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These are all the destinations you’ll need to pay extra to visit this year

More and more popular travel destinations are introducing tourist taxes to tackle problems caused by overtourism – here’s what you’ll have to pay

This year, international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019 – and while that’s great news for the tourism industry in general, many cities, attractions and entire regions are suffering under the weight of overtourism .

The potential for damage to historic sites, unhinged tourist behaviour  and the simple issue of overcrowding are all common consequences of overtourism. That’s why a growing list of popular travel destinations have introduced a tourist tax, with the hopes of controlling visitor numbers and improving local infrastructure to better cater to higher visitor capacity. 

Many countries and cities introduced a tourist tax in 2023, and many more are due to launch theirs in 2024. Tourist taxes aren’t a new thing – you’ve probably paid one before, tied in with the cost of a plane ticket or the taxes you pay at a hotel. 

However, more destinations than ever before are creating this fee for tourists, and many places have increased the cost of existing ones. Here’s a full list of all the destinations charging a tourist tax in 2024, including all the recently introduced and upcoming tourist taxes you need to know about. 

Austria charges visitors a nightly accommodation tax which differs depending on province. In Vienna or Salzburg , you could pay 3.02 percent per person on top of the hotel bill. 

Belgium , like Austria, has a nightly fee. Some hotels include it in the rate of the room and add it separately to your bill, so read it carefully.

The rate in Brussels is charged per room, and varies depending on the size and rating of your hotel, but is usually around €7.50. Antwerp also charges per room. 

Bhutan has always been known for its steep tourist taxes and charges. In 2022, the Himalayan kingdom  tripled the amount it charged visitors in tax  to a minimum of  $200 per day , but that amount has since been lowered. In 2024, the daily fee for the majority of visitors is  $ 100,  and that is due to continue until August 31, 2027. 

Bulgaria applies a fee to overnight stays, but it reaches a maximum of only €1.50. 

Caribbean Islands

The following Caribbean Islands charge a tourist tax, ranging from between €13 to €45: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic , Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. 

The tax tends to be tied into the cost of a hotel or a departure fee. 

Croatia only charges its visitors a fee of 10 kuna (€1.33) per night during peak season. 

Czechia (also known as Czech Republic)

Czechia only applies a fee to those travelling to Prague . It doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18, and is less than €1 per person, per night. 

France ’s ‘taxe de séjour’ varies depending on city, and tends to be added to your hotel bill. It varies from €0.20 to €4 per person, per night. 

Earlier this month, Paris announced it would be increasing its fee by up to 200 percent for those staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and campsites, but that it plans to put the funds towards improving the city’s services and infrastructure. 

READ MORE: The cost of visiting Paris will soar this summer – here’s why

Germany charges visitors a ‘culture tax’ (kulturförderabgabe) and a ‘bed tax’ (bettensteuer) in certain cities, including Frankfurt , Hamburg and Berlin , which tends to be around five percent of your hotel bill. 

Greece ’s tourist tax is based on numbers. Specifically, how many stars a hotel has, and the number of rooms you’re renting. The fee was introduced by the Greek Ministry of tourism to help pay off the country’s debt, and can be anything from €4 per room.

Hungary charges visitors four percent of the price of their room, but only in Budapest . 

Iceland is introducing a tourist tax to protect its ‘unspoilt nature’ this year, which will cost between  €4 to €7 per night. It comes after annual tourist numbers reached an estimated 2.3 million per year. 

In Indonesia , the only destination which charges a tourist tax is Bali , and the fee is set to increase this February  to $10 (£7.70, €8.90, IDR 150,000) – but is a one-time entry fee, not a nightly tax. It apparently goes towards protecting the island’s ‘environment and culture.’

Much like in France, Italy ’s tourist tax varies depending on your location. Rome ’s fee is usually between €3 to €7 per night, but some smaller Italian towns charge more. 

Venice finally announced in September that its tourist tax, a €5 (£4.30, $5.40) fee which will be applicable on various days during high season, will launch in 2024. It only applies to day-trippers rather than those staying overnight, though.

Japan has a departure tax of around 1,000 yen (€8). 

Malaysia has a flat-rate tax which it applies to each night you stay, of around €4 a night. 

New Zealand

New Zealand ’s tax comes in the from of an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of around €21 which much be paid upon arrival, but that does not apply to people from Australia. 

Netherlands

The Netherlands has both a land and water tax. Amsterdam is set to increase its fee  by 12.5 percent in 2024, making it the highest tourist tax in the European Union. 

Portugal has a low tourist tax of €2, which applies to all those over the age of 13. It’s only applicable on the first seven nights of your visit and applies in 13 Portuguese municipalities, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto.   

Olhão became the latest area to start charging the fee between April and October. Outside of this period, it gets reduced to €1 and is capped at five nights all year round. The money goes towards minimising the impact of tourism in the Algarve town. 

Slovenia also bases its tax on location and hotel rating. In larger cities and resorts, such as Ljubljana and Bled, the fee is higher, but still only around €3 per night. 

Spain 

Spain applies its Sustainable Tourism Tax to holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands to each visitor over the age of sixteen. Tourists can be charged up to €4 per night during high season. 

Barcelona ’s city authorities announced they plan to increase the city’s tourist tax over the next two years – the fee is set to rise to €3.25 on April 1, 2024. The council said the money would go towards improving infrastructure and services. This is in addition to regional Catalan tax. 

Switzerland

Switzerland ’s tax varies depending on location, but the per person, per night cost is around €2.20. It tends to be specified as a separate amount on your accommodation bill. 

Thailand 

Thailand introduced a tourist tax to the price of flights in April 2022, in a similar effort to the Balinese aim of moving away from its rep as a ‘cheap’ holiday destination. The fee for all international visitors is 300 baht (£6.60, $9). 

The US has an ‘occupancy tax’ which applies across most of the country to travellers renting accommodation such as hotels, motels and inns. Houston is estimated to be the highest, where they charge you an extra 17 percent of your hotel bill. 

Hawaii  could be imposing a ‘green fee’ – initially set at $50 but since lowered to $25 – which would apply to every tourist over the age of 15. It still needs to be passed by lawmakers, but if approved, it wouldn’t be instated until 2025.

The European Union

Finally, the European Union is planning on introducing a tourist visa , due to start in 2024. The €7 application will have to be filled out by all non-Schengen visitors between the ages of 18 and 70, including Brits and Americans. 

READ MORE: Why sustainable tourism isn’t enough anymore

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Since 2014 a tourism tax has been imposed for all private overnight stays in Berlin ("Accommodation Tax"). Here are the most important details:

• The fee is 5% of the total net amount of your overnight stay and is included in the booking fee.
• Business travellers are exempt from this tax. To take advantage of this exemption, please bring a confirmation signed by your employer with you. A corresponding form can be downloaded here . If you are self-employed please use this form .
• Class trips approved by an authorized school official as a study trip serving educational purposes are exempt from tax. Please complete the following  form .
• Students are also exempt from this tax if the overnight accommodation is essential for participation in compulsory study events. The relevant form can be downloaded here .
• Participants in further education courses are also exempt if the educational activity or course content is directly related to vocational training. Please use this form .
• This leaflet provides further information on the Accommodation Tax: Download .

If you have any questions concerning the  Accommodation Tax , feel free to contact us: gaestehaus(at)berliner-stadtmission.de or tel. 0049 (0)30 69033-33 .

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What is the Berlin Occupancy Tax and how much is it?

For stays in Berlin, a City or "Occupancy Tax" of 5% of the total price of the apartment (excluding extras and add-ons) applies, up to a maximum of 21 nights, and will be charged to the supplied payment card on arrival. If an apartment is reserved, but the stay is cancelled before arrival, City Tax is not charged.

*Please note:

The Berlin Senate will apply the city tax for business travelers starting April 1, 2024. The tax will be applicable for reservations made after this date and the exemption will no longer be valid.

Exclusions* For business stays, the tax is waived, provided you or the guest provides proof of the business purpose by the time of departure. No proof is needed if the bill is addressed to the employer or directly paid by them.

