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4h ago

34 Greek Islands Seek Authority to Charge Day Visitors and Set Caps

Local officials say day-trippers overwhelm water, waste and energy systems, prompting a push for entry fees to fund basic services.

Touristen beobachten den Sonnenuntergang von Mykonos aus.
34 griechische Inseln fordern ein Eintrittsgeld für Gäste, um die Kosten zu decken.

Overview

  • South Aegean municipalities have sent a formal request to Athens, addressed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, asking for legal permission to levy day-visitor charges.
  • Government officials are reviewing the proposal, which follows similar measures adopted in parts of Europe such as Venice’s €5 day fee.
  • Symi’s mayor proposes a €3 per-person charge to help cover waste, water and energy costs, with the island receiving roughly 5,000 day visitors daily.
  • Santorini’s mayor has floated a daily cap of 8,000 day-trippers, noting that cruise passengers already pay €20 there and on Mykonos, with €5 charged on other Greek islands.
  • The initiative covers 34 Aegean destinations including Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kos, Paros, Naxos, Symi and Sifnos, while tourism businesses warn fees could reduce visitor numbers and revenue.