A new tax on cruise passengers has come into effect on the two most popular Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini.
As demand continues to grow, especially with Santorini recently listed among the Top 25 Islands to Explore by Cruise in 2025 by National Geographic Traveller, authorities have introduced measures to preserve the islands’ unique character and protect their increasingly strained local infrastructure.
The €20 tax per cruise passenger came into effect on 1 July and will apply throughout the peak season until 30 September. The levy is part of Greece’s broader efforts to curb overtourism and safeguard the Cyclades; particularly the port facilities often overwhelmed by daily cruise arrivals.
Those hoping to bypass the tax by visiting in the off-season will still be required to pay: €12 from 1 October to 31 October, and €4 from 1 November to 31 March. Other Greek ports will also apply a cruise tax, though at lower rates: €5 during peak season, €3 in shoulder season, and €1 in the off-season.
Curbing overtourism
Overtourism from cruise ships is a growing challenge affecting not only for Greece but also for countries such as Italy, Spain, France, and Croatia. They each have taken steps in recent years to better manage the issue and protect its local life and heritage.
Former Santorini mayor Nikos Zorzos highlighted this concern last August to the Greek Reporter, saying: ’It is our duty to protect this land from getting its identity altered, and any measures need to be in the direction of ensuring that Santorini will continue to be a great Greek destination’.
The new fee, collected upon disembarkation, aims to help local infrastructure cope with the influx of visitors. Revenues generated, estimated at up to €50 million a year, will be reinvested into port upgrades, waste management, and sustainable tourism projects.
Eleni Scarveli, UK director of the Greek National Tourism Office, explained to The Independent that ‘the levy was introduced to help support the infrastructure of Greece’s most visited islands and ensure that local communities benefit more directly from cruise tourism’. She added that it reflects ‘the need for a more sustainable balance between visitor numbers and the capacity of popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos’.
A delicate balance
According to INSETE’s 2024 Statistical Bulletin, Greece welcomed 7.9 million cruise passengers in 2024, a 13% increase from 2023. Cruise ship arrivals also rose by 5% to 5,490. Santorini recorded 1.34 million arrivals (+4%) and Mykonos 1.29 million (+8.4%). Given that Mykonos has approximately 12,000 permanent residents and Santorini 15,000, these numbers highlight the significant strain on the small islands.
Despite concerns about overtourism, Greece is not turning its back on cruise tourism. In 2023, cruise tourism contributed €2 billion to the domestic economy and €1 billion to the GDP, supporting 22,600 jobs. Cruise tourists account for a fifth of Greece’s total annual visitors.
The sector’s impact goes beyond passengers spending ashore and extends to supplying cruise liners, and shipbuilding activities. While Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced additional measures to manage visitor flows, including potential caps on cruise ship arrivals and visitor quotas. However, he also emphasised earlier this year that overtourism remains a localised issue in Greece, not a nationwide problem.
Tourism plays heavily in Greece’s economy, contributing to approximately 25% of the country’s GDP in 2024, well above the global 9.1% average. That year, the country welcomed 31 million visitors, generating €20 billion in tourism revenue.
Recent government strategies, including taxes on short-term rentals, climate levies, and the new cruise tax, aim to keep tourism sustainable while ensuring that local communities continue to benefit.
