A new cruise tax has come into effect in Greece, mandatory for passengers disembarking at the popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini.
This measure is aimed at supporting tourism infrastructure and promoting sustainable tourism, similar to the existing tourist tax levied on hotel and apartment stays.
The amount of the tax varies depending on the season and the specific port. From June 1 to September 30, tourists pay €20 for disembarking at the ports of Mykonos and Santorini. In other ports of the country during this period, the rate is €20 for disembarking and €5 for embarking.
From October 1 to May 31, the fee in Mykonos and Santorini is reduced to €12, and in other ports to €3. During the winter season, from November 1 to March 31, the amount is reduced to €4 for these two islands and to €1 in other ports.
The fee is paid by cruise ship passengers, and cruise companies are required to transfer these funds to the authorities. In case of non-payment, port services may prohibit the ship from entering Greek ports.
Despite their small populations, Mykonos and Santorini welcome hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, and the new fee will be an important source of funding for tourism development in these regions.
