Greece has rolled out a new tourism fee aimed at managing the heavy impact of cruise tourism on its most-visited islands.
Starting Monday, 21 July, cruise passengers who disembark on Greek islands must pay a “sustainable tourism fee”.
The fee varies based on the season and how popular the port is.
Higher fees during peak season
From 1 June to 30 September:
Passengers arriving in Mykonos or Santorini will pay €20 ($36).
Passengers stopping at other island ports will pay €5 ($9).
Lower charges in off season
From 1 October to 31 May:
The fee drops to €12 for Mykonos and Santorini.
At all other ports, the fee lowers to €3 ($5) per passenger.
How will the fee be collected?
Cruise companies and agents must pay the fee through a dedicated digital platform. They will submit payments on a quarterly basis. If they fail to pay, port authorities can deny ships permission to disembark passengers.
Why is Greece introducing the fee?
Greek officials introduced the fee in response to growing concerns over overtourism. In 2023, Mykonos hosted 768 cruise ships and welcomed around 1.29 million tourists, according to the Hellenic Ports Association.
By introducing this new charge, Greece aims to fund infrastructure upgrades, support local communities, and reduce the strain mass tourism places on fragile island environments.
