Three rule changes for UK tourists in new Greece bill including £12 'per night' fee

A new tourism bill lodged in Greece increases the tax charged to holidaymakers in all holiday accommodations and introduces a new levy for cruise passengers.

The measures in the bill, titled 'Measures to Boost Income, Tax Incentives for Innovation and Business Transformations and Other Provisions', aim to control tourism and tackle climate change.

The plan also proposes suspending new short-term rental licenses, including those issued for holiday lets, in central Athens for a year. The ban would impact three municipal districts in the historic centre.

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The tax bill also includes plans to raise the Climate Resilience Fee charged to tourists who stay in hotels, Airbnb-type rentals, rooms for rent and other hospitality units. The amount paid will still depend on the type and star-rating of the accommodation and will vary seasonally.

From April to October, the fee will increase from 10 euros per night for five-star accommodations to 15 euros per night, the equivalent of around £12.50. Tourists staying in four-star hotels will pay 10 euros per night, three-star hotels will charge five euros per night and one and two star hotels will charge two euros in tax per night.

Furnished rooms and apartments will charge two euros per night, short-term rental properties will require an eight euro per night fee and detached homes for short-term rental will charge the maximum 15 euros per night, as will furnished villas.

Outside of the peak months, from November to March, the fee will reduce to 0.5 euros per night in one and two star hotels, 1.5 euros per night in three star hotels, three euros per night in four star hotels and four euros per night in five star hotels.

The tax charged at short-term rental properties will drop to two euros per night during these months and detached homes for short-term rental and tourist villas will charge four euros.

Meanwhile, a new cruise passenger levy will be charged to holidaymakers disembarking at Greek ports. The fee will range from one to 20 euros per passenger, depending on the location and season.