The British Independent gave international coverage to the increase in the cruise tax to €20 per passenger disembarking from cruise ships on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. The newspaper interviewed British tourists assuming the measure would start from July 1st, before the announcement of the postponement to July 21st was made.
British tourist statements to the Independent
Michelle Power, speaking from Mykonos to the British newspaper Independent camera, emphasized that it’s a very beautiful island that everyone deserves to visit. For this reason, she doesn’t consider the €20 cruise tax to be a deterrent factor for visitors.
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Official launch of the new cruise tax on July 21
The increased cruise passenger tax will finally take effect from July 21st following the signing of the joint ministerial decision by the Ministers of Finance, Maritime Affairs and Tourism on Tuesday, July 1st. The tax is imposed in favor of the State on passengers disembarking at the country’s ports from commercial pleasure vessels operating cruise tours, according to article 42 of Law 4256/2014.
Seasonal differentiation of cruise tax rates
The cruise tax varies by season to provide incentives for voyages in periods other than peak months while simultaneously creating disincentives for periods like July and August.
The cruise tax amounts to:
- For the period from June 1st to September 30th: €20 for Mykonos and Santorini, €5 for other ports
- For the period from October 1st to 31st and from April 1st to May 31st: €12 for Mykonos and Santorini, €3 for other ports
- For the winter period from November 1st to March 31st: €4 for Mykonos and Santorini, €1 for other ports
Payment obligations and submission process
The cruise tax will be imposed per passenger and per port. Those obligated to pay are the cruise company and the shipping agent or Greek management company at the time of tax imposition, as applicable, and their legal representatives. Shipping agents must declare the necessary information on the day of cruise ship departure from each port where passengers disembarked through a relevant electronic application that has been developed and operates normally.
Controls and penalties for cruise tax compliance
Tax payment is made quarterly through electronic payment slips issued exclusively through an electronic application operated by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy. The Ministry can conduct random checks through port authorities to ensure proper tax payment. If non-payment or incorrect payment is discovered, those responsible receive a strict warning and if they don’t comply, the undeclared amount will be assessed. By decision of the Maritime Minister, following a reasoned recommendation from the competent port authority, passenger disembarkation can be prohibited in subsequent calls of the cruise ship in question.
