In 2026, European cities and resorts will increase tourist taxes or introduce new fees for travelers. The additional fees may apply to accommodation, cruise ports, or even visits to natural locations. Find out more about the new tourist taxes in Europe in 2026 and in which countries tourists will have to pay more

In 2026, traveling in Europe may become more expensive for tourists. Popular cities and resorts are gradually introducing new tourist fees or raising existing taxes in an effort to cope with the growing flow of travelers. Such payments may seem insignificant (a few euros per night or a small fee for visiting the city), but in the end they can significantly increase the total travel budget.

Many of the new fees have emerged due to the problem of overtourism, when popular destinations face excessive pressure on infrastructure, housing, and natural resources. The authorities plan to use the funds to develop the transportation system, maintain historical monuments, and protect natural areas.

In 2026, several European destinations, including Spain, Italy, Scotland, Greece, Belgium, Romania, and Norway, introduced or increased new or updated tourist taxes. Travelers should learn about these rules in advance to avoid unexpected expenses during their trip.

In the previous article, we talked about the TOP-10 tourist destinations according to Time Out, which are definitely worth visiting in 2026.

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Barcelona raises one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe

Barcelona (Spain) has long been one of the most visited cities in Europe, so local authorities are gradually tightening the rules for tourists. In 2026, the city significantly increased the tourist tax, which has now become one of the highest among popular European destinations.

Since April 2026, tourists staying in apartments or housing rented through short-term rental services have had to pay 12.5 euros per night. For hotel guests, the rate depends on the category of the establishment and ranges from 10 to 15 euros per night.

A separate fee is also provided for cruise ship passengers visiting the city during cruises. For them, the tourist tax is approximately 6 euros.

The tax increase is part of the city's broader policy of regulating tourism. The Barcelona authorities plan to use part of the proceeds to solve problems in the housing market and develop urban infrastructure, as the popularity of short-term rentals has significantly affected the availability of housing for local residents.

In the previous article, we told you that Madrid was recognized as the best destination in Europe in 2026, and also told you what to do in this city.

Tenerife introduces an eco-tax for tourist routes

New rules for tourists in 2026 also appeared in the Canary Islands (Spain). Tenerife has introduced an environmental tax for travelers planning to visit popular hiking trails in the Teide National Park, one of the most visited natural sites of the archipelago.

The eco-tax is introduced to reduce the burden on natural areas and help finance the preservation of the park's ecosystem. The maximum amount of the fee can reach 25 euros per person, but the cost depends on the specific route.

For example, climbing to the top of the volcano on the Telesforo Bravo route without a guide costs approximately 15 euros, while participating in a group tour with a guide can cost about 10 euros. Other popular routes, such as the Montaña Blanca - Rambleta trail, cost about 6 euros on weekdays and up to 10 euros on weekends or holidays.

At the same time, some categories of visitors are exempt from paying the fee. In particular, residents of Tenerife and children under 14 can visit the park for free, while residents of the Canary Islands receive preferential access. Such rules should help preserve the natural landscapes of the park, which attracts a huge number of tourists every year.

Earlier, we told you that Mallorca opened a new hiking route of more than 100 km along the Lloret coast.

Venice returns tax for tourists one day

Venice, Italy, continues to experiment with a tax for so-called “day-trippers” - travelers who come to the city for only a few hours and do not stay overnight. In 2026, the city authorities decided to extend the tax to control the flow of visitors during the periods of the highest tourist traffic.

In the new season, the tax will be in effect for 60 days, which is more than in the previous year. The tax must be paid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during April, May, June and July, which are the months when Venice receives the most visitors.

The fee is charged in a certain time period - from 08:30 to 16:00. If a tourist plans to visit the city outside these hours, no fee is charged.

The basic rate is 5 euros, but it can increase to 10 euros if the tourist does not book their visit at least four days in advance on a special online platform. This advance booking system helps the authorities control the number of visitors to the city.

At the same time, certain categories of people are exempt from paying the fee, including:

1. City residents;

2. Students and employees who regularly come to Venice;

3. Tourists who book a hotel or other accommodation in the city.

In this way, the authorities are trying to reduce the burden on the historic center of Venice, which is visited by millions of travelers every year, but at the same time not to restrict those tourists who stay in the city for a longer time.

Earlier we talked about the 13 best places for a spring trip in Europe in 2026.

Milan raises tourist tax ahead of the Winter Olympics

In 2026, Milan (Italy) also increased its tourist tax. The changes were introduced on the eve of the 2026 Winter Olympics, part of which took place in the Lombardy region. The purpose of the fee increase was to finance infrastructure and prepare the city for a large influx of guests.

The new rates apply to all accommodation options within 30 kilometers of the Olympic venues. The amount of tax depends on the type of accommodation and the level of comfort.

In particular, tourists pay:

- Up to 10 euros per night in four- and five-star hotels;

- From 3 to 9.5 euros per night in lower-category hotels, B&Bs, and rented apartments.

The tax is charged only for the first 14 nights of stay, after which no additional payments are due.

The city authorities noted that the tax increase is a temporary measure aimed at maintaining the infrastructure during a large-scale sporting event and covering the costs associated with receiving a large number of tourists.

You can learn more about the medal standings, the main finals of the last day and the results of the 2026 Olympic Games here.

Edinburgh introduces a tourist tax starting from 2026

The capital of Scotland has also joined European cities that introduce tourist fees. The City of Edinburgh Council approved the introduction of the so-called Transient Visitor Levy, a tax for temporary visitors to the city.

