As of Monday, July 21, a new “sustainable tourism fee” has been implemented for cruise passengers disembarking at ports across Greece. The seasonal charge varies depending on the island and aims to alleviate the pressure of overtourism on the country’s most visited destinations.
Parga Island/Calin Stan/Unsplash
What cruise passengers can expect to pay
Cruise ship on Greek waters/Shai Pal/Unsplash
The disembarkation fee differs by season and location:
-
Peak season (1 June – 30 September):
€20 for Mykonos and Santorini (R415)
€5 for all other ports (R104)
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Shoulder seasons (1 April – 31 May and October):
€12 for Mykonos and Santorini (R250)
€3 for other islands (R62)
-
Winter season (1 November – 31 March):
€4 for Mykonos and Santorini (R83)
€1 for all other ports (R21)
The fee is charged per passenger and disembarkation port, meaning those visiting multiple islands may incur multiple charges.
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Why Mykonos and Santorini cost more
Mykonos/Ana Cristina Smith/Unsplash
These two islands are among Greece’s most popular cruise stops, but their small infrastructures are under strain from rising tourist numbers. The higher fee is intended to manage visitor flow and contribute to infrastructure improvements.
How the fee is collected
Cruise companies or their agents are responsible for reporting and paying the fees through a government-run digital platform. Payments will be made quarterly.
Non-compliance comes with strict penalties: port authorities are authorised to block cruise ships from docking or disembarking passengers if the required fees are not paid.
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