Tourist Taxes in Europe in 2026: How Much Do You Pay Extra for a Vacation?

In Europe, the tourist tax is paid in addition to the cost of accommodation if it is not already included in the bill. It is calculated per person, per room, or as a percentage of the accommodation price. These additional charges can amount to hundreds of euros per vacation. To determine the total cost of your trip, check the local rate, any exemptions, and the number of nights subject to the tax before booking.

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Tourist Taxes in European Countries: Rates and Rules

To calculate these additional charges, you need to refer to the specific rules of the city or region. The rates listed below apply to the specified destinations and accommodation categories. Pay special attention to VAT, seasonal discounts, and per-guest fees: they can significantly affect the final bill.

Spain: Taxes in Barcelona and Seasonal Rates on the Islands

In Barcelona, tourists pay a regional tax and a city surcharge. Starting April 1, 2026, the total amount per person per night is:

- €12 at a five-star hotel

- €8.40 at a four-star hotel

- €9.50 in tourist apartments

- €6 in a youth hostel

However, staying in an apartment does not necessarily mean a lower tourist tax. For two adults over seven nights, it will amount to €133 compared to €117.60 at a four-star hotel, excluding VAT. Therefore, you should compare the final amounts on the bill.

Outside of Barcelona, regional rates are lower. For example, in the rest of Catalonia, the base rate for a four-star hotel is €1.80 per person per night until March 31, 2027. Any local surcharges must be checked separately.

In Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, the dates and duration of your stay are important. From November 1 through April 30, the tourist tax is reduced by 75%. And starting on the ninth night of your stay at the same accommodation, a 50% discount applies to the subsequent nights. Changing hotels can reset the count. For a long vacation, it’s worth comparing the surcharge for a continuous stay versus an itinerary involving multiple hotels.

Italy: How Surcharges Vary in Popular Cities

In Italy, the tourist tax is set by municipalities. The same number of stars does not mean the same surcharge.

In Rome, the rate per person per night is €7.50 at a four-star hotel and €10 at a five-star hotel. For a couple, a week at a five-star hotel means an additional €140 in tourist tax alone. The cost of the room itself does not affect this calculation: a discount on the room rate does not reduce the fixed tax. Rates for Rome

In Florence, the per-person-per-night charge is €6 at a three-star hotel, €7 at a four-star hotel, and €8 at a five-star hotel. Thus, the weekly surcharge for two adults is €84, €98, or €112, respectively.

An important local rule: in Florence, the tax is charged for a maximum of seven consecutive nights. Therefore, for a continuous ten-day stay, you do not automatically need to multiply the rate by ten. If the itinerary continues to another city, that city will have its own rates and a separate limit.

In Venice, the tourist tax is charged for a maximum of five nights. Thus, during a one-week stay in the same accommodation, the sixth and seventh nights do not increase the tax amount. The specific rate depends on the category and location of the accommodation.

It’s important not to pay more than necessary: guests staying in accommodations within the municipality of Venice are exempt from a separate tax for one-day visits. On days when this tax applies, you must obtain a confirmation of exemption following the hotel’s instructions. Booking accommodations outside the municipality does not automatically grant this exemption.

In a previous article, we reported that Venice plans to raise the tourist entry fee to €50.

France: How Accommodation Category Affects the Tourist Tax

In France, the amount of the taxe de séjour depends on the municipality and the official category of the accommodation. In Paris in 2026, the total rate—including all local surcharges—per adult per night is:

- €3.25 at a two-star hotel

- €5.53 at a three-star hotel

- €8.45 at a four-star hotel

- €11.70 at a five-star hotel

- €15.93 at a “palace” category hotel

For two adults staying seven nights, this amounts to €118.30 at a four-star hotel or €163.80 at a five-star hotel. These amounts are added to the cost of the stay if they are not already included in the booking price.

A particular pitfall for budget travelers is apartments without an official classification. In Paris, a 5% tax per person per night (excluding taxes) applies to such accommodations, to which local surcharges are added. The total amount can reach €15.93 per adult per night. Therefore, an apartment may incur a higher tourist tax than a four-star hotel. Stars in reviews on booking platforms do not replace the official accommodation category.

An important perk for families: guests under 18 are exempt from this tax. Another quirk of Paris: the rate in effect on the date of stay applies, not the date of booking. Booking a room early does not, in and of itself, lock in the old tax rate.

Portugal: Local Rates and Limits on Taxable Nights

In Portugal, the tourist tax varies by municipality. In Lisbon, it is €4 per person per night, with a maximum of seven nights per stay. For two adults, this amounts to €56 per week. For a continuous stay in the same accommodation for ten nights, the amount remains the same.

