A new sustainable tourism fee began July 21, 2025, affecting all cruise ship passengers disembarking on Greek islands. The aim is to ease overtourism and bolster fragile local infrastructure. Here’s how much you’ll be charged:
📅 Fees by Season & Island
| Season | Mykonos & Santorini | All Other Greek Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Peak (Jun 1 – Sep 30) | €20 per passenger | €5 per passenger |
| Shoulder (Apr 1 – May 31, Oct) | €12 per passenger | €3 per passenger |
| Low Season (Nov 1 – Mar 31) | €4 per passenger | €1 per passenger |
💶 Who Pays and How It’s Collected
- The fee is per person, per port
- Cruise lines or their agents pay the fees quarterly, using a digital platform
- Missed payments? Ports can deny docking rights to vessels that don’t comply
🤔 Why This Matters
- Santorini and Mykonos alone hosted around 1.29 million cruise passengers last year, including 768 ships docking in Mykonos
- The levy supports improvements to transport, sanitation, utilities, and helps mitigate damage from mass tourism
📄 Cruise Lines Speak Out
- MSC Cruises will pre-pay the fee for guests and automatically add it to onboard accounts. Won’t visit port? MSC will refund the amount within 24 hours
- Greek government official: “This tax… supports local infrastructure, promotes sustainable tourism, and improves visitor experience”
Final Take:
While not a game-changer for individual travelers—just €1–20 per disembarkation—the fee is meant to channel support into the places most burdened by tourism. It remains to be seen whether the measure can truly offset the strain on Greece’s most beloved islands.
Interesting read!
thank you for sharing