Written confirmation from the employer or guest, including details like name, address, and duration of stay, serves as proof. Self-employed individuals can provide comparable proof, such as a written statement with an income tax identification number. Providing proof is voluntary - if not given, guests can pay the tax and apply for reimbursement from the tax office with proof of the business-related stay.

If there is more than one guest sharing an apartment, each guest must provide proof.

For more info on the Occupancy Tax, head to berlin.de .

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Expat Info News

Tourists could soon be charged “overnight tax” in more German cities

The German Federal Constitutional Court recently ruled that hotels are obliged to collect Bettensteuern (bed taxes) on behalf of local authorities. This could lead to more municipalities charging “tourist taxes”.

Germany’s tourist taxes

In Germany, local taxes known as Bettensteuern , or bed taxes, have been in place since 2005. Visitors staying in cities with these taxes are obliged to pay if they are staying in paid accommodation overnight, which is usually a percentage of the overnight cost per guest. The percentage is typically 5 percent and is normally added automatically to the bill. In some places, a fixed rate is paid, for example, 3 euros per guest per night. In some cities, such as Hamburg , the tax is based on a sliding scale, so guests staying in more expensive accommodation pay more tax.

The tax is levied by German cities and municipalities due to the reduced VAT tax rate. Since 2010, hotel accommodation has been subject to the reduced tax rate of 7 percent, rather than the regular rate of 19 percent. In response, some municipalities and local authorities started introducing “overnight taxes”. The taxes are known by different names in different cities and districts, such as “tourist tax”, “lodging tax” or “city tax”. Berlin , for example, introduced its “hotel occupancy tax” in 2014.

The tax is only levied on tourists, as a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court in 2012 stipulated that all “professionally compulsory” overnight stays were exempt from the tax nationwide.

Court rules that “tourist taxes” are compatible with Basic Law

The Bettensteuern are collected by hotels on behalf of the municipalities. Recently, a number of hotel owners in Hamburg, Freiburg and Bremen complained to the Federal Constitutional Court that their basic rights were being infringed upon by being obligated to collect the taxes from their own guests. They also complained that collecting the taxes involved too much admin work, as the tax is only applied to leisure travellers, not people on business trips.

The court ruled that the Bettensteuern are compatible with Basic Law. It also stated that it was not practical for state authorities to collect the tax, meaning that hotel operators are obliged to collect it on their behalf. The court did acknowledge the extra work that this meant for hotels but likened this work to other obligatory tasks for entrepreneurs , like filling out registration forms or paying VAT .

It has been suggested that the court’s ruling could lead to more cities and districts in Germany charging overnight taxes to tourists. The court also made no distinction between people travelling for business or leisure, leading some to speculate that all overnight guests could be subject to the tax in the future.

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William studied a masters in Classics at the University of Amsterdam. He is a big fan of Ancient History and football, particularly his beloved Watford FC.

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Information about Berlin Accommodation Tax (City Tax)

The city state of Berlin has introduced an accommodation tax (city tax) since 1 st January 2014.

This city tax will be raised for all overnight stays of travellers who come to Berlin.

The city tax of 5% of the net room revenue plus actual valid VAT will be automatically added to the net room price.

If you have any questions, you can contact directly the Senate of Berlin by phone: +49 (0) 30 9024 2697 6 or via email: [email protected]. Further information you can get on www.berlin.de/sen/finanzen/steuern/nachrichten/artikel.6163.php.

If you have further questions regarding the city tax, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone.

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Room reservation: ++ 49 30 - 21 007 700 Phone: ++ 49 30 - 21 007 0 Fax: ++ 49 30 - 21 32 009

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Is tourist tax still 5% and are children exempt ?

https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/tourists-could-soon-be-charged-overnight-tax-more-german-cities

Don't know about children. How old are they?

The tax is not imposed if you are travelling on business. It applies to children and is 5% of net room charge:

https://www.visitberlin.de/en/city-tax-berlin

Honestly if it is added I have never noticed.

On both occasions when I have stayed, it was included in the room rate and I was not asked to pay anything extra on check-out

I've never paid it separately either but on one occasion I was at the Raddison Blu and was behind a couple of very upset people threatening to bring down the Raddison empire as their reservation didn't include it and they were being asked for it.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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What is the tourist city tax and who is charging it?

By reading this article, you will find out exactly what a tourist city tax is, who is charging it, and, more importantly, why is it being charged?

If you’ve recently visited Europe, you might have been asked to pay a tourist city tax. Most travelers out there wonder if this practice is legal, as they don’t know exactly what it means. However, there is a large number of European countries and cities that have implemented this so-called tourist city tax. 

Therefore, we are here to answer all of your questions related to it. By reading this article, you will find out exactly what a tourist city tax is, who is charging it, and, more importantly, why is it being charged? 

Without any further ado, let’s get right into it!

The history of the tourist city tax Up until recently, people didn’t actually realize they were charged a tourist city tax. Yes, that’s true, you were probably being charged with one of these fees if you have visited Europe in the past 20 years. 

Reportedly, the city of Paris introduced a fee similar to what we know today as tourist city tax way back in 1994. At that time, plenty of other countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands, were charging this fee. 

The reason for which nobody was noticing is that it was actually incorporated in the accommodation price. So, if you ever thought that the prices seem a little bit inflated, it was because of this fee. 

However, things have evolved, and apartment stays and B&B services appeared on the market out of a sudden. Let’s see how this fact influenced the tourist city tax and made it be excluded out of the accommodation price and actually charged in cash when a customer is leaving a certain hotel. 

The reason behind the tourist city tax First of all, it is entirely legal – therefore, don’t worry; you haven’t been scammed if you were asked to pay such a fee. According to various sources, the tourist city tax was implemented because of the poor economy of some countries and cities. 

As the state of the economy was decreasing, the municipalities of some cities were having a hard time maintaining the infrastructure of the respective cities. Therefore, they came up with a fee that applies to non-residents, in order to alleviate some of the problems they were facing. 

For example, in Milano, the tax has been in force since the 1st of September 2012. One of the regional laws that describe this fee states that hotels and non-hotels are both seen as accommodation facilities and, therefore, they should demand such fee from their customers. 

So, you are likely to be charged such a fee if you stay in hotels, motels, and touristic residences. Moreover, you can also be charged if you rent a vacation home, a mountain hut, a hiking shelter, apartments, or stay in youth hostels, or any type of outdoor accommodations. 

How is the tourist city tax applied? Usually, the fees apply to one person and for one day of stay. You will most likely be asked to pay this tax in cash, at the moment you check-out out of your accommodation.   In Rome, for example, the tax changes according to the type of accommodation you are staying in. If you have a room in a 3-star hotel, you will have to pay two Euros per person, per night. However, if you stay in a 4- or 5-star hotel, you will have to pay three Euros per person, per night. 

On the other hand, in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Cologne, the tourist city tax is 5% of your hotel room bill. Moreover, you might be required to pay such a fee for your children as well – but Italy does not usually charge individuals that are under 14 or 16 years old. 

It’s important to remember that the tourist city tax has to be paid for a maximum of ten nights spent in a certain hotel or type of accommodation that charges this fee. That said, if you book a multiday tour with accommodation stays etc. on tour and holiday booking portal such as Bookmundi, the price they list is included includes Tourist City Tax. 

Furthermore, not only European countries seem to be affected by this tax. We say affected because a lot of people don’t realize that they were going to pay it anyway, even if it was hidden in the accommodation price or not. Reportedly, Dubai and America have also introduced tourist city taxes. 

Where does the tourist city tax go? As we mentioned before, the municipality of the city is responsible for the city tax – they charge it and they take it. We also said that the money resulted from the tourist city tax is used to fix certain economic problems. It is usually used to support and develop the local tourist industry, while in some countries, the money is used to raise revenue for government departments that have been hard-pressed.

Therefore, you don’t have to think wrong of the tourist city tax, as in most countries, it is used to improve your stay there. For example, in Catalonia, Spain, this tax has helped raise around 126 million Euros – which has been equally split between town halls, local tourism boards, and the Catalan Tourism Agency. 