In Porto, the rate is €3 per person per night: two adults will pay €42 per week. Children under 13 are exempt from the tax.

Special exemptions are also provided, particularly for stays for medical treatment and for up to two accompanying persons. Supporting documents are required to qualify for these exemptions.

At resorts in the Algarve, you must also check the billing season. For example, in Albufeira, the tax is €2 per person per night and applies from April through October inclusive. It is charged for a maximum of seven consecutive nights, so the weekly surcharge for two adults is €28. From November through March, this fee is not collected. This rule applies specifically to Albufeira, not the entire Algarve coast.

The Netherlands: How a Percentage-Based Tax Increases Your Bill

In Amsterdam, the tourist tax is 12.5% of the accommodation cost excluding VAT. It applies to hotels, hostels, apartments, short-term rentals, and campgrounds. Switching from a hotel to an apartment does not, in itself, exempt you from the surcharge.

If a room costs €200 per night excluding VAT and the tourist tax, the tax base for seven nights will be €1,400, and the tourist tax will be €175. At a price of €300 per night, it will increase to €262.50. This is the amount per room: there is no need to multiply it by two for two guests.

Here, a lower room rate also reduces the tax itself. For example, lowering the base room rate by €50 per night will save an additional €43.75 in tourist tax over the course of a week. At the same time, you shouldn’t automatically add 12.5% to the price shown on the booking screen: it may already include VAT or all mandatory fees.

Learn more about the new tourist taxes in Europe by following the link.

Greece: Seasonal surcharge per room

Greece has a climate resilience tax. It is charged per room or accommodation unit per night, so the amount does not double for two guests in the same room. The rate depends on the accommodation category and the month of stay.

From April through October, the following rates apply:

- 1–2-star hotels: €2 per night

- 3-star hotels: €5

- 4-star hotels: €10

- 5-star hotels: €15

- Short-term rental accommodations: €8. For single-family homes larger than 80 m² in this category, the rate is €15

From November through March, hotel rates are reduced to €0.50, €1.50, €3, and €4, respectively. For short-term rentals, the standard rate is €2, and for the aforementioned large homes, it is €4. Official rates from the Greek Tax Authority

A week in a single room at a five-star hotel amounts to a €105 tax in October or €28 in November. The difference is €77. A trip in September or October does not yet qualify for the lower rate: for this tax, the off-season begins on November 1.

If your stay falls between seasons, the corresponding rates apply to each part of your stay. In this case, it’s worth requesting separate invoices for October and November.

Austria: Local Rules for Cities and Resorts

In Vienna, starting July 1, 2026, the tourist tax is 5% of the cost of accommodation, excluding VAT and breakfast. The previous rate of 3.2%, which may still be listed in some travel guides, is no longer in effect. If the weekly calculation basis is €1,000, the tax will amount to €50. Starting July 1, 2027, the rate will increase to 8%.

In the federal state of Salzburg, a transportation fee of €0.50 per person aged 15 and older per night is added to the local lodging tax. For two adults per week, this amounts to €7. The fee funds the Guest Mobility Ticket, which entitles guests to use the region’s public transportation throughout their stay.

The ticket covers city transit, regional buses, and trains within the coverage area. It is issued by the accommodation provider upon check-in or during pre-registration. Request the ticket before arrival so you can use it for your very first trip and avoid having to buy a separate pass for the same routes. The transportation fee does not replace the local tourist tax: both amounts should be factored into your budget.

Learn more about the top 10 cities in the world for walking by following the link.

Germany: City Accommodation Taxes

Germany does not have a single, nationwide tourist tax. Cities set their own rates, and even the tax base varies: in some cases, VAT is excluded, while in others it is included.

1. Berlin: 7.5% of the accommodation cost excluding VAT. Breakfast and other additional services are not included in the calculation base. If the accommodation cost excluding VAT is €1,000, the tax will be €75. The tax also applies to business trips: business travel does not exempt you from paying it.

2. Cologne: 5% of the accommodation cost including VAT, but excluding the tourist tax itself. For accommodation costing €1,000 including VAT, the surcharge will be €50.

For trips to a trade show or conference, it’s best to calculate the tax based on the actual room rate for the selected dates. If a hotel raises its rates due to a major event, the percentage-based tax also increases. And when comparing offers with and without breakfast, check whether the hotel has separated the cost of meals from the room rate.

