Greece is set to introduce a €20 fee for tourists arriving on cruise ships to its famous islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
According to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, this new charge is a response to the significant surge in visitor numbers, which has strained local infrastructure and the environment, Schengen.News reports.
Greece to Regulate Cruise Ship Numbers & Introduce Environmental Measures
As part of a broader strategy to tackle over-tourism and protect its islands, the Greek government will also regulate the number of cruise ships allowed to visit these islands. Local media reports that new environmental measures are being introduced to address water shortages and other ecological concerns. Revenue from the cruise ship tax will be reinvested into local communities to improve infrastructure.
The country’s government plans to raise the lodging tax during the peak April-to-October period to manage high tourist volumes further. This tax will include a component focused on combating climate change and aims to generate additional revenue for local communities, supporting sustainable practices and infrastructure improvements.
In response to the impact of short-term rentals on Greece’s housing market, the government plans to:
- Ban new short-term leases for at least one year in three key areas of Athens.
- Provide a three-year rental tax exemption for property owners transitioning from short-term to long-term leases.
- Encourage property owners to rent out their homes rather than leaving them vacant.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has voiced ongoing concerns about overtourism, particularly on Greece’s most popular islands.
Santorini to Restrict Daily Cruise Passengers to 8,000
As a result, starting in 2025, the government plans to limit cruise ship visits to better manage visitor numbers. In 2023, Santorini and Mykonos saw a notable rise in cruise ship arrivals, with 800 ships bringing 1.3 million passengers to Santorini alone. Mykonos experienced a 23 per cent increase in cruise ship visits from the previous year.
With a population of about 16,000 Santorini, it has faced challenges due to the high tourist influx, which has led to long queues and crowded streets. Local officials have set a daily limit of 8,000 cruise passengers starting next year.
We live in a place of barely 25,000 souls, and we don’t need any more hotels or any more rented rooms.
With Greece attracting a record 32.7 million tourists last year, these new measures aim to balance tourism growth with environmental and local community needs.
