Fees for vacations in Greece
From January 1, 2025, a change in 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…), it has been decided to rename and repurpose the residence tax into an ecological tax, the funds of which will be invested in ecology, specifically to manage climate crises.
Accommodation users in Greece pay the ECOLOGICAL (previously residence) tax depending on how the accommodation is registered and its category.
The ecological tax is paid upon departure from the accommodation unit, to the accommodation owner or receptionist. For the payment of the ecological tax, the owner or receptionist is required to issue a separate receipt to the guest. Please note that owners may also request payment of the tax upon arrival or during the stay at the accommodation.
The ecological tax is paid per accommodation unit, not per person for the number of nights you stay at the accommodation. VAT is not calculated.
How much is the tax?
From April to October, in apartments/studios, the ecological tax is either 2.00€ (two euros) or 8€ per apartment/studio, per night (not per person).
The amount of the tax depends on how the property is registered in the commercial register of Greece, whether it is registered as a tourist rental or short-term rental. If the accommodation is registered as a tourist property, then the ecological tax is 2€, otherwise it amounts to 8€ per night, per accommodation unit, not per person.
If you wish, we can check the amount of tax in the accommodation you have booked.
The ecological tax for stays in hotels with:
- one or two stars is 2€ per night, per room (not per person).
- three stars is 5€ per night, per room (not per person).
- four stars is 10€ per night, per room (not per person).
- five stars is 15€ per night, per room (not per person).
For the rental of family houses/villas that are: -up to eighty (80) m2, a fee of 8€ per night is charged, and -over eighty (80) m2, the fee is 15€ per night.
For private apartments registered for short-term rental (Airbnb), the tax is also paid per night and amounts to: -8 euros during the summer tariff - from April to October, and -2 euros during the winter tariff - from November to March. This category includes apartments rented through the Airbnb platform.
In summary:
| Apartments and studios | 2.00€ or 8 euros |
| Hotels | 1 and 2 stars 2€ 3 stars 5€ 4 stars 10€ 5 stars 15€ |
| Villas up to 80m2 | 8€ |
| Villas over 80m2 | 15€ |
| Apartments for short-term rental (this includes Airbnb) |
during the summer tariff 8 euros during the winter tariff 2 euros |
View the official website with information about the taxes by clicking here: https://www.taxheaven.gr/circulars/49201/a-1202-2024
When and how is the ecological (previously residence) tax paid in Greece?
The tax is paid directly at the accommodation facility, upon arrival or departure. The accommodation facility (hotel, apartment, or villa) is required to issue you a payment confirmation, which includes the guest’s name, dates of stay, date of issue, and the amount paid for the tax, ensuring transparency and legal allocation of funds.
Our advice:
Before paying the tax ask if you will receive a receipt. It is important to get a receipt, as this is the only way to ensure that your money is used for the purpose for which it is intended - repairing the 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 passengers also pay the tax!
Passengers disembarking on Mykonos and Santorini will pay 20€ during the season (June-September), while in other ports the tax will be 5 €. During periods of lower demand (April, May, and October), the tax will be 40% lower, and 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 tax or issuing a receipt, which raises questions about the effectiveness of collection.
Burden on tourists: the increase in the tax amount has sparked criticism, as it further burdens the tourists’ budget and may affect the competitiveness of Greek tourism.
Lack of preventive measures: some of the public believe that the revenue should be more directed towards preventive measures to reduce the risks of climate change, rather than just towards damage repair.
Measures for prevention and mitigation of climate change in Greece
Greece has recently taken significant steps towards prevention and mitigation of the effects of climate change, including plans for improving infrastructure and sustainable development.
National energy and climate plan
In October 2024, Greece presented a revised plan with more ambitious goals for renewable energy sources. The plan aims for 82% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030, an increase from the previous goal of 66%. This plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 58.6% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Decarbonization Fund for islands
In November 2024, Greece established a Decarbonization Fund for islands, worth around 1.6 billion euros, aimed at 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 resource management, and the promotion of electromobility.
Greece has also launched the GR-eco Islands program, which aims to transform islands into international models of green and sustainable development. These initiatives include projects to improve energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, and protection of biodiversity.
Example of the island of Astypalea
Astypalea has become a pilot project in this program, where the Volkswagen group supported the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. The goal is for Astypalea to become a completely carbon-neutral island by 2026.
These plans and initiatives demonstrate Greece’s dedication not only to repairing the damage caused by climate change but also to a proactive approach in preventing and mitigating it.
Plan to prevent desertification in Thessaly
In March 2024, scientists warned that the region of Thessaly is at risk of desertification (turning land into a desert) due to climate change. In response to this, a master plan for the restoration of this 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 “granary of Greece,” is a key agricultural region, significant for the production of wheat, corn, cotton, and other crops. However, this region faces a serious risk of desertification, which is already evident in certain areas, especially in the central parts, where the land has lost fertility and become dry and barren. Similar problems have been observed in southern Peloponnese and parts of Crete, which are also at risk.
