Central Corfu Municipality sets overnight stay tax at 0.75%

(From the announcement) The Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands is proceeding with an adjustment of the overnight stay tax to 0.75% from the current 0.50%.

The tax applies to food and beverage businesses, hotels, accommodation providers, car rental agencies, etc., and for the first time also covers short-term rental activities. The charge is borne by the customer rather than the professional or the business. It has already been in force since last year in a large number of municipalities across the country, particularly in tourist areas.

In the past the tax stood at 5%, was reduced to 2% during the period of economic recession following requests from tourism businesses, and was most recently lowered to 0.50%.

With the limited revenue generated by the overnight stay tax, municipalities across the country are unable to meet the significant demands created by high visitor numbers. In the case of Corfu, this has been compounded in recent years by the heavy cost of transporting waste to waste management facilities in Ioannina and Kozani.

ELENI KORONAKI