Greece Introduces Cruise Passenger Levy to Support Ports, Municipalities, and Tourism

Greece is set to generate an estimated €50 million annually through a new levy on cruise ship passengers, announced Deputy Minister for Shipping and Island Policy Stefanos Gkikas during an interview with ERT’s “GPS of Current Affairs”.

The fee will vary depending on seasonality and port destination, with high-traffic islands such as Mykonos and Santorini charging €20 per passenger during peak summer months, while smaller ports will apply a reduced fee of €5. During off-peak seasons, charges will decrease accordingly.

Revenue will be equally distributed among local municipalities, port infrastructure upgrades, and the Ministry of Tourism, marking what Gkikas described as a “strategic investment” rather than a simple tax.

Using his own constituency of Corfu as an example, Gkikas projected revenue of up to €1.2 million in 2025, with 850,000 cruise visitors expected.

Regarding a separate proposal by the Mayor of Symi to charge a €3 entrance fee for day-trippers, Gkikas said the plan was unlikely to proceed under current conditions, noting it falls under the jurisdiction of the Tourism Ministry.

On broader policy issues, Gkikas revealed that 1,000 new Coast Guard officers will be hired within the next year to address a shortfall of personnel, as only 8,000 currently serve, compared to 9,500 authorized positions.

He also addressed security and migration, warning that 10,000 irregular migrant arrivals had been recorded in a span of just two weeks, calling for strict monitoring and reinforced border control.

Touching on Greek-Turkish relations, Gkikas expressed concern over Turkey’s ongoing presence in Libya, emphasizing the importance of strategic readiness in an evolving regional landscape.

Source: pagenews.gr