Half-day hotel stays incur full stayover levy

The Finance Ministry on Thursday issued details on how the stayover tax is applied and who will have to pay it.

The tax, which was introduced in January, is a new levy that undermines the competitiveness of Greek tourism, which has been the driving force behind the country's moderate growth in recent quarters.

The levy is imposed on the daily use of rooms or apartments at tourism accommodation units as follows: At one- and two-star hotels and at furnished apartments that are leased out to tourists the charge is 0.50 euros per night; at three-star hotels the charge comes to 1.50 euros/night; at four-star units it is 3 euros/night; and at five-star hotels 4 euros/night. The hotels should pay it directly to the state.

Notably, in cases where guests can stay for just a few hours, the levy should be paid in full, and if a room is used by two guests in the same 24-hour...