France Scraps €15 Cruise Passenger Tax
French Senate Removes Cruise Levy from 2026 Budget
France has officially dropped a proposed €15 cruise passenger tax from its 2026 budget after government opposition and strong lobbying from the industry. The levy, which would have applied to each passenger at every port call in France, was initially adopted by the Senate during its review of the draft finance bill but was ultimately excluded from the final legislation.
The measure was expected to generate around €75 million in additional public revenue. However, it quickly triggered criticism from cruise operators and related business associations, who warned of negative consequences for French ports and coastal economies.
Government Rejects Senate Amendment
The ecological tax amendment was introduced and adopted by the Senate on December 1 during budget deliberations. Shortly afterward, Amélie de Montchalin, France’s minister for public accounts, publicly expressed disagreement with the proposal.
The government argued that imposing an additional national levy on cruise passengers could undermine the competitiveness of French ports and disrupt the broader tourism ecosystem. Following internal discussions, the measure was removed from the final version of the 2026 finance law.
Cruise Industry Welcomes Decision
Cruise Lines International Association welcomed the removal of the tax from the 2026 finance bill, stating that it was pleased the French government supports the cruise industry and recognises its economic contribution to the country.
According to CLIA, cruise operators already comply with the European Union Emissions Trading System, which places a direct and rising price on CO2 emissions. As a result, cruise activity in Europe is already contributing significantly to national and EU climate funds, making an additional national ecological levy unnecessary.
Environmental Debate and Economic Stakes
The proposed tax had been framed as an environmental contribution aimed at addressing the impact of cruise tourism on coastal regions. Industry representatives countered that the sector is already subject to strict European environmental regulation and warned that additional unilateral taxation could divert cruise itineraries to competing Mediterranean destinations.
More than ten professional organisations representing businesses dependent on cruise calls in French ports campaigned for the withdrawal of the amendment. They argued that cruise tourism supports regional employment, port services, and local supply chains, making it a critical component of coastal economies.
As reported by experts at International Investment, France’s decision to abandon the €15 cruise passenger levy reflects a broader effort to balance environmental objectives with economic competitiveness. In an increasingly regulated European tourism market, fiscal measures targeting maritime traffic are likely to remain a sensitive policy area for both investors and port authorities.