Since January 1, 2025, an amendment to the law on residence taxes has come into force in Greece, which will now be called the ECOLOGICAL TAX or a tax for managing the climate crisis.

Due to the major natural disasters that have struck Greece in recent years (fires, floods, etc.), it has been decided to rename and repurpose the residence tax into an ecological tax, the funds from which will be invested in ecology, specifically to manage climate crises.

Accommodation users in Greece pay the ECOLOGICAL (formerly residence) tax depending on the category of accommodation in which they stay. The ecological tax is paid upon arrival at the accommodation unit, to the accommodation owner or receptionist. In order to pay the ecological tax, the owner or receptionist is obliged to provide the guest with a receipt. The ecological tax is paid per room, not per person, for the number of nights you spend at the accommodation. VAT is not calculated.

The ecological tax from April to October in apartments/studios amounts to €2.00 (two euros) per apartment/studio, per night (not per person).

The price of the ecological tax for staying in hotels with:

  • one or two stars is €2 per night, per apartment/studio (not per person).
  • three stars is €5, per night, per apartment/studio (not per person).
  • four stars is €10, per night, per apartment/studio (not per person).
  • five stars is €15, per night, per apartment/studio (not per person).

For the rental of family houses up to eighty (80) m2, a fee of €8 per night is charged, and for those over eighty (80) m2 the fee is €15 per night.

To see the official page with information about the taxes, click here: link

When and how is the ecological (formerly tourist) tax in Greece paid?

The tax is paid directly at the accommodation facility, upon arrival or check-out. The accommodation facility (hotel, apartment or villa) is required to issue you with a receipt containing the guest’s name, dates of stay, date of issue and amount of the tax paid, thus ensuring transparency and legal allocation of funds.

Our advice

Before paying the tax, ask if you will receive a receipt. It is important to receive a receipt, because only then can you be sure that your money is going for the intended purpose - repairing damage caused by climate change.

What if we are vacationing with another family in the same apartment?

No worries! The tax is not charged per person, but per accommodation unit and is calculated on a daily basis, regardless of the number of guests.

Cruise ship passengers also pay the tax!

Passengers disembarking in Mykonos and Santorini will pay €20 in the high season (June–September), while in other ports the fee will be €5. In periods of lower demand (April, May and October) the fee will be 40% lower, while in the winter months (November–March) it will be reduced by 80%.

Controversies and challenges

Implementation: Some accommodation owners, especially in the private sector, avoid charging the fee or do not issue an invoice, which calls into question the efficiency of collection.

Burden on tourists: The increase in the fee has drawn criticism, as it places an additional burden on tourists’ budgets and could affect the competitiveness of Greek tourism.

Lack of preventive measures: Some members of the public believe that the revenue should be directed more towards preventive measures to reduce the risks of climate change, rather than just repairing damage.

Climate Change Prevention and Mitigation Measures in Greece

Greece has recently taken significant steps towards preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change, including plans to improve infrastructure and sustainable development.
National Energy and Climate Plan

In October 2024, Greece presented a revised plan with more ambitious targets for renewable energy sources. The plan foresees that 82% of electricity will come from renewable sources by 2030, an increase from the previous target of 66%. The plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 58.6% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Island Decarbonization Fund

In November 2024, Greece established the Island Decarbonization Fund, worth around €1.6 billion, with the aim of financing sustainable investments that will strengthen the energy autonomy of the islands. This fund will support projects such as the development of renewable energy sources, sustainable water management and the promotion of electromobility.

Greece has also launched the GR-eco Islands programme, which aims to transform the islands into international models of green and sustainable development. These initiatives include projects to improve energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources and protect biodiversity.

The example of the island of Astypalaia

Astypalaia has become a pilot project in this programme, where the Volkswagen Group has supported the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. The aim is for Astypalaia to become a completely carbon-neutral island by 2026.
These plans and initiatives demonstrate Greece’s commitment not only to repairing the damage caused by climate change, but also to taking a proactive approach to its prevention and mitigation.

Desertification Prevention Plan for Thessaly

In March 2024, scientists warned that the region of Thessaly is at risk of desertification (the transformation of land into a desert) due to climate change. In response, a master plan for the restoration of the area has been developed, which includes measures for sustainable water resource management and adaptation of agricultural practices to prevent an ecological disaster.

Thessaly, known as the “breadbasket of Greece,” is a key agricultural region, important for the production of wheat, corn, cotton and other crops. However, the region faces a serious risk of desertification, which is already evident in some areas, especially in the central parts, where the soils have lost their fertility and become dry and barren. Similar problems have been observed in the southern Peloponnese and in parts of Crete, which are also at risk.