Three small, dreamy Greek islands introduce a tax to combat overtourism.

Greece is undoubtedly one of the most popular summer destinations, and the islands suffer from a heavy influx of tourists, which often disrupts local communities, even the smallest ones. While it was initially regions like Mykonos and Santorini that raised the alarm and introduced measures to counteract overtourism , now even smaller communities, seeing the number of visitors grow, have found themselves forced to introduce an entrance fee.

Entrance fee to three small Greek islands

Ithaca and Paxos aren't just picture-perfect Greek islands , but actual communities that live year-round with limited resources. In the summer, however, these little paradises are overrun by a number of visitors far beyond the islands' capacity to cope. And no, that's not an exaggeration.

With fewer than 3,000 inhabitants each, Ithaca and Paxos face waves of day-trippers every summer. Even if they don't stay overnight, they threaten essential public services: waste collection, water supply, road management, and local traffic. This silent assault risks transforming the authentic island experience into a chaotic, one-day getaway. This is the motivation driving the mayors of the two islands, following the example of Symi , which already adopted a similar measure a few months ago. The idea is to impose a €3 tax on day-trippers.

The reasons for the tax

While the €3 fee may seem insignificant, its overall impact must be considered: if applied to the current number of incoming tourists, the tax could make a difference. Symi, where the measure has already been approved, hosts 300,000 daily visitors each year. The impact can be measured in the millions of liters of water used, the tons of waste produced, and the difficulties with transportation and public services for an area with a population of less than 3,000.

The fact that so many visitors choose a particular destination for just a few months of the year undermines the social fabric, the environment, and even the local identity. The goal is certainly not to discourage travelers , but to address a reality that can no longer be ignored. After all, overtourism shouldn't be seen as a positive phenomenon, but rather as a major imbalance. The tax would apply only to those who don't stay on the island—the classic day tripper—and would serve to strengthen local services without increasing the tax burden on residents. In short: those who consume contribute.

As reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano , Symi Mayor Eleftherios Papakalodoukas stated, "Right now, all municipal employees and garbage truck drivers are working to meet the port's needs, with the result that residents of the island's neighborhoods, who pay municipal taxes, are not enjoying the services they pay for." The politician emphasized that the territory does not want to drive away tourism, but that it is absolutely necessary to introduce new taxes to ensure quality services for all.

Ithaca, Paxos, and Symi want to continue to enchant, but to do so they need to protect themselves, safeguard themselves, and above all, increase services: a small tax will make a difference.