Tourist tax news - What you need to know

Whether you love jetting off to sunny, far-flung destinations or exploring bustling cities, most travellers will come across a tourist tax.

If you don't know about this tax ahead of time, it can easily add-up to a costly expense. In fact, almost 1 in 10 UK adults have gone so far as changing their destination to avoid them alltogether!* But, don't worry—knowing about what you'll need to pay ahead of time can help you budget accordingly.

So, what exactly is a tourist tax? Do you really have to pay for it? And, why has it become more common? We've got all the answers for you right here in this guide. And, if you're heading to any Christmas markets this season, we've got the lowdown on tourist taxes that may apply during your visit. Keep reading to learn more!

^{*Research carried out by One Poll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK adults who travel for leisure. Conducted between 15 October and 21 October 2024.}

What is a tourist tax?

A tourist tax is a small daily fee added to your accommodation bill, typically charged on a per person, per night basis. So, if you're just passing through or visiting for the day, you might not need to pay it.

These fees are becoming more common, especially in popular destinations dealing with high visitor numbers. And, given that 26% of adults discover tourist tax after arriving at their destination*—it's helpful to know about them beforehand to include them in your trip's budget.

Just a quick note—you won't be able to claim back tourist tax through your travel insurance policy. So, it's a good idea to include them in your trip expenses from the start to avoid any costly surprises later.

Do I have to pay a tourist tax?

Yes, if you're visiting a destination that has a tourist tax in place, you'll have to pay it.

You'll usually pay it when you check in or out of your hotel. But, if you're using Airbnb, it's often included in the total price upfront. So, no extra steps required!

Keep in mind—these taxes are usually legally enforceable. This means that, if you refuse to pay, your accommodation might not let you stay. 

Which countries charge a tourist tax?

Plenty of places charge a tourist tax. So, it's worth checking in the run-up to your trip to steer clear from hidden costs.

That said, let's take a look at some of the most popular destinations for British tourists:

Italy

The cost of tourist tax in Italy depends on which part you're visiting, so it's worth checking ahead of time. For example, in Venice it's usually between €1-€5 a night. And, earlier this spring, a €5 'day trippers' tax was introduced for travellers entering the city for a day.

In Rome, the tax is usually between 3-10 euros a night up to 10 nights, depending on the star-rating of the hotel or accommodation. And, since September of this year, Italian authorities have been considering raising the charge to 25 euros in certain areas.

Indonesia

Bali has recently been given a tourist tax. Indonesia introduced a tax of 150,000 rupiah for travellers entering Bali in February 2024. That works out to about £7.60. Just to reiterate, at the moment, this tourist tax is specifically for Bali—so other regions of Indonesia aren't currently impacted.

Spain

Most of Spain is visa-free at the moment. But, there's a few places you'll need to pay:

• Balearic Islands: Usually €1-€4 per person, per night payable up to 8 days depending on accommodation and location. This includes Majorca, Menorca, Formentera and Ibiza.
• Catalonia: Usually €0.60-€3.50 per person, per night payable up to 7 days depending on your accommodation and location. Barcelona, which is the capital of the Catalonia region, also charges its own tax on top of the general tourist tax.

New Zealand

New Zealand has a tourist tax called the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Most international visitors need to pay a fee of $100. You usually pay this when you apply for the mandatory New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This includes those visiting just for a holiday.

Greece

Greece has introduced a new Climate Crisis Resilience Fee this year. This tax was introduced as a result of the various natural disasters that have impacted Greece's tourism over recent years.

So, if you're planning a trip to Greece, you'll usually need to pay anything between €1.50-€10 per person, per night. Similar to other places that have introduced this tax, what you'll pay depends on your accommodation and what part you're staying in.

Portugal

Currently, Portugal charges a tourist tax in certain places. Here's what you can usually expect to pay in the most popular areas:

• Porto: €2 per person, per night payable up to 7 nights.
• Lisbon: €4 per person, per night payable up to 7 nights.
• Algarve region: €2 per person, per night during the high season (April to October) and €1 per person, per night during the low season (November to March). During both the low and high season, the tax is payable up to 7 nights.

France

The tourist tax in France is based around the star-rating of accommodation. It can range from around €1 per person, per night for campsite stays, to over €10 per person, per night for luxury hotels.

The Netherlands

Tourist tax varies depending on the municipality. But, Amsterdam's tourist tax is one of the most expensive in Europe! In fact, earlier this year, the tax rate was increased from 7% to 12.5% of overall accommodation costs.

Top tip: It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the price of tourism tax for the destination you're visiting. That way, you'll have more time to budget for it accordingly!

Christmas market destinations with a tourist tax

Got plans to visit a Christmas market this winter? You might need to pay a tourist tax once you get there!

28% of Brits don't check the cost of tourist tax until after booking their trip*. If you fall into that group, we've got you covered.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular festive destinations that have a tourist tax:

Gdansk, Poland

Few places feel as perfectly festive as Gdansk, with its cobblestone streets and cosy market stalls. As you wander through, you'll discover plenty of local treasures—including handmade ornaments and plenty of delicious pierogi to keep you fueled! It's the place to be if you're in need of a little Christmas cheer this winter.