The new levy will come into effect on July 24, 2026, and will apply to tourists staying in hotels, hostels, guest houses, B&Bs, or rented apartments, including through short-term rental services.

Unlike many other European cities that have a flat rate, Edinburgh's tourist tax will be 5% of the room rate per night. This means that the amount of the fee will depend on the price of accommodation.

At the same time, the city authorities have set a limit: the tax will be charged only during the first seven nights of stay. After that, no additional fee will be charged.

The proceeds will be used to develop the city's infrastructure, improve tourist facilities, and maintain historical monuments, as Edinburgh receives millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

You can learn more about the TOP 10 little-known destinations for crowd-free travel in 2026 here.

Greece: tourist tax for cruise ship passengers

Greece continues to have a tourist tax for cruise ship passengers, which was introduced earlier to regulate the flow of tourists to popular islands. In 2026, this tax will remain in place, and its amount depends on the season and port of arrival.

The highest rates apply during the peak tourist season. From June 1 to September 30, 2026, tourists disembarking from cruise ships on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini must pay 20 euros. For other ports in the country, the fee is 5 euros.

In the off-season, the amounts are reduced. In particular, in April, May and October, disembarkation in Mykonos and Santorini costs 12 euros, and in other Greek ports - 3 euros.

The lowest rates apply in the winter months. From November to March, the tourist tax is 4 euros for popular islands and only 1 euro for other destinations.

Such measures should help reduce congestion on the most popular Greek islands during the high season and at the same time stimulate tourism during less busy periods of the year.

To learn more about the best cities in Greece to move to in 2026, please follow the link.

A fixed tax on accommodation has been introduced in Bucharest

In 2026, the capital of Romania, Bucharest, also introduced a new tourist tax. Local authorities have established a single tax for all tourists staying in hotels, apartments or other accommodation options in the city.

Unlike many European destinations, where the amount of tax depends on the hotel category or the cost of accommodation, Bucharest has a fixed rate. Tourists have to pay 10 Romanian lei per night, which is about 2 euros.

The tax is collected directly at the time of booking or stay. It can be included in the cost of the service by hotels, online booking platforms, or travel agencies.

The city authorities have also provided for liability for violation of the new rules. In case of non-payment of the tourist tax, fines may be imposed, which can reach several hundred euros for individuals and even more for companies.

The introduction of such a fee has become part of a pan-European trend: many cities are introducing tourist taxes to raise additional funds for infrastructure development and maintenance of popular tourist locations.

In our previous article, we provided a selection of the 10 best cities for hiking in 2026.

Brussels raised the tourist tax in 2026

In 2026, the tourist tax increased in the capital of Belgium. The local authorities increased the existing accommodation tax paid by tourists when staying in hotels, guest houses or campsites.

Since the beginning of the year, the amount of the tax has increased by about 1 euro per night. As a result, tourists staying in hotels now pay about 5 euros per night, while for guest houses, campsites and other accommodation options the rate is approximately 4 euros.

This tax applies to each accommodation unit, i.e., a room or other space intended for tourist accommodation.

The city authorities explain the increase in the fee by the need to cover the costs associated with the development of tourist infrastructure, maintenance of public spaces, and support of popular city locations visited by millions of travelers every year.

Earlier, we told you that France set a new tourist record by receiving 102 million visitors in 2025.

Norway: municipalities have the right to introduce a tourist tax

The Norwegian government has passed a law that allows local municipalities to introduce a tourist tax in the regions most affected by the influx of visitors.

The maximum rate of such a tax can be up to 3% of the cost of accommodation. The tax will be added to the price of an overnight stay in hotels, apartments or other accommodation options.

However, the new rules are not mandatory for the whole country. Each municipality is free to decide whether to introduce such a tax, depending on the tourist load in the region.

It is important to note that overnight stays in tents or campsites are not subject to this tax. This exemption preserves the accessibility of active tourism and outdoor travel, which is popular in Norway.

The introduction of the tourist tax should help finance the maintenance of natural areas, infrastructure, and popular tourist destinations that attract more and more travelers every year.

What tourists should consider before traveling to Europe in 2026

The new tourist taxes do not mean that traveling in Europe will become much more expensive, but they can significantly affect the travel budget. In many cases, it's just a few euros per night or a small fee for visiting popular locations, but these costs can add up during a long trip.

Before planning a trip, you should pay attention to several important points:

1. Check tourist taxes in the destination city. They can vary significantly from country to country: from a fixed amount per night to a percentage of the cost of living.

2. Check whether the tax is included in the booking price. Some hotels and online platforms add it directly to the price, while others charge it at check-in.

3. Pay attention to seasonal fees. In some countries, particularly in popular tourist regions, taxes can vary depending on the season.

4. Find out about exceptions and benefits. For example, in some cities, children, locals, or tourists staying overnight are exempt from fees.

Despite the new taxes, Europe remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Therefore, travelers should only familiarize themselves with the local rules in advance and take into account additional costs when planning their trip.

Are you planning a trip and want to prepare without unnecessary stress? Visit World's travel guide contains key tips for travelers: rules of entry and stay, current requirements for tourists, basic safety, transportation and accommodation. Such a guide will help you quickly navigate a new country, avoid common mistakes during your trip, and plan your route taking into account practical nuances that often go unnoticed by tourists.

We remind you! Popular tourist destinations can be a trap. We have already told you which 8 places in the world Fodor’s advises to avoid in 2026 due to overtourism, environmental risks and social tension – and what alternatives to choose instead.

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