The bottom line So, now you know exactly what a tourist city tax is – it’s basically a fee that you’ve always been paying if you’ve visited some popular European cities and is used to support the development of tourism in those areas. 

Most tourists are quite scared about this tax, but for no reason at all. It’s true, we don’t like the fact that we’re being charged a fee just because we are tourists, but this is how things work and this is how local accommodation communities get the support they need, especially if they are located in countries with a poor economy. 

For example, take a look at Greece, a country that’s been in economic crisis and recovering from it for a long time. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and the accommodation there is quite cheap as well – we wouldn’t mind having to pay some extra euros to support it, right? 

We hope that our article made you understand better the purpose of this tourist city tax so that the next time you are asked for one you don’t get all confused and you can just enjoy your stay!

Stavros Andriopoulos

• Stavros Andriopoulos https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/stavros-andriopoulos/ Secret havens: Unlocking hidden gems of the luxury world with VIP access
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Hawaii Is the Latest Place to Consider a Tourist Tax—Here's Where Else Travelers Need to Pay to Enter

By Olivia Morelli

Hawaii is the latest destination to consider taxing visitors to help address the effects of climate change and overtourism, two issues that are particularly front of mind in the Aloha State following the devastating Lahaina fire .

The so-called climate tax is part of a bill first introduced in January that could pass as early as this spring. If approved, visitors to Hawaii would be charged a $25 flat fee during check-in at hotels and short-term rentals. The money would go onto support sustainability initiatives in the state including wildfire and flood prevention, coral reef restoration, emergency water supplies, green infrastructure, and coastal restoration.

The concept of tourist tax isn’t a new one. They have long been the norm for many countries in Europe such as Greece, Spain, and Germany, and hotel tax is standard across many destinations, including US states. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry was severe—hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues closed, people that relied on tourism for their livelihoods suddenly faced huge losses, and money that the government relied on for development and maintenance was depleted. As a result, many countries have decided to implement a tourist tax to help support local needs. Below, we take a look at what exactly tourist tax is, and which places are introducing the measure for 2024.

Bhutan's tourist tax (one of the most expensive fees on the list) recently decreased from $200 to $100 per night.

What is tourist tax?

Originally, tourist tax was introduced by certain governments with the aim of tempering overtourism and generating income from large numbers of travelers entering the destination. Bhutan , for example, has asked tourists to pay a significant sum of money to enter since it opened to international visitors in 1974. The country uses the tax (called the Daily Sustainable Development Fee) in an attempt to preserve the country’s natural, undisturbed beauty and to protect traditional Buddhist culture . Barcelona , meanwhile, uses the city’s tourist tax to fund local construction and development projects. Most tourist taxes are added onto the cost of your accommodation in the form of a percent or flat fee.

Which destinations will begin imposing tourist taxes in 2024?

• This January, Iceland reintroduced its tourist tax following a pandemic hiatus.
• The Indonesian government began taxing travelers visiting Bali from February 14, 2024.
• In 2024, the UK is imposing a new system called an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), whereby visitors from the US, Europe, Australia, and Canada will be required to apply for permission and pay to enter the country.
• Pro tip: Next year, the EU will begin implementing a new tourist visa , whereby non-EU citizens traveling from outside the Schengen zone will need to fill out a €7 (around $7.57) application to enter the country.

Bali started charging tourists a $10 entrance fee on February 14, 2024.

Which destinations currently impose tourist tax?

The below destinations currently impose tourist taxes on travelers entering the country, but the amount of tax charged changes frequently. While we have included some guidance on projected costs, make sure you check with your accommodation or the tourism board for each destination before traveling.

• Austria : The cost of tourist tax is typically added onto your accommodation bill, and is around 3.2% in Vienna.
• Belgium : In Brussels, the tourist tax is typically below $5 and is added onto your accommodation bill, but it varies from city to city.
• Bhutan : Visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person.
• Bulgaria : Tourist tax in Bulgaria varies on destination and hotel standard, but it is usually below $2.
• Caribbean islands: Most of the Caribbean islands charge tourist tax, and the price ranges depending on the island–in St Lucia, for example, it is around 8%, whereas in the Dominican Republic it is 18%.
• Croatia : The cost of tourist tax in Croatia depends on the season you are traveling in and where you are staying.
• Czech Republic: In Prague , tourist tax typically costs around CZK 50 per night (around $2).
• France : Tourist tax here is based on a municipal rate, but the standard cost is typically under $6 a night. As of this January, the nightly visitor fee in Paris has increased to between $3 and $17, dependent on hotel type.
• Germany : It varies from city to city–in Berlin , the standard tourist tax is 5% of the accommodation price.
• Greece : The price you pay in Greece depends on the standard and size of your accommodation. It shouldn’t be more than $5 per night.
• Hungary : Travelers should expect to pay around 4% of the cost of accommodation per night.
• Iceland: The newly reintroduced fee applies to travelers staying at campsites (about $2), hotels (about $4), and cruises (about $7).
• Italy: Venice will begin charging tourists a €5 nightly fee (about $5.50) in 2024.
• Indonesia: Starting on February 14, travelers will have to pay 150,000 rupiah (around $10) upon entering Bali .
• Italy : Depending on the city, tourist tax can be somewhere between $1 and $8 per night.
• Japan : If you’re traveling to Japan, expect to pay 1,000 yen (about $6.65) in tourist tax.
• Malaysia : In 2023, the cost of tourist tax across Malaysia was approximately $2 per night.
• New Zealand: Travelers visiting New Zealand have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which costs $35 NZD (about $22).
• Portugal : The country charges tourist tax in 13 cities, including Lisbon and Porto . The cost is about $2 per night.
• Thailand : The tourist tax for travelers visiting Thailand is 300 baht (about $8) for visitors arriving by air and 150 baht (about $4) for those arriving by land or water.
• The Netherlands : Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most expensive places for tourist tax–currently the rate states at 7% of accommodation price plus a flat rate of €3 (about $3.24) per person per night.
• Switzerland : The price varies depending on the destination, and it ranges from about CHF 2 (about $2.30) to CHF 7 (about $8) per person per night.
• Slovenia : Again, the rate changes from destination to destination (it is higher in cities than in more rural areas), but generally the cost is around €3 (about $3.24).
• Spain : Several cities in Spain have recently decided to raise the price of tourist tax, and other cities are in discussions about following suit. In Barcelona, the fee is €4 (about $4.30), whereas in the Balearic Islands the fee is between €1 (about $1.10).
• USA: When traveling to the US, visitors need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is a type of visa allowing travellers to stay in the country for up to 90 stays. It is valid for two years. The cost of an ESTA is $21. A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

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Is tourist tax still 5% and are children exempt ?

https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/tourists-could-soon-be-charged-overnight-tax-more-german-cities

Don't know about children. How old are they?

The tax is not imposed if you are travelling on business. It applies to children and is 5% of net room charge:

https://www.visitberlin.de/en/city-tax-berlin

Honestly if it is added I have never noticed.

On both occasions when I have stayed, it was included in the room rate and I was not asked to pay anything extra on check-out

I've never paid it separately either but on one occasion I was at the Raddison Blu and was behind a couple of very upset people threatening to bring down the Raddison empire as their reservation didn't include it and they were being asked for it.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Tourism tax rates in Germany

Last updated 12 January 2024 | Business travellers will no longer be exempt in Berlin from 1 April 2024 (unless stay contracted before 1 April). Further information here .

The tourist tax (kurtaxe) is decided by local governments (municipalities) and is usually known as the accommodation tax (übernachtungsteuer), lodging tax (beherbergungsabgabe) or culture tax (kulturförderabgabe).

Below are selected destinations and further information can be found by clicking on the name of the destination.

N.B. Munich does not levy a tourist tax

*  Baden  Baden Shortone  1   – Area between Sinzheimer Straße / Ooser Hauptstrasse and Klosterplatz (Lichtental) / Schafbergstraße, and all secondary roads except the district Balg       Shortone  2   – Remaining urban areas  

**  Leipzig –  €1 per person per night if cost of stay per night is not more than €30 including VAT

Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed should be used as guidance only.

