Greece will introduce a new cruise passenger fee starting July 1, 2025, with rates reaching 20 euros per person at the country’s most popular island ports, Santorini and Mykonos. The move is part of a broader effort to manage high visitor volume and fund much-needed infrastructure upgrades.
The levy, approved under Law 5162/2024, aims to ease pressure on heavily trafficked destinations while boosting public revenue to support tourism-related infrastructure projects both locally and nationally.
Although the fee was initially scheduled to take effect in June, the rollout was postponed due to a drop in tourist traffic to Santorini following seismic activity earlier this year. With conditions stabilizing and visitor numbers rebounding, authorities confirmed that implementation will proceed as of July.
Cruise passenger fee structure
The fee is charged per passenger, per port and varies by destination and season:
Peak season (June 1 – September 30):
– Santorini & Mykonos: 20 euros
– All other ports: 5 euros
Shoulder season (April 1 – May 31 & October 1 – 31):
– Santorini & Mykonos: 12 euros
– All other ports: 3 euros
Low season (November 1 – March 31):
– Santorini & Mykonos: 4 euros
– All other ports: 1 euro
The fee is collected at the point of disembarkation and is not subject to VAT. Revenues will be allocated to enhance port infrastructure, support sustainable tourism initiatives, and fund local development.
Revenue allocation breakdown
Funds raised from the cruise fee will be divided equally across three entities:
– One-third to local municipalities where ports are located, for tourism and infrastructure projects.
– One-third to the Maritime Ministry.
– One-third to the Tourism Ministry.
According to the government, this distribution is designed to ensure that revenue supports both immediate local needs and broader national objectives for sustainable tourism growth.
Record cruise traffic in 2024
The new levy comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for Greece’s cruise sector.
According to the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), a total of 5,490 cruise ships arrived at 48 Greek port destinations in 2024, bringing in 7.93 million passengers — a 13.2 percent increase in traffic and 5 percent rise in ship arrivals compared to 2023.
Leading ports by passenger numbers included Piraeus with 1.73 million passengers, Santorini with 1.34 million, Mykonos with 1.29 million, and followed by Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes, and Katakolo.
Piraeus also led in ship arrivals (810), followed by Mykonos (768) and Santorini (750).
Moreover, many ports posted significant year-over-year gains in 2024 with Piraeus leading with +230,000 passengers (15.3 percent increase) and followed by Mykonos with +100,229 (8.4 percent increase), Chania with +62,202 (29 percent increase), Santorini with +46,869 (4 percent increase) and Katakolo with +10,168 (5 percent increase).
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