Do You Have To Pay Tourist Tax To Visit Greece?
By
HuutiMoney
Greece is a popular holiday destination for many people. If you are wondering whether or not you need to pay tourist tax when you visit Greece, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. In addition to this, we will also explore, how tourist tax is paid and used in Greece and if you can avoid paying it altogether.
Do You Have To Pay Tourist Tax To Visit Greece?
Yes, you have to pay tourist tax when you visit Greece. The Greek tourist tax is applicable to all visitors who stay in places of accommodation across Greece, such as hotels, apartments, villas and campsites. Generally, the tax is applicable to those aged over 18, but this may vary depending on the age policy of the accommodation provider.
The tax is collected by the accommodation provider and is usually either included in the accommodation fee or added to the bill when the guest checks out. However, in some cases, the tax may be collected by the local municipality or tourist office. The amount of tax varies depending on the destination, season, and type of accommodation.
If you are planning to travel to Greece, you should be aware that this tourist tax applies and make sure that you are prepared to pay the extra cost. Fortunately, the tax is relatively small.
How Much Is The Tourist Tax In Greece?
The amount of tourist tax in Greece depends on the destination, accommodation type, and season. Generally, the tax is between €0.5 to €4 per night per visitor aged 18 or over and varies for locations such as island regions, cities, villages, and seasonal resorts. Some examples of the tax rates for popular holiday destinations and cities in Greece are as follows:
- Athens: €3 per person per night and €1.5 from the 1st of November to the 31st of March
- Santorini: €3 per person per night
- Corfu: €3 per person per night
- Mykonos: €4 per person per night
The tourist tax should be paid directly to the accommodation provider or the local municipality or tourist office. Keep in mind that the tax can vary slightly depending on the accommodation provider’s age policy and season.
How Is The Tourist Tax Used In Greece?
The Greek tourist tax is used to help contribute to the local economy and fund infrastructure projects.
Greece’s ancient civilisation, vast islands and the mainland, cultural history and amazing cuisine make it one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, so the Greek government collects the tourist tax to ensure the tourist industry remains a source of national income. The revenue collected goes mainly towards helping municipalities and the tourism industry of the region.
The revenue generated by the tourist tax helps to fund many public services such as repairs to monuments, providing aesthetic aid to tourist attractions and activities, better maintenance of public infrastructures, providing assistance and assistance to the vulnerable and disabled direct support, assistance on national and international communication, and many other benefits for the citizens, visitors and Greek industry.
How Do You Pay Tourist Tax In Greece?
The Greek tourist tax can be paid in three ways: in person, online, or through a bank transfer.
If you are arriving in Greece by boat or plane, the fee can be paid in cash at the airport or harbour. Alternatively, if you plan to visit a hotel, you can pay the tax to them and they will directly transfer the fee to the Municipality or Region.
In most cases, the Greek tourist tax is charged by hotels (or any other accommodation provider) and added to your bill.
If you are staying in accommodation for more than a month, you may also be required to pay the tax during your stay by making a bank transfer. This depends on where you are staying, so please check with your accommodation provider to find out if this is required.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay The Tourist Tax In Greece?
If you fail to pay the Greek tourist tax, you risk facing a 50% fine. Furthermore, the Municipality or Region in charge of collecting your tourist tax may also take legal action against you. It is therefore in your interest to make sure you have paid the tourist tax by the time you leave Greece.
If you are staying in accredited accommodation or aboard a cruise ship, the tour operator or accommodation provider will most likely pay the tourist tax on your behalf. However, it is important to check this with your provider before you check in to ensure that the tax has been paid.
Finally, if you are visiting Greece with a group, the person responsible for the group must register themselves as the group leader and provide their personal information before the group can check in. This information is also used for paying the tourist tax on behalf of the entire group.
If you refuse to pay tourist tax in Greece, you will be refused permission to stay by your accommodation provider.
Conclusion:
The Greek tourist tax is a small fee that visitors must pay before they leave the country. The amount varies depending on where you stay and may be included in the accommodation fee.
References:
Tourist taxes: All of the countries you will have to pay to enter in 2023 | Euronews