Greece to Introduce EUR 20 Fee for Cruise Tourists Visiting Santorini and Mykonos Starting in 2025

Greece has announced new fees for cruise passengers as part of efforts to manage overtourism and address economic challenges from natural disasters. Starting in 2025, visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos will pay an entry fee of EUR 20 (about USD 21). Other popular destinations like Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes will have a reduced fee of EUR 5 (approximately USD 5.27).

Additionally, tourists who stay overnight in Greece will encounter higher accommodation taxes beginning next year. During the bustling tourist season from April to October, the daily tax will rise significantly from EUR 1.5 (USD 1.58) to EUR 8 (USD 8.41). In the winter months, the tax will also increase from EUR 0.5 (USD 0.53) to EUR 2 (USD 2.11). Taxes for hotel stays will vary depending on the star rating of the establishment, with a potential maximum increase to EUR 15 (USD 16) per night.

The Greek government anticipates that these new measures will generate approximately EUR 400 million (USD 421 million) annually, nearly doubling the amount collected in 2023. The additional funds will go towards the Climate Change Resilience Fund, aimed at supporting the country’s sustainable tourism and disaster management efforts.

Santorini and Mykonos have become increasingly popular cruise destinations, witnessing overwhelming visitor numbers. Last August, Santorini alone recorded over 11,000 cruise visitors in a single day, while Mykonos experienced similar surges, accommodating over 1.2 million cruise passengers collectively in 2023. Santorini hosted around 800 cruise ships last year, illustrating the strain tourism places on local infrastructure.

To further alleviate these issues, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hinted at possible caps on the number of cruise ships allowed to dock from 2025 onwards, complementing the new fees by managing the flow of tourists.

This initiative mirrors global trends, with other countries, including Mexico, adopting similar taxes to foster sustainable tourism and fund resilience programs. For instance, Mexico recently announced a US$42 immigration tax, also effective in 2025.

Greece’s new tax policy demonstrates a growing acknowledgement among popular travel destinations that economic advantages must be balanced with sustainable tourism management.

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