Greece to Impose €20 Port Tax on Cruise Passengers in Summer

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently unveiled plans to implement a new €20 ($22) port tax for each cruise passenger disembarking on popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. This represents a significant increase from the previous fee of 35 cents. The new tax will only apply during the peak summer months.

Although tourism makes up around 20% of Greece’s revenue, the government has decided to scale back tourism numbers due to the strain on local infrastructure and communities. In addition to the new port tax, restrictions will also be placed on the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at these destinations.

This decision is in line with broader efforts across Europe to regulate cruise tourism as traffic nears pre-pandemic levels.

Santorini, in particular, saw an overwhelming influx of tourists during the height of cruise season this July, with local authorities advising residents to stay indoors to accommodate the surge. Despite efforts to cap visitor numbers at 8,000 per day, there were days when the island saw as many as 17,000 visitors.

The new port tax is part of a broader government initiative to address local concerns. Mitsotakis also announced plans to raise short-term rental taxes and limit new permit issuance to help control property prices and support local residents. Additionally, stricter regulations will be introduced to curb the rapid construction of villas, which has led to water shortages and soaring property values.