by Vijaylakshmi
If you’re gearing up for a trip to Barcelona, get ready to dig a little deeper into your wallet due to an increased tourism tax.
The popular tourist destination has decided to increase its tourist tax fee to Euro 4 from the previous Euro 3.25 that rose in April 2024, as per Schengen Visa News.
The city council agreed to increase visitor levies by over 20 per cent starting October 2024 in a move expected to generate an additional Euro 20 million in revenues, Schengen.News reports.
According to local media, the regional tax varies depending on the type of accommodation where a tourist stays. For example, for four-star hotels, it is Euro 1.70; for rental accommodations such as Airbnb, it is Euro 2.25; and for five-star and luxury hotels, it is Euro 3.50.
Passengers arriving by cruise ship and staying less than 12 hours in the city are charged Euro 3, whereas those staying more than 12 hours pay Euro 2.
Starting October this year, visitors intending to visit Barcelona will be subject to a payment of Euro 4 on top of the regional tourist tax – an increase of Euro 0.75 per night, the report says. “This means that guests accommodated in five-star hotels will pay a total of Euro 7.50 per night – Euro 52.50 per person for a week’s stay, up from the current Euro 47.25.”
In 2024, several countries have increased visitor fees to tackle over-tourism. Portimao, Portugal, has similarly introduced a tourist tax starting March 2024. The tax will vary between high and low seasons, with rates set at Euro 2 per night from April to October and Euro 1 per night from November to March.
