New Sustainable Tourism Fee for Cruise Passengers in Greece
Greece has officially implemented its new “sustainable tourism fee” for cruise passengers. The tax, which took effect on July 21, 2025, aims to combat overtourism and fund infrastructure improvements on the country’s most popular islands.
Fee Structure
Cruise passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos during peak season (June 1 to September 30) will pay €20 per person. In contrast, other Greek ports charge €5 during the same period. The fees are significantly lower during off-peak months, dropping to €4 for the popular islands and €1 for other destinations from November to March.
Implementation
Celebrity Cruises has confirmed the tax applies to sailings departing August 1, 2025, and later. The company states the initiative “supports sustainable tourism and aims to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our most visited destinations.” Cruise lines are responsible for collecting the fees and paying Greek authorities quarterly. Port authorities have the power to prohibit ships from calling if companies fail to pay.
Tourism in Greece
The tax comes as Greece welcomed 35.9 million tourists in 2024, not including cruise passengers. This represents a significant increase from 32.7 million in 2023. Mykonos alone received nearly 1.3 million cruise guests and approximately 770 ship calls last year.
Source: https://travel.usnews.com/features/greece-cruise-tax-whos-on-the-hook-for-the-fee