Greece Imposes £17 Cruise Tax on Mykonos, Santorini to Manage Tourism

Greece will implement a new cruise passenger tax starting July 21, 2025, aimed at managing overcrowding and promoting sustainable tourism on popular islands such as Mykonos and Santorini. The fee will be €20 (approximately £17) at major ports and €5 at less frequented ones, targeting cruise passengers who contribute to sudden spikes in local demand and strain on infrastructure. This move comes amid a surge in tourism, with Greece welcoming 40.7 million visitors in 2024, generating around €21.6 billion in revenue, but many locals feel they do not benefit and face rising housing costs and environmental challenges. Cruise lines like MSC Cruises will collect the tax from passengers and remit it to Greek authorities, adding the fee to onboard accounts, with exemptions if passengers choose not to disembark. The government expects to raise €50 million annually from the tax to invest in local infrastructure and sustainable tourism initiatives. These measures reflect Greece's broader efforts to balance economic gains from tourism with the preservation of community welfare and natural resources.