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: 2.80-3.22 Polish złoty per person, per night. That's around £0.55.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

The christmas market in Ljubljana has a distinctly rustic, eco-conscious charm. The market places a focus on sustainability—think green groves and natural materials. You'll love strolling around stalls filled with locally crafted goods, from ceramics to wooden toys, all while sipping a cup of Slovenia's famed mulled wine.

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: €3.13 per person, per night. That's around £2.60.

Berlin, Germany

There's twinkling lights, the smell of Bratwurst sausages in the air and Germany's version of mulled wine—Gluhwein! Whether you're heading to the main market in the square or some of the smaller ones, the city offers a festive experience you won't forget.

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: 5% of the cost of a stay, payable up to 21 nights.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a must-visit at Christmas time. Picture caramel-coloured wooden chalets, the scent of roasted chestnuts and the glitter of Christmas lights reflecting off the Danube. The market, set against the stunning backdrop of historic buildings, offers everything from traditional Hungarian crafts to sweet treats like chimney cakes. Bundle up, because it can get frosty!

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: 4% of accommodation costs per night per person, payable up to 6 days.

Prague, Czechia

Prague knows how to do Christmas markets in style. The heart of the festivities lies in Old Town Square, but don't miss out on the charming smaller markets dotted around the city. As you explore, you'll find all the holiday classics—candied nuts, mulled wine and cinnamon pastries galore. And, if you're lucky, you might even see some of the city's Gothic architecture dusted in snow, too.

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: CZK 50 per person, per night, payable up to 60 days. That works out to around £1.60.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a storybook city all year-round. But, it transforms into a winter wonderland each Christmas season. The gingerbread-style houses lining the cobbled streets are decked out in sparkling lights, and the city's main market buzzes with festive celebration. Wooden stalls overflow with Belgian chocolates and handmade gifts, while local brewers nearby serve Belgium's famous beers. Just perfect for keeping warm in the chilly wintery air!

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: €3.75 per person, per night. Children under 18 are exempt.

Oslo, Norway

Oslo's Christmas market is the perfect blend of festive magic and Scandinavian minimalism. Located at Spikersuppa, the market is known for its large ice rink and warming Glögg, which is Norway's version of mulled wine. Whether you're heading here just for the market or to explore the city, one thing's for sure—you'll feel like you've stepped into a winter fairytale.

Tourist tax you can expect to pay: At the moment, Norway doesn't currently impose a tourist tax. But, there's plan's to introduce one in the future. 

Is there a tourist tax in the UK?

Yes! Just like other places of the world, the UK has begun to charge a fee to visitors in certain cities.

At the moment, it's not in every city in the UK. But, it is on the rise. Let's take a look at some of the current cities that you can expect to see a visitor charge:

• Manchester: Manchester has a tourist levy that was introduced in 2023. It's more commonly referred to as the City Visitor Charge, and it falls within the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID). Currently, there's a fee of £1 per night for visitors that are staying in certain hotels and apartments within this area.
• Liverpool: Similar to Manchester, Liverpool also has a tourism levy for visitors within its ABID zone. At the moment, visitors are charged 1.6% of their overall accommodation costs.
• Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch: Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch in Dorset introduced a tourist tax on July 1, 2024. Visitors are charged a tax of £2 per room, per night.

Head's up—Scotland and Wales don't currently have a tourist tax. But, there's plans to introduce them over the next few years.

Why are tourist taxes increasing in a lot of places?

The rise of tourism taxes can sometimes feel like an annoyance, especially since they can catch travellers off guard. So much so, 29% of UK adults have started their holidays off in a bad mood because of them.* But, the great news is that they're being put to some good use.

Tourist tax is being used to:

• Help combat climate change and be more sustainable. As we've mentioned, Amsterdam has one of the most expensive tourism taxes in Europe. This has mainly been done to help combat over tourism and the environmental impact it can have.
• Invest back into the economy and infrastructure. Most of the money collected from tourist tax goes towards funding local resources, like public facilities and transportation.
• Support the conservation of natural habitats. For example, New Zealand's IVL is used to fund things like habitat preservation.

How to budget for tourist tax

Over 1 in 10 Brits have paid more than £50* in tourist tax on a trip before. And, 26% have had to skip certain experiences or activities^* as a result! But, budgeting for tourist tax is all about being informed before you go.

So, here's some helpful tips to help you avoid those unexpected expenses:

• Check the minimum age. Some destinations apply a tourist tax to visitors as young as 12. So, if you're travelling with kids, you might need to pay for them, too.
• Calculate the overall costs. Once you're aware of the nightly fee, multiply it by the number of nights you'll be staying. This will give you a clear picture of the total cost.
• Include it in your accommodation budget. Add the calculated tourist tax to your accommodation budget. This way, you won't be caught off guard when it's time to pay the bill. Phew!

All fees are correct at the time of writing, October 2024.