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Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?

When traveling abroad, it's a good idea to account for any tourism taxes you must pay during your stay.

Some are a small extra cost added to what you pay for your accommodation per night. Others may be a one-and-done (or even daily) fee, such as Thailand's tourist tax . In some places like Bhutan, these fees can be quite costly.

You might find your vacation spot has implemented this kind of tax for several reasons. It could be a response to overtourism and concerns about sustainability and the environment (case in point: Venice, Italy), or it could simply be a way to help the local economy put funds back into tourism infrastructure.

Here, we'll look at top tourist destinations that charge a tourism tax and how much each will cost you.

After increasing its tourist tax in 2024, Amsterdam now has the highest tourist levy in Europe, with hotels, vacation rentals (including Airbnbs) and camping sites all charging guests an additional 12.5% of their overnight rate (excluding value-added tax).

Meanwhile, cruise travelers are charged 14 euros (around $15) as part of the "day tripper tax" for every day spent in Amsterdam. The charge, however, excludes passengers who start or end their cruise in Amsterdam and those living in Amsterdam.

Find out more about the various kinds of taxes on Amsterdam's official website .

Balearic Islands, Spain

Fees on the islands vary from 1 to 4 euros per night, depending on the accommodation type, as follows:

• 4 euros (around $4.30) for those staying in luxury hotels
• 3 euros (around $3.20) for those staying in midrange hotels
• 2 euros (around $2.15) for cruise passengers and those staying in cheaper hotels and apartments
• 1 euro (around $1) for campers and hostel guests

This sustainable tourism tax applies to Minorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza. Travelers under the age of 16 are exempt.

Germany charges tourists both a culture tax, known as "kulturforderabgabe," and a bed tax, known as "bettensteuer," in several of its more popular cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

In Berlin, the tourist tax is 5% of the room price. It varies in other cities such as Frankfurt (2 euros per night) and Hamburg (up to 3 euros per night).

Depending on the accommodation type (either the number of stars the hotel holds or the number of rooms), Greece charges 0.50 euros to 4 euros per night.

Manchester, England

The newly introduced City Visitor Charge costs 1 British pound ($1.25) per room, per night.

France's tourist tax varies depending on which city you are visiting but generally costs 0.80 euros to 4 euros per night, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. Find out more .

This year, however, Paris' tourist tax has been raised in advance of the Summer Olympics. You can now expect to pay between 0.75 and 15 euros per night, depending on your accommodation.

The tax is 2 euros per night for the first seven nights in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and nine other municipalities. Other parts of the country that charge a tourist tax usually have lower fees, around 1 euro to 1.50 euros per night.

In the capital of the Czech Republic, there is a charge of 50 korunas ($2.11) per person, per night for hotel stays.

In Rome, the tax varies from 3 to 7 euros per night, depending on the star rating of your accommodation.

In addition to the tourist taxes for Spain's Balearic Islands mentioned above, you'll find a couple of taxes apply when visiting Barcelona.

The city charges two different taxes to tourists. The first is the city tax, which increased in April 2024 to 3.25 euros per night. Visitors must also pay a regional tax depending upon the type of accommodation they're staying in.

• 2.25 euros per night for rental accommodations
• 1.70 euros per night for four-star hotels
• 3.50 euros per night for five-star and luxury hotels

Cruise passengers also pay different amounts depending on the length of their stay. Expect to pay 3 euros for visits less than 12 hours and 2 euros for visits longer than 12 hours.

Venice, Italy

Taxes in this popular tourist destination vary from 1 euro to 5 euros per night and are paid to your accommodation. A separate tax for people visiting on a daytrip during peak times between April and mid-July costs 5 euros.

Other destinations

Additional places in Europe that charge tourist taxes include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some locales may only have regional tourist taxes.

Tourist taxes can always be introduced later, so be sure to do your own research before you travel. This is especially true for Edinburgh, Scotland, as the city is on the brink of introducing a tax of 2 euros per night . Potential tourism tax discussions are also underway in Wales .

North America

A Transient Occupancy Tax of around 12% to 14% of the room price will appear on California hotel stays, according to Turbotax . There may be other tourism-related taxes as well.

Rates vary across the country, but Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec are among the areas that add a visitor tax to a hotel's price.

While Hawaii doesn't currently have a tourist tax, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check in to a hotel or short-term rental; it may pick up speed and become a reality at some point. This isn't the first time a fee on visitors has been suggested in Hawaii, with previous calls for a $50 so-called Green Fee visitor payment also recently put forward.

New York City

New York City charges a hotel room occupancy tax to visitors that costs about 14% of the room price plus up to $2 per room, per night, according to the New York City government website .

In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should expect taxes and fees on hotel stays in most other U.S. states.

Latin America, South America and the Caribbean

Buenos aires.

Tourists will pay $1.50 per room, per night when staying in Argentina's capital city.

The Caribbean

Taxes vary by country in the Caribbean. For example, Bonaire has a one-off $75 fee that tourists need to pay via its official website , while Aruba adds 12.5% to your room rate plus $3 per room, per night. In Barbados, you'll pay $2.50 to $10 per room, per night, and there will typically be a $70 departure tax already included in your flight cost.

Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also known to apply tourist taxes. Check details before booking or traveling, as there may be a departure tax already included in your airfare.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

In 2024, entry fees for visitors to Galapagos National Park are set to double in cost, with visitors now paying $200 to enter the park from Aug. 1. A reduced fee is set to be available for children under the age of 12, and children younger than 2 will be able to enter for free.

Quintana Roo, Mexico

This region charges a one-off tourist payment of 224 Mexican pesos (around $13) to visit any destination in Quintana Roo. This includes Cancun, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. A tourist tax may also be added to hotel stays in these areas and other parts of Mexico.

Asia and the Pacific

Bali, indonesia.

Bali introduced a tourist tax in February 2024. It charges 150,000 rupiahs (around $9.25) in addition to other visa fees. The tax aims to combat overtourism on the popular island.

Until recently, Bhutan charged a whopping $200 fee per day. Known as the Sustainable Development Fee, this tourist tax is designed to assist with paying for infrastructure improvements, environmental efforts and fair wages for locals, among other things.

However, this was recently reduced to around $100 per day to encourage more people to visit. This is the most expensive tourist tax in the world and is paid regardless of your accommodation type.

There is a charge of 1,000 yen ($6.47) included in all airfare for flights departing Japan. Find out more .

Malaysia's tourist tax costs 10 Malaysian ringgits ($2.08) per room, per night.

The tourism tax in the Maldives ranges from $3 to $6 per day. The Green Tax total varies depending on if you're staying in a guesthouse, hotel or resort. Find out more .

New Zealand

When you book your New Zealand visa, you'll usually pay 35 New Zealand dollars ($20.60) for the International Visitor Levy.

A one-time fee of 300 baht ($8.14) was introduced in June 2023. All tourists arriving by air will need to pay this tax. For visitors who enter the country via a port or land border, the fee will be 150 baht.

Bottom line

More and more, tourist taxes are becoming a regular part of travel around the world. While these fees are nominal and shouldn't cause too much of a dent in your budget in most cases, they can rack up quite quickly in some destinations if you're not careful. Always research the fees at the destination you plan to visit before you get there, and make sure you budget for it if you don't want a surprise bill.

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• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
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• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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If you are visiting Berlin on holiday from a country outside the European Union, you are entitled to a refund of the VAT paid on purchases made in Germany during your stay here. This regulation applies to everything that you buy here for your private use. One exception is parts for your car or other means of transport. In Germany, the standard VAT rate is 19% of the net price. It is normally included in the price shown on the shelf/price tag, but will usually be listed separately on your receipt. All beverages, except milk and bottled water, are also taxed at the standard VAT rate. Products used on a daily basis such as books, newspapers, and food as well as art are taxed at the reduced rate of 7%.

