US, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, Australia and more Lead Global Wave of Rising Tourist Taxes in 2025

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

In 2025, countries including the US, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia are spearheading a global trend of rising tourist taxes as governments respond to over tourism, infrastructure strain, and environmental pressures. These nations have introduced or expanded a wide range of fees—from nightly accommodation surcharges and entry levies to climate-related taxes—in an effort to fund local services, preserve cultural landmarks, and manage the growing burden of mass tourism.

As global travel rebounds in 2025, countries around the world are introducing, expanding, or restructuring tourist taxes in an effort to manage the effects of overtourism, boost public revenue, and preserve local infrastructure and heritage. From long-standing levies to newly proposed charges, the complexity and variety of these tourism-related fees have reached unprecedented levels.

Countries including the US, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia and more are at the forefront of this sweeping movement. These taxes, often unfamiliar or inconsistent in format, range from fixed nightly accommodation surcharges to national entry fees and environment-specific levies. While these changes aim to support sustainability and infrastructure, they also contribute to rising travel costs for international visitors.

Why Countries Are Increasing Tourist Taxes

Tourist taxes serve as a tool for destinations to generate revenue that directly supports public services impacted by tourism. The funds collected often go toward maintaining heritage sites, improving sanitation and transportation infrastructure, and preserving environmental and cultural resources.

With growing concerns over overtourism in destinations such as Barcelona, Venice, and Santorini, municipalities are under pressure to mitigate strain on local communities and resources. Cities that once aggressively promoted tourism are now reassessing strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and quality of life for residents. The shift in taxation models also reflects an effort to redirect tourist revenue more directly into local coffers, especially where tourism benefits private businesses more than public budgets.

US: Entry Fees through ESTA

Travellers from visa-waiver countries, including the UK, must apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) when entering the US. The ESTA currently costs $21 (approximately £17) and permits stays of up to 90 days. Though not a tourist tax in the traditional accommodation-based sense, ESTA fees are mandatory for most UK travellers and represent part of a growing pattern of entry-related travel costs.

Spain: Rising City and Regional Levies

Spain has introduced and increased various tourist taxes across major destinations. In Barcelona, the overnight fee rose to a maximum of €7.50 (£6.30) per night and is expected to increase further to €15 (£13). In the Balearic Islands, the tax ranges from €1 (85p) to €4 (£3.30) depending on the type of accommodation and season. These fees are generally collected upon arrival at hotels and are charged per person, per night.

France: Tiered System Based on Accommodation Type

France has implemented a national tourist tax structure based on the quality and classification of accommodations. For example, budget accommodations such as campsites charge less than €1 per night, while luxury hotels and designated palace-class establishments charge more than €15 (£12.72) per night. This structure allows for scalable taxation depending on the economic profile of visitors and their lodging choices.

Italy: Destination-Specific Taxes and Day Fees

Tourism taxes in Italy vary by city and type of lodging. In Rome, tourists are charged a nightly fee ranging from €4 (£3.39) to €10 (£8.50), applied for up to 10 consecutive nights depending on the type of accommodation. Venice gained global attention in 2024 by introducing a €5 (£4.21) daily access fee, which rises to €10 (£8.42) for last-minute bookings. Overnight visitors also pay between €1 (85p) and €5 (£4.21) per night based on accommodation class and season. Children under 10 and persons with disabilities are exempt, while those aged 10–16 pay a reduced rate.

Portugal: Municipal Tourist Levies Expand

Portugal charges a municipal tourist tax in several cities. In Lisbon, the rate is €4 per night (roughly £3.40), capped at 7 nights. In Porto, travellers are required to pay a nightly tourist tax of €3 (£2.50), capped at a total of €21 (£17.80) for stays of up to seven consecutive nights. These rates vary seasonally and between municipalities, allowing local governments to tailor policies based on capacity and visitor load.

New Zealand: Conservation and Tourism Levy

New Zealand dramatically increased its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from NZ$35 (£15) to NZ$100 (approximately £44) in 2024. This fee, applied at entry, funds conservation projects and tourism infrastructure development. It underscores New Zealand’s commitment to sustainable tourism, especially in areas heavily frequented by international tourists.

Japan: Departure-Based Tourism Tax

Japan imposes a tourist departure tax of 1,000 yen (around £5) per person. The charge is collected when travelers leave the country and contributes to the upkeep of tourism facilities and national infrastructure. This fixed levy reflects a low-cost but universal strategy for generating travel-related revenue.

Australia: Entry Tax via ETA

Australia requires travellers from many countries to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before arrival. The ETA costs AU$20 (£9.65) and must be applied for in advance. Although not labelled a tourist tax, the fee represents a compulsory cost that supports administrative and border control services.

Germany: Hotel Taxes Vary by City

In Germany, tourist taxes are imposed locally and vary significantly. In Berlin, visitors pay 7.5% of the accommodation price, while other cities apply flat fees or different percentages. The tax applies to hotel and guesthouse stays, and funds are used by municipalities to improve public amenities.

