Holidaymakers will be charged Greek climate tax

The Greek government has introduced a climate resilience tax on accommodation booked by tourists, charged on a nightly basis

The charge comes into force this month and replaces the existing tourist tax on hotel stays. Rates will vary and will be significantly higher during the peak tourist season between March and October.

The tax will be charged at €10 (£8.60) per night per room for five-star hotel stays during high season and €7 (£6) in four-star hotels, while rates will drop to €4 (£3.44) during the low season.

This means that people on a week’s holiday in a five-star hotel in the height of summer will face a tax charge of £60 a week.

The climate tax is more than double the old tourist tax which started at rates as low as half a euro for one and two-star hotels up to €4 for top quality accommodation.

Short-term property rentals booked through online platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo and Homestay, will also be included in the new tax regime and will start at a rate of €1.50 per night for these bookings. Renters of larger properties will have to pay up to €10 per night.

The taxes will not be included in the prices quoted for holiday packages, and will have to be paid at accommodation in local currency.

The Greek government said the money would be used to support reconstruction work after devastating forest fires last year and to enhance climate resilience. It is expected to raise up to €300m in 2024.

In 2022, UK visitors topped the list of inbound tourists, with nearly 4.5m visitors, back to pre-pandemic levels.

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