How Tax Free Shopping works

When buying something that you plan to export, ask for the tax free form from the service provider cooperating with the merchant. Keep this and the original receipt. When it’s time to leave, present the completed tax-free forms and your receipts to customs at the airport so that they can confirm that you are exporting the goods. The purchased goods must be taken out of the EU within three months of purchase to be eligible for a VAT refund. There are several ways to get your refund. You could have it disbursed in cash at the counters run by the tax free service provider or one of its partners. Or you could have it credited back to your credit card. For both options, you should be aware that the tax free service will deduct a service fee and also perhaps a fee for cash disbursement. For more information about tax free shopping and an overview of where to obtain your refunds in Germany, go to the website of Premier Tax Free . Or contact us at [email protected]

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Barcelona increases its tourist tax this week: Where else will you have to pay to enter in 2024?

From the Algarve to Barcelona, fees are being introduced to try and combat overtourism.

Overtourism could have been 2023's word of the year in the travel industry.

News of the negative impacts of too many tourists was everywhere. The world's most popular destinations, like Venice, Barcelona and New Zealand, are struggling to keep visitor numbers under control. 

What is the problem with overtourism? Well, local residents suffer as property becomes unaffordable due to landlords buying up holiday lets. Authorities struggle to manage the rubbish left behind by tourists, and pollution contributes to the climate crisis.

One tactic that destinations are banking on, literally, is tourist taxes: fees that visitors have to pay, on top of the usual expenses like accommodation and food.

This is not a new concept, of course. If you've travelled abroad, you've likely paid a tourist tax before. You may never even have noticed it - as it’s sometimes worked into airline tickets or the taxes you pay at your hotel.

Read on for the places that introduced tourist taxes in 2023, and those that are to come in 2024.

• Fake signs at Spanish beaches warn English-speaking tourists to stay away
• Greece: Acropolis introduces cap on daily visitor numbers and staggered entry times

Barcelona is increasing its tourist tax (again) in 2024

In 2022, city authorities announced that Barcelona’s tourist tax would be increased over the next two years.

Since 2012, visitors to the Catalan capital have had to pay both the regional tourist tax and an extra city-wide surcharge.

On 1 April 2023, city authorities increased the municipal fee to €2.75.

A second increase will happen on 1 April 2024, when the fee will rise to €3.25.

The tax applies to visitors staying in official tourist accommodation.

The council said the proceeds will be used to fund the city’s infrastructure, including improvements to roads, bus services and escalators. 

• Table for one? Barcelona’s restaurants turn away solo diners in favour of tourist groups

Portimão, Portugal, introduced tourist tax in March 2024

Portimão has followed in the footsteps of neighbouring towns by introducing a tourist tax in March.

The port city in Portugal's Algarve will vary the tax from high to low season, setting it at €2 per night from April to October and €1 per night from November to March. 

Olhão, a Portuguese fishing town popular with tourists, similarly started charging visitors €2 a night between April and October last year. The tax is reduced to €1 between November and March. It does not apply to children under the age of 16 and is capped at five nights - so a maximum of €10 - per trip.

The fees are being used to minimise the impact of tourism on the Algarve towns, including improving cleanliness, security and sustainability. 

Two of the Algarve's 16 municipalities already charged a tourist tax: Faro (€1.5 per night up to seven nights between March and October) and Vila Real de Santo António (€1 per day up to seven days).

Bali: Tourist tax introduced in February 2024

Known as the Land of the Gods, Bali attracts visitors from all over the world to its beaches, islands and spiritual culture.

But tourism also means problems and Bali is hoping to solve some of these with a new tax that must be paid to enter the country.

Since 14 February 2024, international and domestic arrivals have to pay a fee of IDR 150,000 (€8.80). This needs to be paid at special booths at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. Authorities say the process takes less than 30 seconds.

They said the proceeds go towards projects that ‘preserve the environment, nature and culture as well as improving quality’ of Bali.

• Bali is banning tourists from renting motorbikes to crack down on bad behaviour 

Is Thailand introducing a tourist fee in 2024?

Back in 2022, it was rumoured that a tourist tax would be introduced in June 2023. This didn't happen, then the next deadline of October didn't happen either. And there have been no confirmed plans for 2024. 

Airlines and airline-representing bodies are said to have challenged the fee.

When it was first rumoured, it was said the tax would be 300 Baht (€8).

In 2022, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand told Reuters news agency that part of the fee will “be used to take care of tourists” as there have been times when health insurance didn’t cover them. It will also help finance further developments of tourist attractions, such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok .

Venice's tourist tax: When will visitors have to pay to enter in 2024?

Venice 's tourist tax has been the subject of much debate and delays. The city is one of the most overtouristed in Europe, forcing locals out of the city centre's narrow and crowded streets.

It is now confirmed that the lagoon city will trial an entry fee for part of 2024.

Visitors will have to pay a fee of €5 to enter on peak weekends and other days between April and mid-July - 29 days in total.

• I've lived in Venice for 8 years. Why are cruise ships still stopping here when they’ve been banned?

The day-tripper fee will be in force during peak hours (8.30 am - 4 pm), meaning visitors who come into Venice for dinner or a concert won’t have to pay.

The entry fee aims to reduce crowds, encourage longer visits and improve quality of life for residents.

Proceeds from the entry fees will go towards services that help the residents of the city, like maintenance, cleaning and reducing living costs.

Read this article for full details on Venice's tourist tax.

These are all the countries where you already have to pay a tourist fee to get in

Many countries already have a tourist fee in place, for a variety of reasons.

For some, it’s to do with trying to curb the number of tourists and to prevent overtourism .

For others it’s almost like a sustainability tax on each visitor. The money from these taxes goes towards maintaining tourism facilities and protecting natural resources.

In Austria you pay an overnight accommodation tax, which varies depending on which province you’re in. In Vienna or Salzburg, you'll pay an extra 3.02 per cent on the hotel bill per person.

The tourism levy is also known as Tourismusgesetz and Berherbergungsbeiträge.

The tourist tax in Belgium is also applied to accommodation, for every night you stay there.

The fee is sometimes included in the room rate of the hotel but some separate the cost out and make it a supplemental charge, so you need to check your bill carefully.

Antwerp and Bruges charge a rate per room. The rate in Brussels varies depending on the hotel's size and rating.

In general it’s around €7.50.

• Off the beaten track: Where to go in Europe to avoid the tourist traps

While most countries’ tourist fees are below around €20, Bhutan’s tax is sky high in comparison.

The minimum daily fee for most foreigners is: $250 (€228) per person per day during high season and slightly less in low season.

But it covers a lot, including accommodation, transportation in the country, a guide, food, and entry fees.

Bulgaria applies a tourist fee on overnight stays.

It’s very low and varies depending on area and hotel classification - up to around €1.50.

Caribbean Islands

Most Caribbean islands have tourist taxes added to the hotel cost or a departure fee.

Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic , Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands all have some form of fee for visitors.

Fees range from €13 in the Bahamas to €45 in Antigua and Barbuda.

Croatia raised its tourist tax in 2019. The increased rate only applies during peak season in the summer though.

Visitors pay around 10 kuna (€1.33) per person per night.

Czech Republic

You only need to pay a tourist fee in the Czech Republic when visiting the capital city, Prague .

It is very small (under €1) and paid per person, per night, up to 60 nights. The tax does not apply to children under 18.

France: Higher tourist tax in Paris thanks to the 2024 Olympics

There is a 'taxe de séjour' to pay in France . It is added to your hotel bill and varies depending on which city you are in.

The rates range from €0.20 to around €4 per person, per night.

Tourist hotspots like Paris and Lyon use the money to maintain tourism infrastructure.

In anticipation of the 2024 Olympics , the tourist tax on hotel rooms have increased by 200 per cent, as of January 2024.

Depending on the type of accommodation, the fee ranges from €0.75 to €15 per night.

Germany has what they call a 'culture tax' ('kulturförderabgabe'), and also a "bed tax” (a bettensteuer), in cities including Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin .

The fee is around 5 per cent of your hotel bill.

