Greece Confirms New Cruise Tax from July 2025

Greece. Picture Credit: Shutterstock
From July 2025, travellers heading to Greece on a cruise will face a new passenger tax, part of the country’s efforts to manage growing tourism and protect its most popular island destinations.

Announced by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), the new levy will apply to all cruise passengers disembarking in Greece, with the highest charges reserved for Santorini and Mykonos, two of the country's most iconic and overvisited islands.
 

What Cruise Passengers Need to Know

The tax will vary depending on the port and the time of year:
 

• High Season (July to September):
• €20 per person for Santorini and Mykonos
• €5 per person for all other Greek ports

• Mid and Low Seasons:
• €12 per person for Santorini and Mykonos
• €3 per person elsewhere

At current exchange rates, that’s around £17 for Santorini and Mykonos in peak summer and £4.20 at other ports. It's still unclear whether passengers will pay this tax directly or if cruise lines will absorb and manage the cost.
 

Why Is Greece Introducing the Tax?

According to the GNTO, the new cruise tax is aimed at supporting local infrastructure and ensuring that Greek island communities benefit more directly from the cruise industry. In places like Santorini and Mykonos, visitor numbers have been steadily rising, placing intense pressure on local resources, transport, and public services.

The tourism body says the measure reflects the need for a sustainable balance between tourism and the carrying capacity of each destination, while also working to protect the quality of the visitor experience.
 

Sustainability Meets Tourism

The announcement is part of a broader conversation across Europe about how to manage mass tourism in an era where overtourism threatens cultural landmarks, local life, and the environment.

For travellers, the tax may be a small price to pay for cleaner streets, improved infrastructure, and better crowd control. For locals, it’s a step toward making tourism more manageable and meaningful.
 

Final Details Still to Come

As of now, details on how the tax will be collected remain unclear. Cruise lines may choose to incorporate the fee into ticket prices or pass it on to guests as an additional charge. The GNTO is expected to confirm the collection method in the coming months.

For those planning cruises to Greece in summer 2025 and beyond, it’s worth keeping this new cost in mind when budgeting. Though a minor addition to the total trip cost, it reflects a bigger shift toward more responsible and sustainable tourism in one of Europe’s most beloved destinations.

---