The new tax came into force in Greece today applied to cruise passengers disembarking in national ports, to whom will be asked to pay up to 20 euros, which had been announced last September by the government of Athens with the aim of supporting local communities affected by the impact of the tourist traffic, but also to finance port infrastructure and the promotion of tourism products, and that had been poorly received by the cruise association CLIA ( of the 11th September 2024).

From the tax, which is being introduced for the first time in Greece, are excluded are passengers who disembark for health reasons and members of the ships' crews. In addition, the amount of the tax varies depending on the period and the port of call, with an amount that in the high season (1 June - 30 September) it is equal to to 20 euros for the ports of Mykonos and Santorini and five euros for the other Greek ports, in the period 1 par 31 May and 1 to 31 October is equal to 12 euros for the ports of Mykonos and Santorini and three euros for other ports and in the period 1 November to 31 March it is equal to four euros for the ports of Mykonos and Santorini and one euro for the other ports.

The tax is the responsibility of the passenger and must be collected by the cruise company or shipping agency that represents the cruise service and paid quarterly to the State. According to forecasts, the tax will generate revenues equal to to 52 million euros per year, which will be allocated in part to the municipalities where the ports of disembarkation are located and partly to the State.