Croatia: Seasonal Rates and Discounts for Children

In Croatia, the tourist tax depends on the location and the period of stay. For a family budget, the age of the children is important: it’s incorrect to charge all guests at the adult rate.

The following exemptions apply when calculating the per-person tax:

- Children under 12 are exempt from the tax.

- Teenagers aged 12 to 18 pay 50% of the rate.

- People with a disability officially recognized as 70% or higher, and one accompanying person, are exempt from payment upon presentation of supporting documents.

- Travelers under 29 years of age who are members of international youth organizations can receive a 50% discount at participating Hostelling International locations.

For example, for two adults with children aged 8 and 15, the total will be 2.5 times the adult rate per night, rather than four times. Therefore, when booking, you must specify the exact ages of the children and verify that the system has applied the discounts.

Separate rules apply to overnight stays on yachts and boats. For owners or users of private vessels, the official portal offers payment based on the vessel’s length and the selected period, or based on the number of people and nights stayed. Before paying, it’s worth comparing both calculations: for a small group and a short trip, the result can vary significantly.

United Kingdom: Fees in Edinburgh and Manchester

In Edinburgh and Manchester, surcharges are calculated differently: in the former, it’s a percentage of the accommodation cost; in the latter, it’s a fixed amount per room.

1. Edinburgh: Starting July 24, 2026, a 5% surcharge will be levied on the cost of accommodation (excluding VAT) for the first five consecutive nights. For a room costing £200 per night, the surcharge will be £50 plus any applicable VAT, even if staying for a week. Reservations made and at least partially paid for by October 1, 2025, are exempt from the tax.

2. Manchester: At participating Manchester Accommodation BID establishments, the surcharge is £1 per room per night plus VAT, where applicable. A week’s stay will cost an additional £7 plus VAT. The number of guests in a room does not affect the amount.

In our previous article, we wrote about 10 hidden gems around the world worth visiting in 2027.

Where do tourists pay to visit without staying overnight?

Separate fees also apply to travelers who do not book a hotel: in Venice—for day-trippers on specific dates; in Greece—for cruise passengers going ashore. The amount depends on the season, destination, and sometimes on how far in advance payment is made.

Venice: Fee for Day Trippers

As of September, the fee period for 2026 has already ended. The fee was in effect on specific days from April 3 to July 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The following rates applied during this period:

- €5 per person if paid at least four days before the visit

- €10 if paid three days or later, including the day of arrival

- Children under 14 were exempt from the fee

Outside of the paid dates, there is no need to purchase a ticket or obtain a waiver confirmation. The 2026 calendar cannot be used to plan a trip in 2027: the city approves new dates and conditions separately. Official Rules of Venice

Greek Islands: Fees for Cruise Passengers

In Santorini and Mykonos, a fee is charged to each passenger per port if they disembark:

- June–September: €20 in Santorini or Mykonos, €5 in other Greek ports

- April–May and October: €12 and €3, respectively

- November–March: €4 and €1, respectively

If two travelers go ashore in September in both Santorini and Mykonos, the total surcharge will be €80. In October, for the same two stops, it will be €48.

There are no age-based discounts: children pay the full rate. According to MSC Cruises’ rules, the amount is added to the onboard bill after visiting a port. If a passenger remains on the ship, the fee is not charged.

We previously wrote about 10 European cities for a day trip.

How can you reduce surcharges and check the booking price?

You can reduce tourist fees by taking advantage of discounts, choosing the right season, or selecting accommodations with lower rates. However, you need to compare the total cost of the trip: savings on the tax may be offset by a more expensive room or daily transportation from the suburbs.

Before paying, check:

1. The total amount for all guests. Add any mandatory fees that the property will charge on-site to the booking price. Do not double-count fees that are already included.

2. The children’s ages for the travel dates. Enter them in the booking so the system can correctly apply exemptions or discounts.

3. The date the seasonal rate changes. A lower room rate in the fall doesn’t necessarily mean a lower tourist tax.

4. The limit on paid nights. Check whether this limit carries over if you change accommodations: moving to a new place may reset the count.

5. The official accommodation category. Apartments don’t always have a lower rate than hotels. The review rating on the platform does not determine the tax category.

6. Services already covered by the surcharge. If guests are provided with a transportation ticket, check its coverage area before purchasing a separate pass.

Keep a record of the price breakdown and proof of paid fees. If a different amount is quoted at check-in, ask to see the rate, number of guests, and number of nights included in the calculation. This will help you distinguish a legitimate rate change from an error or a duplicate charge.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or luggage problems can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

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