Greece plans to impose a 20-euro levy on cruise ship visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season.
Greece intends to introduce a 20-euro fee for cruise ship visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer months, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of overtourism, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday.
Tourism is a vital component of Greece’s economy, which is still in the process of recovery following a decade-long crisis that resulted in a significant reduction of its economic output. However, certain popular locations, such as Santorini—known for its charming villages and beautiful beaches and home to approximately 20,000 residents—are at risk of being adversely affected by the influx of tourists.
During a press conference held the day after he presented his primary economic strategies for 2025, Mitsotakis emphasized that the issue of excessive tourism is confined to a limited number of destinations.
“Greece does not face a systemic overtourism challenge… Some locations experience considerable pressure during specific weeks or months, which we must address,” he stated.
He further noted, “The cruise industry has placed a strain on Santorini and Mykonos, which is why we are implementing these measures,” while announcing the new levy.
In 2023, Greece’s tourism revenue reached approximately 20 billion euros, supported by nearly 31 million tourist arrivals.
In Santorini, there have been calls from protesters for restrictions on tourism, similar to movements in other well-known European tourist spots like Venice and Barcelona.
Mitsotakis indicated that a portion of the revenue generated from the cruise tax would be allocated back to local communities for infrastructure development.
The government also aims to regulate the number of cruise ships permitted to dock simultaneously at certain locations, while also enforcing environmental protections and addressing water scarcity issues on the islands.
Additionally, Greece plans to raise taxes on short-term rentals and impose a ban on new licenses for such rentals in central Athens to enhance the availability of housing for permanent residents, Mitsotakis stated on Saturday.
