“Parliamentary Question by Manos Konsolas to the Minister of Finance Regarding Rhodes and the Reduced VAT Rates”
“Rhodes is not just about prosperity, big hotels, and tourism. The broader and more accurate picture includes small and medium-sized businesses, professionals struggling to survive due to high transport costs for goods and services, and the urgent need to transform and support the competitiveness of the local economy.”
This was the key message from Manos Konsolas, Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese (New Democracy), in a parliamentary question submitted to the Minister of National Economy and Finance, in which he raised the issue of potentially applying the reduced VAT rates to Rhodes at a later stage.
In his question, Konsolas emphasizes:
“The situation has changed significantly since 2015. The expansion of electronic transactions has increased VAT revenue, and Rhodes has also benefited from this improvement. The government must assess the fiscal cost of extending reduced VAT rates to Rhodes, so we understand the required budgetary space to implement the measure.”
He also requests that the government outline its plans regarding the reintroduction of reduced VAT rates on the island.
In a statement, Manos Konsolas further explained:
“The purpose of my parliamentary initiative is to highlight that Rhodes continues to claim its rights, but also to ensure that data and figures are heard.
Beyond the fiscal cost of restoring reduced VAT rates, there are other critical elements to consider — such as:
- Rhodes’s significant contribution to public revenue through:
- Income tax
- VAT
- The resilience levy
- Revenue from archaeological sites
- Port and airport-related taxes and fees
- Income tax
These should all be factored into any fair and balanced fiscal decision.”
Manos N. Konsolas
MP for the Dodecanese – New Democracy
Hellenic Parliament
