Traveling to Greece in 2025? Here’s What You Should Know

A few changes are coming for tourists traveling to Greece in 2025 and beyond. While some of these changes have already gone into effect, others are on the horizon and expected to launch during the year. It's important to understand what changes are coming and how they might impact your upcoming excursion.

In 2023 alone, Greece saw some 36 million tourists (according to Statista), over three times the country's population. This tourism is important to Greece's economy, and prioritizing the safety and success of local businesses, as well as the flow of people is key.

If you're one of the lucky people to have Greece grace your 2025 itinerary, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind before you head off.

Greece is increasing the tourism tax

Having already gone into effect on January 1, 2025, travelers should plan to pay an increased tourism tax depending on their accommodations. This tax includes various types of lodging, including hotel stays and short-term rentals like Airbnb.

The tax isn't the same across the board though; it varies by the type of accommodation as well as the time of year.

During the height of tourist season (April through October), tourists can expect to be charged the following in taxes:

Short term rentals (April through October)

Short-term rental properties: 8 € per night

Furnished rooms/apartments: 2 € per night

Detached home short-term rental (over 80 sq m): 15 € per night

Furnished tourist residences over 80 sq m: 15 € per night

Furnished tourist residences under 80 sq m: 8 € per night

Furnished tourist villas: 15 € per night

Hotels (April through October)

1-2 star hotels: 2 € per night

3-star hotels: 5 € per night

4-star hotels: 10 € per night

5-star hotels: 15 € per night

In the low tourist season, from November to March, the taxes will be:

Short-term rentals (November through March)

Short-term rental properties: 2 € per night

Furnished rooms/apartments: 0.50 € per night

Detached home short-term rental (over 80 sq m): 4 € per night

Furnished tourist residences over 80 sq m: 4 € per night

Furnished tourist residences under 80 sq m: 2 € per night

Furnished tourist villas: 4 € per night

Hotels (November through March)

1-2 star hotels: 0.50 € per night

3-star hotels: 1.5 € per night

4-star hotels: 3 € per night

5-star hotels: 4 € per night

Make sure you pay close attention to the listing details when you are booking your accommodations, as the total price may not include this tax.

It's also important to check when and how this tax will need to be paid, by cash or card for example.

Is this tax new?

No, tourist taxes are not new in Greece, they're simply increasing.

Why is Greece increasing its tourism taxes?

This new bill was introduced to the Greek Parliament in 2024 in an effort to address the country's infrastructure for tourism and climate change.

According to the local source Greek Travel Pages, revenue generated from this increase will go to climate change adaptation, disaster prevention, and improving local infrastructure.

Greece's new cruise tax

If you're planning to see Greece via ship, you may be required to pay a tax of as much as 20 euros per person, depending on factors like the port(s) - especially in high-demand locations like Santorini and Mykonos.

Included in the bill to increase taxes, this new levy will also support Greece's tourism infrastructure and has already gone into effect.

Pre-travel authorization will be required

Arguably the most significant change facing travelers, tourists who are not traveling to Greece on a visa will be required to apply for pre-travel authorization.

This new policy will impact travelers from the US, UK, Canada, and other countries that have a visa agreement with the Schengen area. This means that US citizens, UK citizens, and millions of other tourists will have to apply for authorization before entering the Schengen area (which Greece is a part of).

ETIAS is expected to launch in 2025

What authorization do I need to travel to Greece?

To travel to Greece without a visa, non-EU citizens will need to apply through the official ETIAS website once operations have launched. ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System. This system is entirely online, making it quick and easy for travelers to apply for approval.

Ahead of your trip to Greece, or anywhere in the Schengen area for that matter, you will need to apply for ETIAS. On the official website, you'll be required to input your details, such as your name and passport number.

After sharing your traveler information, you'll need to answer a few personal questions, such as your highest level of education and your current occupation.

Once you've provided all of the requested information, you'll then be prompted to pay a 7 euro fee online.

Approval is usually given in just a couple of minutes, but it can take longer (14 or even 30 days depending on the situation), so make sure you add this to-do to your travel checklist and cross it off well before your travel date.

All that said, if you are traveling to Greece with a Schengen visa, you do not need to apply for ETIAS. ETIAS is only needed for non-EU travelers who do not have a valid Schengen visa.

How will ETIAS impact Schengen visa applications?

Citizens of some countries, such as China and India, require a Schengen visa in order to travel to Greece, whether they're visiting for a short tourist trip or something else. Will there be more visa applications with ETIAS? Fewer? And will ETIAS impact these applications at all?

No, ETIAS shouldn't impact Schengen visa applications. While both ETIAS and Schengen visas address similar topics (the authorization to enter the Schengen area), they're for two different traveler scenarios.

ETIAS is only for non-EU citizens who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area. ETIAS isn't a visa and does not replace the Schengen visa, nor is it a substitute.

Citizens who previously required a visa in order to travel to Greece (and the Schengen area) will still need to apply for a Schengen visa. ETIAS won't change how many people apply for Schengen visas, or the outcome of their applications.

The EU releases data annually about visa approval and rejection ratings. In 2023, Greece received 627,008 visa applications globally. Of those, 14.57% were rejected.

How can travelers prepare for these changes?

If you're traveling to Greece in 2025, it will be important to keep an eye out for any updates from the Greek government as well as the EU, especially for the official start date of ETIAS.

When it comes to taxes, carefully review your hotel or rental listings to ensure you understand the total tax you'll be required to pay and when and how you'll need to pay it (in addition to the accommodation rate).

The same goes for cruises. If you're planning to set sail (literally), double-check the website to ensure you're aware of imposed levies at any ports and how those fees will be collected.

Make sure you're following Insurte for the latest travel updates, regulations, and tips in the Schengen zone.

Key Takeaways

• Greece has increased its tourism taxes for hotels and short-term rentals.
• The tax varies depending on the type of accommodation and time of year.
• Greece has imposed a per-person cruise levy for ships arriving at popular destinations like Santorini or Mykonos.
• UK and US citizens (among others) will need pre-travel authorization before traveling to Greece beginning in 2025 (it's called ETIAS)