Is France the Next European Country to Add a Cruise Passenger Tax?

An extra €15 per cruise passenger could be added to the bill for cruisers traveling to France if a proposal in the country is advanced.  This new fee would be for each port stop in the European country.

The tax new proposal (about $17 USD currently), which is said to address the environmental impact of cruise ships in the region, would make France the latest European nation to charge extra money for this purpose.  The fee is said to also address overtourism.

If it goes through, the new tax will apply to foreign cruise passengers and is expected to generate about €75 million each year.  This money would be used for protecting France’s coastlines along with other marine projects related to the cruise industry.

The measure has passed the Senate and will soon be reviewed by National Assembly.  But France is not the first country to propose or even enact such a policy.

The busiest port in France is the Port of Marseille which receives over 2.5 million cruise passengers annually.  Cruise lines like MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and others list the port as a port of call.

Other European Countries with the Fee

Here is a look at other major European countries and ports that have recently added similar fees or taxes for cruise traffic:

• Greece: Cruise passengers visiting high-demand destinations like Santorini and Mykonos face charges of up to €20 during the peak season, with lower fees at other ports.
• Spain: Ports like Mallorca and Ibiza have raised their “Sustainable Tourism Tax” to help fund local environmental and infrastructure projects.
• Netherlands (Amsterdam): The city implemented a cruise ship fee in 2019, which has increased over time and is currently around €14.50 per passenger. The city has also moved to cap the number of yearly cruise calls.
• Norway: Popular regions will be able to add a 3% tourism tax on cruise visitors and overnight stays beginning in the summer of 2026.
• Iceland: A new Infrastructure Tax of around $18 USD per day/visit was added at the start of 2025.

What It Means for Cruising

These cruise ship fees across Europe are already impacting the cruise industry.  Some cruise lines have adjusted itineraries to either avoid heavily taxed ports or to stay longer in a port to make the stop “worth” the added fee.

Cruise lines argue that these charges could lead to higher prices for travelers and potentially make Europe less competitive compared to destinations like the Caribbean.

The final decision on the French tax is expected soon.