The tourist tax in Greece is based on the number of hotel stars or number of rooms you're renting. It can be anything up to €4 per room.

It was introduced by the Greek Ministry of Tourism to help cut the country's debt.

• Germans in Berlin and Brits in Barcelona: Europeans’ favourite winter holiday spots revealed

Tourist fees in Hungary only apply in Budapest .

Travellers have to pay an extra 4 per cent every night based on the price of their room.

Tourist taxes in Italy depend on where you are. In Sicily , fees range from €1 to €3 per night.

Whereas, Rome's fee ranges from €3 to €7 per night depending on the type of room, but some smaller cities charge more.

• 14 days in Italy: A complete guide to travelling by train for a whistle stop tour of the country

In Japan it comes in the form of a departure tax. Visitors to Japan pay 1,000 yen (around €8) as they leave the country.

The official tourism website claims this small tax makes “a significant difference” to the economy.

Malaysia’s tourist tax is a flat rate and applied per night you stay.

It’s not much more than about €4 a night.

• ‘It was magical’: Greeks are discovering their forgotten mountains as summer heatwaves hit beaches
• The most romantic walk in the world: Italy’s Path of Love reopens after more than a decade

New Zealand

Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) when they arrive.

But people from Australia are exempt.

It’s $35 New Zealand dollars which is around €21.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has a land tourist tax and a water tourist tax.

In Amsterdam , this currently amounts to 7 per cent of the cost of a hotel room. It’s called 'toeristenbelasting'. 

In 2024, it will rise to 12.5 per cent, making it the highest tourist tax in Europe. It will apply to cruise passengers and overnight visitors alike.

• Flowery bikes, eco-living and a rules quiz: Amsterdam paints a new vision of the city for tourists

Portugal's low tourist tax is paid per person per night and is only applicable to guests who are 13 and over. 

It’s around €2 and currently applies in 13 of Portugal's 308 municipalities, including the cities of Porto, Lisbon and Faro.

You only have to pay it on the first seven days of your stay.

The tourist tax in Slovenia varies based on location and hotel rating.

It’s slightly higher in larger cities and resort towns, including Ljubljana and Bled - around €3.

If you're heading to Ibiza or Majorca, you'll have to pay a tourist tax.

The Sustainable Tourist Tax, which applies to holiday accommodation on Spain ’s Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera), also applies to each holidaymaker aged 16 or over.

During the high season, the tax can reach up to €4 per night.

Valencia, meanwhile, scrapped plans to introduce a tourist tax in 2024 following last year's election.

Switzerland

The tourist tax in Switzerland varies depending on the location. The cost is per night and per person and is around €2.20.

Quotes for accommodation usually do not include the tourist tax - it is specified as a separate amount, so it’s easier to keep track of.

And it only applies to stays under 40 days.

A hotel tax or lodging tax for travellers renting accommodation is charged in most of the United States. It’s also called an occupancy tax.

The fees apply at hotels, motels and inns. The highest rate is reportedly paid in Houston, with a 17 per cent tax on your hotel bill.

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Taxing tourists: beware the extra charges that can make your hotel more costly

City tax imposed on hotel stays in Europe, including in Paris, Berlin and Rome, could potentially add up to £6 per person per night to your bill

Y ou may have budgeted for your next overseas city break away, but you could still be in for a shock if your hotel charges city tax. The tax can add up to £12 a night to the cost of a double room, and you may only be presented with the bill when it’s time to check out.

City tax is charged on hotel stays across many European cities including Paris, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and Barcelona, and in some more far-flung destinations, such as Dubai and America. Rates and charging structures vary, but can go up to £6 per person per night.

Bob Atkinson from TravelSupermarket.com says in some cities you can expect to pay on a per person, per night basis, while in others, such as Berlin, Amsterdam and Cologne, city tax is charged at a flat rate of 5% of your hotel room bill. You may have to pay for your children too – in Berlin, for instance, their stay is taxed, while in Italy there are usually exemptions for the under-14s or under-16s.

Paris is relatively cheap, says Atkinson, with charges from 20 cents to €1.50 (£1.30) per person per night, based on hotel location and star rating. In contrast, in Rome you can pay up to €7 per person per night, he says, which works out at more than £80 for two people if you’re staying for a week.

It’s generally hotels that charge city tax, according to Atkinson, as “small private accommodation tends to be exempt and stays at Airbnb seem to avoid it in some places, although Paris is one city where it must be collected”. Once again, there are quirks in the system: in some places, including Cologne and Berlin, business travellers are exempt from the tax, and in Italy children under 14, (or 16 in some places), can be exempt.

While you may think this is a sneaky way for hotels to boost their coffers, the money doesn’t go directly into their pockets, although where it goes varies too. “In some cities payments go to supporting the local tourist industry and developing it, for example, in Cologne,” says Atkinson. But in Italy the tax is used to “raise revenue for hard-pressed government departments”.

In the Catalonia region of Spain where city tax has been in operation since 2012, it has raised a total of €126m, which has been split between the Catalan Tourism Agency, local tourism boards and town halls.

Since July, the Spanish government has charged a new “tourist tax” on hotel stays in the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca. It’s charged at a rate of up to €2 per person per night, depending on the type of accommodation, and is collected by the hotel. The upper rate applies to four- and five-star hotels; you may only pay €1 a night if you’re staying in a basic holiday apartment.

As city tax isn’t an issue in the UK, holidaymakers heading abroad may easily be confused about whether it has already been included in their holiday price if they’ve booked a package deal, or whether they need to save some money to cover this. Sean Tipton from ABTA, the group representing travel agents, says the basic rule is that “any locally collected taxes, which includes city tax, won’t be included as part of your package”.

This means it is up to you to cover the cost on arrival or departure at your hotel, which could be a shock if you haven’t read the notes with your booking.

Budget flight company Jet2.com confirms that the tax isn’t included in its city breaks packages and should be paid locally at the hotel. It says it warns customers upfront: “We notify customers when they book, and they have to tick a box to say that they’ve read this.” Details are also contained in Jet2’s terms and conditions.

Both Thomson and First Choice also say city tax (if levied at your destination) isn’t included in package prices, adding, “we advise customers they are chargeable on arrival rather than included in the package price”.

If you’re booking accommodation independently, check you read the hotel’s website carefully, including details of any city tax charges. While these should all be listed – sites such as Booking.com put details alongside the room listing – it can be possible to spot the room rate, think you’ve got a bargain and forget to factor in the extra costs. In most cases you can pay any tax due on departure, by cash or card.

While city tax isn’t an issue in the UK, Camden council did propose a form of a tourist tax last year to help with street cleaning, in the wake of government cuts. Camden was suggesting a £1 a night tax on hotel stays in central London, but imposing such changes would mean new legislation being brought in. A council spokesperson says that for now, “the idea remains an idea and it has not been adopted or dismissed”.

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Which destinations have a tourist tax?

Wales and edinburgh are considering introducing tourist taxes, while cities including venice, amsterdam and lisbon already do it. here’s what you need to know – and how much it’ll cost.

T ravel can be a huge force for good, bringing not just economic benefits but cultural ones too. And in a bid to offset the negative aspects of tourism — or to further cash in — an increasing number of destinations are asking holidaymakers to pay a fee when they visit.

The so-called tourist tax is used for everything from building new roads to addressing environmental concerns, or is even being ploughed back into promoting the destination to potential visitors. Some, like the $200 a night charged in Bhutan , are designed to limit visitor numbers too.

Wales has announced it has launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce an overnight tax on visitors, in order to combat unsustainable tourism. Wales joins Edinburgh in considering a tourist tax. Should it come into play, tourists will pay £2 per night for the seven days of their trip, capped at £14.

The amount and type of tourist tax vary enormously — here are some of the popular holiday destinations where it applies.

Main photo: monks in Punakha, Bhutan (Getty Images)

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How much? €1-5 per person a night Chronically busy Venice has been charging visitors a tourist tax on the first five nights of their stay since 2011. The amount — between €1 and €5 per person a night, payable on check-in — depends on where you’re staying in the city, the style of accommodation and the time of year. There’s a discount for children. From summer 2023, the city is expected to introduce the long delayed day-tripper tax, which will cost up to €10 a day, affecting mainly cruise passengers.

