Tourist tax in Greece A complete guide
Greece, known for its ancient history, stunning islands, and rich culture, is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. In our tax guide, we outline everything you need to know about Greece’s tourist tax: the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax—including tax rates, who is responsible for paying it, and how you can stay compliant with ease while managing your accommodation.
Is there a tourist tax in Greece?
Yes. Greece currently applies two separate tourist taxes in addition to VAT: the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax and the Transient Occupancy Tax. The exact tax obligations depend on several factors, including the type of accommodation, its star rating or classification, the season, and whether the host is considered a private individual or a professional operator.
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The Transient Occupancy Tax in Greece
Since 2024, the Transient Occupancy tax is active. this percentage-based tax is levied on all accommodation types, but is limited to a period of six months.
Thereby, Individual municipalities are allowed to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax from 0.5% to 0.75% of the room price.
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VAT in Greece
The 13% VAT applies to professional operators, typically those managing multiple properties or operating through a registered business. Private or non-professional hosts are not required to charge or remit VAT. On some islands in Greece, a lower VAT (9%) is levied, to be more competitive to Turkey.
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The Climate Crisis Resilience Tax in Greece
Greece first introduced a nationwide accommodation tax on January 1, 2018. This was replaced in 2024 by the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax, a levy designed to fund the country’s response to climate change and environmental disasters.
This tax applies uniformly across all regions and to all types of accommodation: hotels, villas, apartments, and short-term rentals (like Airbnb). Rates vary depending on the accommodation category and the season (high or low).
In 2025, the tax rates were increased. Additionally, cruise ship passengers are now charged: €20 per person when visiting Santorini or Mykonos, €5 per person per day when visiting other destinations, including Athens and Crete.
For tourists
Why is there a tourist tax in Greece?
Greece’s tourist tax helps the country fund crucial projects to protect its nature and infrastructure. The revenue generated is used for climate change resilience efforts, disaster recovery, and to maintain public services that make Greece an attractive destination. With its popularity and growing tourism numbers, this tax ensures that visitors contribute to keeping Greece sustainable, especially after recent wildfires and floods.
Rate of the tourist tax in Greece
The tourist tax rates in Greece vary depending on the accommodation type and season. Below is an overview of the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax rates, which apply per room, per night, ensuring that guests contribute fairly based on the level of accommodation and time of year.
Important note: these rates are a selection of common accommodation types. There are also more factors to consider, such as the length of the booking, the size of the accommodation, and whether it is run by a professional company or not.
| Accommodation type | Climate Resilience Tax rate (high season) | Climate Resilience Tax rate (low season) | Transient Occupancy Tax (year round) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star hotel | € 5.00 | € 1.50 | 0.5% |
| Short-term rental | € 8.00 | € 2.00 | 0.5% |
| Furnished tourist unit | € 2.00 | € 0.50 | 0.5% |
| Villa | € 15.00 | € 4.00 | 0.5% |
| Cruise ship | €5.00 - €20.00 | €5.00 - €20.00 | - |
Frequently asked questions from tourists
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Who needs to pay the tourist tax in Greece?
All visitors staying in hotels, villas, apartments, or short-term rentals (like Airbnb) are required to pay the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax. The tax applies to both domestic and international tourists and is charged per room, per night during their stay.
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How much is the tourist tax in Greece?
The tourist tax varies depending on the accommodation and the season. For example, in the high season (March to October), the tax ranges from €1.50 per night for 1-2 star accommodations to €10 per night for 5-star hotels. During the low season (November to February), the rates are lower
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Is the tourist tax included in the price of my booking?
No, the tourist tax is not typically included in the price of the booking. It is charged separately and must be paid at the accommodation when you arrive or during checkout. Accommodation providers will issue a separate receipt for the tax.
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What is the tourist tax used for?
