One in every of Europe’s most visited cities is ready to double its tourism tax, which may see Brits pay as much as £13 additional per evening
The European metropolis has doubled its tourism tax (Picture: Getty Photos)
A vastly well-liked metropolis that welcomes hundreds of thousands of Brits yearly has doubled its tourism tax, making it the best in Europe.
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in northeastern Spain, is a haven for Brits looking for a weekend or summer time getaway, with its mix of vibrant metropolis life, Mediterranean seashores, and iconic structure. However from April 2026, guests might be hit with a rise within the tourism tax, with a charge of as much as £10.91 (€12.50) per evening for vacation leases, up from £5.45 (€6.25), because it doubles.
The value hike may see a pair pay an additional £91 for a seven-night keep, or round £40 for a two-night keep. The charges can fluctuate by resort and class, with these staying in a five-star resort in Barcelona anticipated to pay extra.
This important enhance comes as town makes an attempt to handle overtourism and fight its housing points for residents. With town drawing in round 16 million vacationers final 12 months alone, a 2.9 per cent enhance from 2024, overcrowding has been a steady subject, and residents say they’re being pushed out of their communities as extra vacation leases seem to accommodate the inflow of holidaymakers.
A few of the income from tourism taxes will assist Barcelona convert vacationer flats into residential properties and assist public transport, security, and local weather initiatives which have been impacted by tourism. The rise additionally comes after Barcelona introduced plans to finish all quick‑time period vacation leases by 2028.
Following the information, some travellers agree with the rise, whereas others aren’t positive. One commented in a publish: “They need to hold growing the quantity to restrict the vacationers, they’ll then spend money on all of the ills of society that the vacationers complain about, after which the vacationers might be blissful to pay extra. Barcelona is likely one of the nice cities of the world, individuals pays, and society wants funding.”
The change is to assist handle overtourism and housing points (Picture: Getty Photos)
Whereas one other steered: “They want higher guidelines in opposition to hire pricing, higher hire worth management, and to cease short-term leases. I believe the latter is the one one with traction for now.”
Yet one more additionally voiced: “Whereas I might agree that regulation appears essential, the difficulty would not appear to be so simple as younger foreigners paying posted lodging costs (that are, as you famous.. very excessive).
A Spanish resident additionally voiced: “I believe there needs to be an exemption for residents/Catalan individuals. I’m from Barcelona, and my household nonetheless lives there. I’ve stayed at motels when visiting for comfort, and it pains me to pay the vacationer tax – I am not a vacationer! Then I’m going to Madrid and no tourism taxes in any respect.”
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