Planning A Trip To Popular Greek Islands? You Will Now Have To Pay Additional Fee

Greece is the ultimate spot for a dreamy island vacation - surrounded by rich culture, ancient history, vibrant art and delicious food. However, cruising through the picturesque Greek islands has gotten a bit more expensive. Greece has introduced a new "sustainable tourism fee" that came into effect on July 21, 2025, reported euronews. The move is part of the government's effort to tackle overtourism and fund improvements to local infrastructure, especially on islands like Mykonos and Santorini, which see overwhelming footfall from cruise ships. According to the Hellenic Ports Association, Mykonos alone received 768 cruise ships and nearly 1.3 million tourists last year, which can add pressure to the island's infrastructure.

How Much Will Passengers Have To Pay?

The fee will be charged per cruise passenger at each port where they disembark, and the amount varies depending on the season and the port. The highest charges are being applied to Mykonos and Santorini. Here's how the charges break down:

High season (June 1 to September 30):

• 20 euros per person for Mykonos and Santorini
• 5 euros for all other Greek island ports

Shoulder season (April 1 to May 31 and October):

• 12 euros for Mykonos and Santorini
• 3 euros for other ports

Winter season (November 1 to March 31):

• 4 euros for Mykonos and Santorini
• 1 euro for other ports

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How Is The Cruise Tax Payment Done In Greece 

Cruise operators or their agents are responsible for declaring and paying the fees through a dedicated digital platform. They will then pay the fees they have accrued from passenger disembarkations quarterly. Failure to comply may result in port authorities barring cruise ships from docking or allowing disembarkation.

Also Read: Norway To Introduce New Tourist Tax In 2026 To Curb Overtourism: All You Need To Know

While this new tax will increase travel costs for cruisers, Greek authorities hope it will pave the way for more sustainable tourism and better preservation of its iconic island destinations.