smaller islands will pay five euros each, according to france24.com.
“In accordance with the law, the tax will be applied in Santorini, Mykonos and other islands in lesser measures,” a finance ministry spokesman told AFP.
The tax applies during the peak season, from June 1 to September 30, and is expected to generate up to 50 million euros annually. The move follows similar actions in Europe to manage rising tourism. Venice recently began charging day visitors, while Spain is cracking down on illegal rentals and limiting tourist vehicles in places like Ibiza.
Greece says the revenue will help improve overwhelmed infrastructure, particularly ports that struggle with multiple ship arrivals. Cruise tourism in Greece is booming, with 7.9 million passengers in 2024—up 13.2% from the previous year.
Santorini and Mykonos each saw over 1.3 million visitors in 2024, despite daily caps on cruise arrivals. Santorini continues to battle overcrowding, traffic, water shortages, and pollution.
Some locals complain cruise passengers stay only briefly and spend little. Others, like the head of the local port authority, oppose the tax altogether.
Athanasios Kousathanas-Megas urged the government to delay the rollout, saying the tax creates “unfair competition” between islands.
The cruise industry argues it contributes significantly to Greece’s economy, with passengers generating about $2 billion annually.
Greece welcomed 40.7 million tourists in 2024, up 12.8% from the year before.
Source: france24.com
