Norway implements traveler fee
In an effort to manage the consequences of mass tourism, several European countries are implementing or planning tourist taxes aimed at regulating visitor numbers and financing tourism-related infrastructure. Two such countries, Greece and Norway, are taking bold steps to address overtourism in their popular destinations.
**Greece**
Starting July 1, 2025, Greece will impose a new tourist tax on cruise ship passengers. The tax will vary by destination and season, with key destinations like Mykonos and Santorini charging €20 per passenger per visit during peak summer (Jul–Sep), declining to €12 in shoulder seasons and €4 in winter. Other destinations will charge between €1 (winter) and €5 (summer). The revenue generated will be used to finance local infrastructure and tourism projects to manage visitor impact.
**Norway**
From summer 2026, Norwegian municipalities will have the option to levy a 3% tourist tax on overnight stays and cruise passengers. This tax will apply to accommodations like hotels, hostels, campsites, and short-term rentals. The initiative targets popular tourist areas such as the Lofoten Islands and Geirangerfjord, which have been affected by the influx of tourists. The policy reflects a desire to redistribute costs tied to peak seasonal tourism and support local communities.
Elsewhere in Europe, the European Union (EU) is moving towards broader regulatory frameworks to improve tax collection efficiency in tourism. The VAT in a Digital Age package (ViDA) is progressing through legislative processes, aiming to digitalize VAT reporting and expand cooperation and compliance measures in travel and tourism sectors. The discussions include reforms of VAT and Tour Operator Margin Schemes (TOMS), which may impact how tourist taxes and levies are structured or collected across member states.
The implementation of tourist taxes in Greece and Norway, and the broader regulatory context in the EU, reflects a growing trend in Europe to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the pressures of overtourism on local infrastructure and communities. As more countries join this movement, it is expected that the tourism landscape in Europe will continue to evolve, with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
[1] Source: The Guardian (2024), "Greece imposes new tourist tax on cruise ship passengers to manage overtourism." [2] Source: Visit Norway (2025), "Norway introduces tourist tax to manage overtourism in popular areas." [3] Source: European Commission (2024), "VAT in a Digital Age package (ViDA): Digitalising VAT for a fair and efficient tax system." [4] Source: The New York Times (2024), "Greece's new tourist tax targets peak congestion without penalizing tourism overall."
In July 2025, the Greek government will employ a tourist tax on cruise ship passengers, with the revenue aiding local infrastructure and tourism projects, effectively addressing the impact of overtourism in destinations like Mykonos and Santorini. On the other hand, starting from summer 2026, Norwegian municipalities will have the ability to impose a 3% tourist tax on overnight stays and cruise passengers, with the goal of supporting local communities and spreading costs associated with peak seasonal tourism, particularly in areas such as the Lofoten Islands and Geirangerfjord.
