Greece faces severe island water shortages amid record tourism

Greece welcomed a record 38 million international visitors in 2025, pushing tourism revenue above €20.2 billion. The surge has strained water supplies on dozens of islands, with Mykonos reporting a nine‑fold increase in consumption, Santorini a 500% rise, and Paros and Karpathos up 344%. Islands such as Astypalea, Karpathos, Tinos, Alonissos, Symi, Corfu, Leros, Meganisi, Patmos and Aegina have declared emergencies as reservoirs run low.

The government has launched a €15 million emergency water‑infrastructure plan covering reservoirs, distribution networks and desalination plants, while noting that about 35% of water delivered through the grid is lost to leaks. Officials warn that the aging system and rapid tourist growth could lead to higher water prices. Experts also stress that desalination, though expanding, is energy‑intensive and not a long‑term fix.