The revenue from Greece’s Climate Crisis Resilience Tax is used to fund climate change resilience projects and disaster recovery efforts. This includes rebuilding infrastructure after events like wildfires and floods and maintaining public services that enhance the visitor experience.
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Do children have to pay the tourist tax in Greece?
The tourist tax applies to the room or accommodation, not per individual guest. This means the tax is charged per night for the accommodation, regardless of how many guests are staying in the room, including children.
For hosts
Guest registration in Greece
Although there is no national law in Greece that obliges accommodation providers to register personal details of guests, we strongly advice to do so. This way, you will always be able to proof the number of guests you received, and for how long. Next to that, local laws might require hosts to register personal details of their guests.
Handling of tourist tax
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Remittance of tourist tax
As an accommodation provider in Greece, you are responsible for collecting the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax from guests. While many taxes are typically remitted on a quarterly basis in other countries, the exact frequency for this specific tax in Greece should be confirmed with local tax authorities like the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR). Keeping accurate records of the tax you collect will ensure smooth and timely remittance, avoiding any potential penalties for late or incorrect payments.
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Keeping your administration for tourist tax
It’s essential to maintain detailed records of the tourist tax you collect. In Greece, while there are general requirements for tax records to be kept for at least five years, it’s important to verify the exact retention requirements for the tourist tax with the appropriate authorities. Keeping your documentation well-organized, including guest details and payment receipts, will help ensure compliance during audits and inspections.
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Tourist tax when renting through an online booking platform
If you’re renting your property through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, you are still responsible for collecting and remitting the tourist tax. While some platforms may facilitate the collection process, it's important to verify how the tax is handled and ensure that your listings display the required AMA registration number. Make sure to stay updated on any tax responsibilities the platform doesn’t cover, and maintain your own records of all amounts collected.
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Remittance of Transient Occupancy Tax
The Transient Occupancy Tax is remitted following the same process as VAT. Deadlines are identical and fall on the last working day of April, July, October and January for the previous quarter.
Don’t want to worry about remitting the correct amount of tourist tax? That’s possible, with the use of Trippz!
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Short-term rental registration requirements in Greece
According to Article 111 of Law 4446/2016, you have to be registered at the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) to be allowed to rent out your accommodation as a short-term rental. Thereby, the registration number must always be displayed, when advertising the accommodation on any digital platform.
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VAT on short-term rentals in Greece
Since the rule changes in 2024, anyone renting out three or more accommodations is considered a professional operator, similar to a hotel business. As a result, they are required to charge and remit 13 percent VAT.
On specific islands including Leros, Lesbos, Kos, Samos and Chios, a 30 percent VAT reduction applies as part of regional relief measures. This results in a 9% VAT-rate.
Frequently asked questions from hosts
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Do I need to collect the tourist tax from all guests?
Yes, as an accommodation provider in Greece, you are required to collect the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax from all guests staying at your property. The tax amount varies depending on the type and rating of your accommodation, and it must be collected per room, per night.
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How do I remit the collected tourist tax?
The exact remittance schedule for the tourist tax should be confirmed with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR). Typically, taxes are remitted on a quarterly basis, but it's crucial to check the official guidelines to ensure you're meeting all deadlines and requirements for payment.
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What details do I need to store for tourist tax compliance?
You must keep records of all tourist tax collected, including the guest’s stay dates, tax amounts, and any relevant receipts. These records should be kept for at least five years, but it's important to verify this timeframe with the local tax authorities to ensure full compliance.
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Do I need to register my property to collect the tourist tax?
Yes, all short-term rental properties, including those listed on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, must be registered with the IAPR and have an AMA registration number. This number must be displayed in all listings, and you'll need to declare your guests' stays to ensure proper tax collection and compliance.
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What happens if I don’t collect or remit the tourist tax?