Greece: Shift from Tourist to Climate Tax

Greece replaced its traditional tourist tax with a “climate tax” in 2024. Charges now range up to €8 (£6.80) per night, based on hotel classification and season. Additionally, cruise ship tourists may pay as much as €20 (£17) per person. The revised structure aims to more transparently allocate funds for environmental and climate resilience projects.

The Netherlands: Among Europe’s Highest Tourist Tax Rates

Amsterdam applies a tourist tax equal to 12.5% of the accommodation cost, ranking it among the highest rates across Europe. Rates in other Dutch municipalities vary, but Amsterdam continues to lead in taxing overnight visitors. The revenue supports tourism management and local services strained by high visitor volumes.

Switzerland: Tiered and City-Based Charges

Swiss tourist tax rates are destination-specific. For example, Basel charges CHF 4.20 (approximately £3.80) per person per night, while national averages range from CHF 2 to CHF 7 (£1.80–£6.30). Children are typically exempt, and taxes are collected by hotels, B&Bs, and rental agencies.

Austria: Percentage-Based Accommodation Fees

In Vienna, guests incur a tourism levy amounting to approximately 3.2% of their lodging expenses. This fee structure is proportional, allowing more expensive accommodations to contribute higher amounts. Revenue is directed toward infrastructure maintenance and urban preservation.

Belgium: Flat Fees Across Cities

Belgium’s tourist tax depends on location and accommodation. In Brussels, the charge is €4.24 (£3.60) per night. Other cities apply varying rates, often collected at check-in or check-out by the accommodation provider.

Croatia: Seasonal and Regional Differences

Croatia’s tourist taxes vary by destination and season. Typical charges are around €1 (85p) per adult per day, but can reach €2.65 (£2.25) in premium destinations such as Dubrovnik during peak travel months. Rates are lower during the off-season.

Czech Republic: Fixed Per Night Fee

Prague imposes a flat-rate tourist fee of CZK 50 (around £1.71) per night for each overnight guest. The fee applies per person and is automatically added to accommodation costs, streamlining collection.

Hungary: Nightly Cap on Tourist Charges

In Budapest, tourists pay a fixed rate of Ft1000 (just over £1.70) per person per night, capped at six nights. Visitors under 18 are exempt, and the funds support municipal services and tourism infrastructure.

Malaysia: Nightly Flat-Rate Tax

In Malaysia, a standardized tourism fee of RM10 per night—equivalent to about £1.75—is applied to all short-term stays. This fee is applicable across all hotel types and is collected at the point of stay. The policy is consistent nationwide, simplifying enforcement.

Slovenia: Regional Flexibility

Slovenia typically charges a nightly tourist tax averaging €3, or roughly £2.50, depending on the destination. Cities and resort towns may charge higher rates, while rural areas apply reduced fees to encourage wider visitor distribution.

Bulgaria: Hotel-Dependent Rates

In Bulgaria, tourist taxes depend on the destination and hotel class, but typically amount to about £1.30 per night. This variation in rates is intended to align with regional economic factors and the intensity of tourist activity.

Caribbean Islands: Varied Tax Structures

Caribbean nations apply differing tourist taxes. In St Lucia, the nightly fee ranges from $3 to $6 (£2.25–4.50), while the Dominican Republic includes its higher tax as part of package holidays or airline ticket fees.

Bhutan: Reduced Sustainability Fee

Bhutan’s Daily Sustainable Development Fee is currently $100 (£75) per adult per day, lowered from previous rates until September 2027. This daily fee covers environmental conservation and cultural preservation efforts.

Proposed Tourist Taxes for 2025 and Beyond

Several new tourist tax policies are scheduled or under consideration for 2025:

• Thailand plans to introduce a THB 300 (£6.80) arrival fee for air travellers.
• Norway is planning to implement a 3% charge on overnight lodging as part of its proposed tourist taxation scheme.
• In the United Kingdom, London, Wales, and Liverpool are exploring new municipal tourist taxes to be implemented in future years.

Inconsistencies and Traveller Confusion

A major hurdle in the global expansion of tourist taxes is the lack of uniformity in how they are structured and enforced. Fees may be collected at entry points, on departure, per night, per person, or based on accommodation types. They may be fixed or percentage-based, seasonal or year-round, and often vary between cities in the same country. This lack of uniformity creates confusion for international travellers, who must now plan for these extra costs when budgeting for trips.

In 2025, the US, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia are leading a global surge in tourist taxes to manage overtourism, fund infrastructure, and protect cultural and environmental assets. Rising fees now target everything from accommodation to national entry and departure.

In 2025, tourist taxes have become a central tool in the global travel landscape. Countries including the US, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia are leading a global wave of rising tourism-related levies, driven by the dual goals of sustainable travel and economic necessity. As more nations adopt these measures, international travellers must stay informed about destination-specific fees that directly impact their itineraries and travel budgets.