Greece introduced a new climate resilience levy this month to fund reconstruction efforts in the wake of devastating summer wildfires and the worst flooding in September 2023.
The seasonal tourist tax on accommodation will come into effect during the peak months between March and October.
Despite sector concerns the tax increase may deter visitors, the new climate levy is expected to raise extra revenue of up to €300 million in 2024 and follows other countries that impose additional taxes on tourists, such as the US, Switzerland and Austria.
The nitty-gritty details
Greece’s tourist tax on accommodation will range from €1-4 per night, depending on the official star rating of the property. The higher the rating means a higher fee.
Those staying in apartments or 1- to 2-star hotels will pay €1 and 50c per night ranging up to €7 for 4-star hotels and €10 for 5-star hotels and luxury resorts.
Unlike the existing bed tax, the new climate levy will also apply to online short-term rental bookings.
However, during the low season between November and February, it will be capped at the bed tax pricing level.
The tiered tax system will not be incorporated into prices quoted by operators and must be paid by tourists in euros on arrival at their property.
Hello, Hellenic Republic!
Despite the recent natural disasters, Greece welcomed 23 million international travellers by air from January to October 2023, a 12 per cent increase on 2019 figures according to the Greek Tourism Confederation.
Popular with Aussies, the Mediterranean nation also featured in G Adventures’ top-10 destinations for 2024, according to forward booking data, and ranked in Flight Centre’s top destinations for 2023 across demographics for both air and cruise.