• Best budget hotels in Venice • Best things to do in Venice

How much? €2-7 per person a night Venice is far from the only Italian city where a tourist tax is applied. The capital Rome charges an even higher contributo al soggiorno, which applies to the first ten days of your stay in the city (or five if it’s in a campsite). The tax ranges from €2 to €7 per person a night according to the class of your accommodation. There’s no escape if you’re renting from Airbnb or similar — the tax is automatically applied when you book.

• Best hotels in Rome • Best things to do in Rome

How much? €0.5-4 per room a night Introduced by the country’s Ministry of Tourism in 2018 to help cut national debt, Greece ’s Overnight Stay Tax ranges from €0.5-4 a night. The exact rate is determined by the official rating of the accommodation you’re staying in, and remains the same year round. Unlike elsewhere though, the amount payable is per room rather than per person — so if there’s a big group of you sharing a room, it’ll work out cheaper.

• Best family hotels in Greece • Best all-inclusive hotels in Greece

How much? €0.25-5 per person a night All French municipalities, including Paris , have the option of applying a taxe de séjour, which, among other things, helps with local tourism development. The amount ranges from €0.20 to €4 per person a night depending on the type and quality of accommodation. The municipalities can choose to apply an additional city tax on top of this. In the case of Paris, it’s a 25 per cent tax, which brings the actual nightly rate to between €0.25 and €5 per person.

• Best budget hotels in Paris • Best things to do in Paris

5. Amsterdam

How much? Seven per cent of room rate plus €3 per person per night Amsterdam ’s toeristenbelasting is the highest tourist tax in Europe. Visitors to the Dutch capital previously paid a levy that was seven per cent of the room rate, which applied to hotel stays and camping sites. But in 2020, the city introduced an additional flat fee of €3 per person per night. Those staying in Airbnbs and similar holiday accommodation have to pay an even higher fee of ten per cent. For cruise passengers, there’s a day-tripper tax (dagtoeristenbelasting) of €8 per person.

• Best hotels in Amsterdam • Best things to do in Amsterdam

6. Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera)

How much? €1-4 per person plus ten per cent VAT a day The Balearic Islands’ Tax for Sustainable Tourism ranges from €1 to €4 per person a day for over-16s, plus ten per cent VAT. The exact amount depends on the time of year and type of accommodation, and is usually paid at check-out. Cruise passengers are not exempt — ships docked in any of the four islands are considered to be staying over, even if it’s only in port for a couple of hours. A discount on the tax applies from day nine.

• Best all-inclusive hotels in Mallorca • Best family hotels in Ibiza

How much? €2 per person a night Lisbon introduced its tourist tax in 2015, originally as a temporary measure. There were two separate fees: €1 per person for those arriving by plane or boat (other modes of transport were exempt) and, from 2016, €1 per person a night for the first week for overnight visitors. The scheme raised millions for the Portuguese city, which made the tax permanent in 2019 and doubled the rate to €2 per person a night, applicable for the first five days.

• Best hotels in Lisbon • Best things to do in Lisbon

8. Switzerland

How much? CHF 0.5-6.50 per person a night Every canton in Switzerland charges a tourist tax — though not necessarily every town or city — but the amount varies. How they’re applied varies too. Lucerne’s, for example, ranges from CHF 0.5-6.50 per person a night, and is dependent on the category of accommodation. Those in Zurich, meanwhile, pay a flat fee of CHF 2.50 regardless of the grade of their accommodation. Tourists do see some direct benefits — most cities offer overnight guests free public transport as part of their stay.

• Best hotels in Switzerland • Best ski resorts in Switzerland

How much? Five per cent of the room rate Only a handful of German cities apply a tourist tax at the moment and its capital Berlin is among them. Introduced in 2014, the tax is the equivalent of five per cent of the cost of your stay for the first 21 days, excluding any extras such as breakfast. If you’re travelling for business or education purposes, and can provide evidence of this by way of a letter, you’re exempt from the tax. In most cases though, the tax is automatically applied to your bill.

• Best budget hotels in Berlin • Best things to do in Berlin

How much? CZK 50 per person a night Prague had one of the lowest tourist taxes in Europe at CZK 21 (72p), but this was raised at the beginning of 2022. Overnight guests now pay CZK 50 (£1.71) per person a night; it’s a flat fee that’s applied to the first 60 days in the city. It’s hoped that the extra funds will go towards development of tourism in the city — previously tourism promotion was partially funded by taxes on residents.

• Best budget hotels in Prague • Best things to do in Prague

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Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Germany

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in the City of Dresden, Germany will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 6% of the listing price including any cleaning fees for all reservations in Desden, Germany. For detailed information, please visit the City of Dresden's Tourist Tax website .

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Dortmund, Germany will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 7.5% of the listing price, excluding any cleaning fees for reservations in Dortmund, Germany. For detailed information, please visit the City of Dortmund's Tourist Tax website .

Frankfurt am Main

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 2 € per person per night for reservations in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. For detailed information, please visit the City of Frankfurt's Tourist Tax website .

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in the City of Wiesbaden, Germany will pay the following tax as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 5 € per person per night for reservations 30 nights and shorter in Wiesbaden, Germany. For detailed information, visit the City of Wiesbaden Tourist Tax Information website.

Find out more about how occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb works .

Note: Hosts located in these areas are responsible for assessing all other tax obligations, including state and city jurisdictions. Hosts with listings in these areas should also review their agreement with Airbnb under the Terms of Service and familiarize themselves with the Occupancy Tax provisions which allow us to collect and remit taxes on their behalf and explains how the process works. Under those provisions, hosts instruct and authorize Airbnb to collect and remit Occupancy Taxes on their behalf in jurisdictions where Airbnb decides to facilitate such collection. If a host believes applicable laws exempt the host from collecting a tax that Airbnb collects and remits on the host's behalf, the host has agreed that, by accepting the reservation, the host is waiving that exemption. If a host does not want to waive an exemption the host believes exists, the host should not accept the reservation.

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Tourist Taxes Are Rising at Some of the World's Most Popular Destinations

Seemingly everywhere you look, tourist fees are cropping up or increasing right now..

Published on 4/22/2024 at 4:35 PM

If you love to travel, chances are you love international travel even more than its domestic counterpart—and as you might’ve guessed, you’re not alone.

With travel in full bloom since the peak pandemic days, in the past two years popular cities and destinations have reported sky-high tourism numbers. While that is, on one hand, a great thing for a city’s local economy and its tourism industry, it can also pose a threat to the city itself. That threat has a name, and it’s overtourism, which can lead to damage to nature as well as culture and heritage, not to mention the alienation of local residents, a poor tourist experience, and overloaded infrastructure, among other challenges.

In an effort to curb the phenomenon and help make the tourism industry more sustainable, many cities across the globe have opted for a monetary solution through a tourist tax—or, if one already existed, they increased the fee of it. Other cities, like Como, Italy , haven’t laid out an exact plan for a tourist tax, but have announced that one is in the works.

