From Tuesday 1st April 2025 the Greek Ministry of Culture implemented a comprehensive new pricing policy for admission to approximately 350 archaeological sites, museums and monuments under its direct control.  This pricing policy shift occurred against a backdrop of several converging factors.  Greece experienced a significant surge in tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic, placing increased pressure on its most popular heritage sites, as electronic ticketing systems were implemented at major locations to control the number of visitors.  The pre-existing pricing system had considerable complexity, featuring nine different price tiers ranging from €2 to €20, distinct pricing for summer and winter seasons, four categories of reduced-price eligibility, and 34 categories qualifying for free admission.

The New Five-Category System and their corresponding year-round admission fees are as follows: 

• Category A:  Applies exclusively to the Acropolis of Athens, with a standard admission price of €30.
• Category B:  Archaeological sites and museums attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. The standard admission price is €20.
• Category C:  Sites and museums receiving between 75,000 and 200,000 visitors annually. The standard admission price is €15.
• Category D:  Sites and museums receiving between 15,000 and 75,000 visitors annually. The standard admission price is €10.
• Category E:  Includes sites and museums with fewer than 15,000 visitors annually. The standard admission price is €5.

Archaeological sites and museums of Epidavros and Mycenae, as the Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio are now in Category B at €20.  The pre-April 2025 admission price of Epidavros and Mycenae was €12 and Palamidi was only €8.

The most notable casualty was the Athens multi-site 'Combo' ticket, which previously cost €30 and granted access to the Acropolis plus six other major archaeological sites within Athens, over a five day period, has now been abolished.  The Ministry had already launched a visitor zone system at the Acropolis in Athens, limiting the maximum daily number of visitors to the site to 20,000. 
Exceptions have been made for a few sites like Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Epidavros, Mycenae, Mystras, Ancient Nemea, Isthmia and Aigai (Ancient Macedon) where the spatial integration of the archaeological site and museum necessitates a combined ticket. 

• Expanded Free Entry for Non-EU Youth: The age limit for free admission for citizens of non-European Union countries was raised significantly, from the previous limit of 5 years old up to 18 years old.
• Continued Free Entry for EU Youth: The existing policy granting free admission to citizens of European Union member states up to the age of 25 remains unchanged. 
• Modified Reduced Tickets for EU Seniors (65+): Senior citizens (aged 65 and over) from Greece or other EU member states are still entitled to a 50% reduced admission fee, but this discount is now applicable only during the low season, from 1st October to 31st May.  Previously, this reduction might have been available year-round or under different conditions.  
• Additional Free Sunday in Winter: The number of free admission Sundays during the winter period (1st November to 31st March) was doubled.  In addition to the pre-existing free entry on the first Sunday of each month during this period, the third Sunday of each month is now also free for all visitors during the winter period only.

Access to all state-owned archaeological sites, monuments and museums is also free on:

• 6th March - Melina Merkouri Memorial Day
• 18th April  - International Day for Monuments
• 18th May  - International Museum Day
• Last weekend of September - European Cultural Heritage Day
• 28th October - National Holiday - 'OXI' Day