Failing to collect or remit the tourist tax correctly can result in fines or penalties from the Greek authorities. To avoid this, make sure to accurately collect the tax from your guests, keep detailed records, and remit the payments to the government according to the specified deadlines
How Trippz helps hosts
Organize your administration simply
Classifying your accommodation, keeping a guest registry, collecting and remitting the correct amount of tourist tax; besides taking good care of your guests' travel, there is a lot of administrative work involved in renting out your accommodation. Work that you may not have even thought of initially when you started, and that you probably want to spend as little time on as possible. Therefore, you want to organize your administration as simply as possible.
And fortunately you can, with Trippz!
All in one overview
Trippz is here to make your life as easy as possible, while complying with all regulations. Through our (web)app you automate your guest registration, and you can even prepare your administration for the tourist tax. You don't have to worry about collecting the tourist tax either. Because we keep track of all local regulations, we know exactly what rate your guests have to pay. On arrival day, your guests will automatically receive a message from us to pay their tourist tax. At the end of their stay, the money will be automatically deposited into your account. All you have to do is periodically transfer the total amount to the municipality. Simple!
Automatically sync all Airbnb bookings
You can now synchronise all your Airbnb bookings with Trippz on your account. This means you have to do even less yourself. Ideal for hosts who rent out a lot via Airbnb. Do you rent through another platform? We expect to complete more integrations in the near future. Get in touch to find out if your platform will soon be added to Trippz.
Frequently asked questions about Trippz
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How does Trippz help me as a host?
Trippz makes it easy to comply with local guest registration and tourist tax rules. Our tool automatically collects the necessary guest information and calculates the right tourist tax, based on the local regulations. You no longer have to worry about manually updating spreadsheets, logging into government portals, or missing deadlines. Trippz takes care of the compliance work in the background, so you can focus on offering a great guest experience.
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Is it difficult to start using Trippz?
Not at all! Trippz is designed to be user-friendly. It is developed as a web application, so you do not need to download an app. You can start right away!
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What does the use of Trippz cost?
At the moment, it is free of charge! Have a look at our page for Hosts, to see the current pricing.
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Can I use Trippz if I only rent occasionally?
Yes, absolutely. Trippz is built to support all types of hosts, from someone who rents out their home a few weekends per year, to professional property managers. Whether you're small-scale or manage multiple listings, Trippz adjusts to your needs and helps you stay compliant with minimal effor
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Can I import all my bookings from Airbnb?
Yes, you can! We have worked on an integration with airbnb, through which you can automatically import all your bookings. Thereby, the messages about guest registration will also be send automatically through our platform.
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Can I import all my bookings from my own booking system?
After the integration with Airbnb, we are now working on all other sorts of integrations. Integrating your own platform is not yet available, but will be in the future!
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How does guest registration work for my guests?
Once a booking is confirmed, Trippz sends a registration link to your guest via email or platform message. The guest fills in a simple form, and you’re notified once it’s completed. You can review the details before they are submitted to local authorities. This ensures all data is accurate, and no extra logins or uploads are needed on your side.
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Does Trippz collect the tourist tax for me?
Yes. Trippz now collects the tourist tax directly as part of the check-in process. Once your guest has completed their registration, the correct tax amount is calculated and securely collected. You don’t need to handle any payments yourself. Periodically, you’ll receive a payout with an overview of the amounts collected and remitted, keeping everything clear and compliant.
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What if a guest doesn’t want to register digitally?
This is an unfortunate situation, that does happen from time to time. If a guest does not want to enter digitally, you can manually enter their details into Trippz afterwards.
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What if my municipality changes the tourist tax rates?
At Trippz, we actively follow all tax rates in areas that we cover. When a new tax rate is implemented, we will update the rates accordingly. Still missing something? Please reach out to us!
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What happens if my municipality collaborates with another one?
No problem. As said, we actively follow all municipalities and their rules. We will automatically update this for you. If you want to be sure, you can always message us in advance, so we are even more on top of things!
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How does it work if another organization manages the tax in my municipality?
With Trippz, you can export all the information you need. You can easily copy the needed information towards the file the tax organization requires from you.
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