This year, many bucket-list destinations made headlines for either introducing or renewing their tourist fees, while still others are still mulling it all over . To help you better plan your next vacation abroad (especially from a financial standpoint) we put together a handy guide featuring all the hottest destinations that have recently added new tourist fees or increased the preexisting ones. This guide will be updated based on any new tourist fee plans.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

When: Already in place New tourist tax cost: 12.5% of overnight stay (compared to previous 7%); for cruises, tourist tax is €11 (roughly $12) per person per day (compared to previous €8 (roughly $9)

Bali, Indonesia

When: Already in place ( started on February 14 ) New tourist tax cost: 150,000 IDR (roughly $10) per person

Barcelona, Spain

When: Already in place (started on April 1) New tourist tax cost: €3.25 (roughly $3.50 per person per night only paid for the first seven consecutive days (compared to previous €2.75 per night, which is roughly $3)

When: Already in place ( started on January 1 ) New tourist tax cost: 333 ISK (roughly $2.40) per overnight stay; for cruises, 1000 ISK (roughly $7.20) per overnight stay

Manchester, UK

When: Already in place (started on April 1, 2023) New tourist tax cost: £1 (roughly $1.25) per room per night

Olhão, Portugal

When: Already in place (started in June 2023) New tourist tax cost: €2 (roughly $2.1) per night during high season (April to October) and €1 (roughly $1) during the rest of the year (November to March) for a maximum of five nights in a row

When: Already in place ( started in 2023 ) New tourist tax cost: 300 baht (roughly $9) if arriving by air and 150 baht (roughly $4) if arriving by land or water. The fee must only be paid once

Valencia, Spain

When: Not yet defined, expected in 2024 New tourist tax cost: €2 (roughly $2.1) compared to previous €0.50 (roughly $0.53)

Venice, Italy

When: Already in place (on peak weekends and other days between April and mid-July for a total of 29 days and only during peak hours from 8:30am until 4pm) New tourist tax cost: €5 (roughly $5.4) for daily visitors (overnight travelers and locals are exempt)

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This popular European city is the latest to increase its tourist tax to battle overtourism

Barcelona is the latest European city to increase its city-wide tourist tax, a slight increase of €0.50 (about $0.53) per night, as the city seeks to curb overtourism. 

The new price of €3.25 (about $3.45) was implemented on April 1 as part of the Stays in Tourist Establishments Tax . The bylaw was introduced in 2021, when the tourist tax was €0.75 (around $0.80) per night, and gradually increased the tax each year through 2024. Now, if someone is staying in Barcelona for seven nights, the new total tax amount will be €22.75 (around $24).

“It was the objective sought: to contain the number of tourists and increase tourist income because our model is no longer mass tourism but quality tourism, which adds value to the city,” deputy mayor Jaume Collboni said in March, according to Euronews . 

The tax is added to a tourist’s accommodations bill when they stay at official tourist establishments in the city. The money goes toward enhancing the city’s infrastructure, such as improving roads. 

Other popular European destinations, such as Amsterdam and Venice, also recently increased tourist taxes for similar reasons. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Are tourist taxes the future of travel? What to know about the increasing tourist fees worldwide.

“The new and increasing tourist fees across Europe allow cities to fund measures to attract more vacationers, support the local infrastructure and businesses, as well as preventing damages from overtourism,” Tiffany Mealiff, a travel insurance expert at Quotezone , said in a statement to USA TODAY.

However, Barcelona visitors have had to pay a regional tourist tax since 2012, according to Euronews . This tax amount depends on a traveler’s accommodation type, costing more if someone is staying at a luxury hotel than an Airbnb. 

Barcelona continues to reign as Spain’s most popular tourist destination. In 2022, Barcelona welcomed 9.7 million tourists , just slightly below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the Barcelona City Council. However, tourists were found to be staying in the city longer than in 2019. 

In 2022, the city also sought to cap the number of people in a tour group and ban megaphones by tour guides in an effort to curb the disruptive effects of overtourism. 

Travelers planning their European getaway should be mindful of the additional costs that “are often not obvious beforehand,” according to Mealiff, as they plan their trip budgets.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

Moab businesses report strong start to tourist season

After 2022 and 2023 slumps, 2024 spring seems robust..

(Sophia Fisher | Moab Times-Independent) People gather outside Back of Beyond Books in Moab on April 12, 2024.

After some trepidation following post-coronavirus travel slumps, several business owners are reporting a relatively strong start to the 2024 season.

For Chile Pepper Bike Shop, the week of Easter Jeep Safari — which occurred March 23–31 — served as a beneficial jolt to the traditional kickoff of spring tourist season.

“Easter weekend was a great start,” said store manager Phillip Martin. “I would say we were more consistent through March in general.”

Several hoteliers said the same at recent Grand County Travel Council Advisory Board meetings.

“We had an exceptionally busy Jeep Safari/Easter week,” said Brian Hunnings, chair of the board and manager of Red Cliffs Lodge.

“We did really well on Jeep Safari,” agreed Rebecca Monceaux, another member of the board who manages sales for the Element Moab. “…The season has hit full swing for us.”

While not necessarily indicative of the upcoming year, a robust spring may come as a relief following several years of post-coronavirus corrections in the tourism market.

“Everyone’s brand is diluted from COVID,” said Grand County Economic Development Director Ben Fredregill. “This is not a Moab-only [issue].”

At an international tourism conference he recently attended in Berlin, Germany, Fredregill said he was surprised at the money other adventure-tourist destinations are pouring into their marketing efforts.

“We are in a hugely competitive market — it’s always been competitive,” he said. “It is now on steroids.”

Fredregill noted that Moab’s tourist economy has faced other post-pandemic challenges, too. He specifically named the recent appeal of international travel coupled with the sluggish return of international tourists to U.S. markets, and increased selectivity in travel generally.

Indeed, following a bumper 2021 when the county’s Transient Room Tax revenue soared by 45% over 2019 levels, tax revenues noticeably slumped. They declined by 11.6% from 2021 to 2022 and another 8.4% from 2022 to 2023, according to Utah Office of Tourism analysis of inflation adjusted data from the Utah State Tax Commission.

Simultaneously, local hotels and short-term rentals had slightly more empty rooms in 2023 than 2022. According to Smith Travel Research, occupancy dropped 4% in 2023 compared to 2022. The research company Lighthouse estimated that occupancy of short-term rentals dropped by 5% the same year.

(Lighthouse also found that Grand County’s short-term rental supply climbed 14% from 2022 to 2023.)

The post-pandemic slackening isn’t necessarily unique to Moab, however. Many of Utah’s popular parks saw “a bit of a dip” following a travel-heavy 2021, per Denise Jordan, the director of marketing analytics and research for the Utah Office of Tourism.

“What we’ve seen since then is a … leveling out back to what we had seen in 2017, 2018, 2019,” Jordan said.

Visitation for Canyonlands National Park reflect that — their roughly 800,000 visitors in 2022 and 2023 roughly mirrors 2016–19. Arches National Park, on the other hand, saw about 1.4 million visitors in 2022 and 2023, more closely resembling 2015 and 2016 totals.

Jordan said one of the biggest differencesbetween Utah’s pre- and post-pandemic tourism is the absence of international visitors.

“What we know we’re missing is some of the international travel,” she said. “We haven’t seen international travel fully rebound.”

The state tourism office currently expects tourists from places like Europe and Asia to rebound to “2019 or greater numbers” in 2025, Jordan said.

Fredregill said he’s heard that many travelers are also more selective in their vacations.

“People that normally took three trips are now taking one,” he said.

At Chile Pepper, Martin said he’s seeing more spontaneous trips and fewer pre-booked travels.

“It feels like seat-of-your-pants tourism,” he joked.

Regardless, several business owners and managers reported rosy business in the first quarter of 2024.

Michael Miller, manager of Dewey’s Restaurant and Bar, said 2023 was a “decent” year and he’s anticipating the same this season.

“The mild weather really helped,” Miller said. “We feel like we’re in a good spot.”

At the travel council board’s March 12 meeting, both Hunnings and Monceaux reported a strong March.

“People are not afraid to spend money,” Hunnings said. “We’re definitely seeing a return of guests that all went to Europe last year because Europe opened up after COVID and now they’re back.”

Moab Chamber of Commerce Board President Shalee Bryant at the board’s April 9 meeting said she’s heard positive forecasts from several local businesses.

“I am hearing people are a little bit more optimistic than they were last year,” Bryant said. She noted, however, that some food trucks are still seeing deflated earnings after a tough 2023.

“They’re feeling a little concerned right now — just don’t want another repeat,” she said.

At the bike shop, Martin said the outdoor industry is still undergoing a reset and stabilization after the coronavirus boom. Staff are being conservative with their plans, he said, but they’re still feeling optimistic about business in 2024.

“The weather is good and getting better,” he said. “In general, I think the vibes are pretty high.”

This story was first published by The Times-Independent .

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