Greece Introduces Seasonal Cruise Passenger Fee to Combat Overtourism

Greece has unveiled a new disembarkation fee for cruise passengers arriving at its ports and islands, commencing on July 21, 2025. This initiative seeks to address the issues of overtourism by generating revenue for local infrastructure and environmental management.

The fee structure varies by season and port, imposing the highest charges on popular tourist destinations like Mykonos and Santorini during the peak summer months. From June 1 to September 30, passengers disembarking at these islands will need to pay EUR 20 each, while other Greek ports will charge EUR 5. In the shoulder season (April 1 – May 31 and October), the rates drop to EUR 12 for Mykonos and Santorini, and EUR 3 elsewhere. During the winter months (November 1 – March 31), the fees will be EUR 4 on the major islands and EUR 1 at other ports.

Cruise operators are tasked with collecting and remitting these fees through an electronic platform quarterly, facing penalties for non-compliance that can include being barred from future port visits. According to MSC Cruises, the fee will only be charged when passengers disembark and will be deducted from their onboard accounts if they do not visit ashore.

The Greek government anticipates that the new fees will yield over EUR 50 million per year, considering that over 8 million cruise passengers disembarked in Greek ports in 2024. The generated revenue will be utilized for port maintenance, waste management, and local services across municipalities along the coasts of the islands.

This measure is part of a broader strategy to alleviate the economic pressures tourism places on local infrastructure, stated Prime Minister Mitsotakis. He noted that while overtourism affects only a few select destinations, immediate actions are needed to protect local communities and their environments. Travel experts caution that families on cruises visiting Mykonos, Santorini, and additional islands during peak season could face approximately EUR 260 in extra fees for a family of four.

Despite this, analysts contend that the fee levels are not likely to deter mass tourism to these iconic destinations. Similar visitor surcharges have been implemented in other European cities like Venice, Dubrovnik, and Amsterdam, where measures have been adopted to control overtourism. In addition, Greece is exploring further steps, including limiting the number of cruise ship arrivals and managing berth schedules, particularly in Santorini and Mykonos.

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