Tourist tax isn’t a new concept. It is often included in your accommodation price.
Not everywhere charges a tax, but many new destinations will start charging one by 2024.
Introduced in countries and cities, a tourism tax helps control over-tourism and aids development and preservation. Now several new destinations are imposing the tax due to the impact COVID-19 had on their economies and generating much-needed income.
Spain
The tourist tax already exists in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza), and will increase in 2024. And two new cities are due to introduce the tax next year as well.
Valencia
Valencia is one such city to follow suit. Travellers staying in hotels, apartments, hostels and campsites will all be charged this new fee from early 2024. Fees will vary between 44p and £1.75 per night. The tax will be used to provide more affordable housing for Valencia residents and go towards sustainable tourism.
Madrid
Madrid is one of the most visited Spanish cities and receives huge numbers of visitors each year. The city is considering introducing the tax as it would benefit residents. A date has not been confirmed yet, but it could well be introduced at some point.
Italy
The tourist tax in Italy is in place in over 30 destinations and is included in accommodation prices. Yet, Venice is set to introduce a whole new tax.
Venice
Venice is going to install a £4.30 (€5) fee for all foreign day visitors who want to enter the city. It will start as a 30-day pilot programme to test how it will work best. Travellers under 14, locals, commuters and second homeowners will not need to pay. Venice would then become the first city in the world to charge day visitors.
Portugal
13 municipalities throughout Portugal charge a tourist tax. They are: Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Póvoa do Varzim, Coimbra, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Mafra, Óbidos, Faro, Vila Real de Santo António and Santa Cruz.
Figueira da Foz is set to join them in 2024. The tax will vary depending on the time of year and the amount of nights spent here. October to March will be cheaper and the busier seasons of April to September will be more. Under 16s and the disabled are exempt.
Indonesia
Indonesia does not charge tourists taxes in any part of its territory. That is all set to change in 2024, with the first one implemented on the much-visited island of Bali.
Bali
As of 14 February 2024, all visitors to the island of Bali will be charged £7.60 (IDR 150,000). The island has been plagued with disrespectful visitors in recent years. The government hopes this tax can help preserve the island’s culture and environment.
Destinations that already charge a tourist tax
Austria
3.2% is added to Vienna accommodation bills.
Belgium
Tax in Brussels is usually below £3.50 and added to accommodation costs, but it does vary from city to city.
Bhutan
After seeing an increase of 200% over the last few years, it is now finally decreasing. It will be a daily Sustainable Development Fee of £90 for adults and £60 for children aged six to 12. The old tax system included food, accommodation and transport but the new reduced tax does not. So visitors still need to budget for all that on top of the new tax.
Bulgaria
Tourist tax in Bulgaria varies depending on destination and hotel standard, but it is around £1.30.
Caribbean Islands
The majority of Caribbean islands charge a tourist tax, and the price varies depending on the island. For example, in St Lucia, it is around 8%, and in the Dominican Republic, it is 18%.
Croatia
Tourist tax in Croatia depends on the season and where you are staying, but it can range from 20p to 70p per day.
Czech Republic
Tourist tax in Prague costs around £1.75 per night.
France
Tourist tax varies by municipality, but the standard cost is between 20p and £4.30 per night. Yet, as of January 2024 the tax to visit the French capital, Paris, is increasing by 200%. This means a nightly fee for a double room of around £10.
Germany
It varies from city to city. In Berlin, the average tourist tax is 5% of the accommodation price.
Greece
The price you pay depends on your accommodation’s standard and size. But it should be no more than £3.50 per night.
Hungary
You will be charged 4% of your accommodation cost per night.
Italy
Depending on the city, the tourist tax can be somewhere between 80p and £6.10 per night. The new Venice day tax is a separate tax and you pay one or the other, depending on whether you are staying overnight.
Japan
Travelling to Japan? Expect to pay approximately £5.50 in tourist tax.
Malaysia
The Malaysian tourist tax is £1.68 per night.
New Zealand
Visitors have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which costs £17.20.
Portugal
Currently, this country charges a tourist tax in 15 cities, including Lisbon, Faro and Porto. The cost is £1.75 per night in peak season and half that in low season.
Thailand
Planned for 2022 but delayed. Thailand’s tourist fees will be about £6.75.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam is set to have the most expensive tourist tax in Europe. The tax will increase to 12.5% of your hotel room price.
Switzerland
The price of tourist tax depends on the destination and can vary from £1.81 to £6.34 per person, per night.
Slovenia
Again, the rate changes from destination to destination and is higher in cities than in rural areas. On average the cost is around £2.60.
Spain
Several cities in Spain have decided to increase the tourist tax in 2024. In Barcelona, the fee is £3.45 and the Balearic Islands charge 87p.
