Jetting off somewhere exciting? Don't forget to pack your sunglasses, passport...and a little extra for tourist tax.
Yep - more and more destinations are adding a fee for visitors. And if you don't spot it ahead of time, it could catch you off guard. In fact, almost 1 in 10 UK travellers say they've changed their destination just to dodge it*.
But don't stress - we'll walk you through what it is, where you might need to pay it, and how to factor it in before you go.
*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?
Think of it as a little extra included on your accommodation bill - a tourist tax is usually a small daily fee charged per person, per night.
These charges are popping up more and more, especially in busy tourist hotspots. And since 26%* of people only find out about it after they've arrived, it's worth knowing in advance so you can budget for it.
Oh - and a quick heads up: tourist tax isn't usually something you can claim back on your travel insurance. So it's best to factor it into your trip from the get-go.
Do I have to pay a tourist tax?
If you're heading to a place that's introduced a tourist tax, then yes - it's likely you're going to need to pay it.
Most of the time, it's added to your hotel bill when you check in or out. If you're staying in an Airbnb or similar, it might already be rolled into the total cost. So you should only need to worry about paying one upfront bill.
Just remember that these taxes are legally enforceable. So if you refuse to pay, your accommodation could refuse to 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:
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are generally tourist tax-free at the minute. But Mogán in Gran Canaria has recently introduced a tourist tax of €0.15 per person, per day.
Italy
The cost of tourist tax in Italy depends on which part you're visiting.
For example, in Venice it's usually between €1-€5 a night. But in Rome, the tax is usually between €4-€10 a night up to 10 nights, depending on the star-rating of the hotel or accommodation.
Also - the €5 'day trippers' tax Venice introduced last spring has been extended to this year. That means if you plan to spend a day in Venice, you'll need to pay €5 (£4.13). And, if you book a day trip with less than 4 days notice, the fee doubles to €10.
Indonesia
Bali on your list this year? Since February 2024, travellers heading to Bali have been asked to pay 150,000 rupiah (around £7.60) when they arrive.
At the moment this only applies to Bali, so if you're heading to other parts of Indonesia, you won't have to pay a tourist tax fee (for now).
Spain
Most of Spain doesn't have a tourist tax at the moment. But, there's a few places you'll need to pay:
- Balearic Islands: This is usually €1-€4 per person, per night payable up to 8 days depending on accommodation, time of year and location. This includes Majorca, Menorca, Formentera and Ibiza.
- Barcelona: You'll have to pay the regional tax (€1.70-€3.50, depending on accommodation) and the city tax - which is currently €4 per night for up to 7 nights.
- Catalonia: Anywhere outside of Barcelona you'll just have to pay the regional tax. This is usually €1-€3 per person, per night payable up to 7 days depending on your accommodation.
Thailand
Thailand is planning to introduce a new tourist tax by the end of the year.
Under the current proposal, travellers arriving by land would pay a one-off fee of 300 baht (around £6.90), while those arriving by sea would pay 150 baht (about £3.45).
It's not confirmed yet, but it's something to keep on your radar if you're planning to head to the land of smiles soon.
Greece
Greece has a flat-fee tourist tax.
Visitors are expected to pay a daily fee of €2 between November and February, rising to €8 per night during the high season (April to October).
Portugal
Tourist taxes in Portugal can vary depending on which municipality you're visiting - so check ahead if you're not sure.
To give you an idea, here's what you can currently expect to pay in the most popular areas:
- Madeira: €2 per person, per night payable up to 7 nights.
- Lisbon: €2 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
Tourist tax in France can vary depending on location and accommodation type.
In Paris, there's both a tourist tax and a regional tax. Here's what you could be paying per person, per night:
- Luxury hotels: up to €15.60 per person, per night
- 5-star hotels: €11.38 per person, per night
- 4-star hotels: €8.45 per person, per night
- Campsites: €1.95 per person, per night
The Netherlands
Tourist tax can vary depending on municipality - and Amsterdam tops the chart as one of the most expensive in Europe!
Last year, the tax rate was increased from 7% to 12.5% of overall accommodation costs. And from this year, if you're staying overnight by river or sea, the charge will jump from €14 to €14.50 per person, per night.
Is there a tourist tax in the UK?
Sort of - but they're not always called 'tourist taxes'.
Right now, you won't find them everywhere in the UK. But local visitor charges are starting to pop up more frequently. Here's a quick rundown of what you currently might need to pay:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Edinburgh: Scotland's first tourist tax, named the 'visitor levy' will be rolled out in July 2026. Any trips beginning from 24th July and booked after October this year will be affected by this.
Head's up - Wales doesn't currently have a tourist tax, but plans are in the pipeline to introduce one in the coming years.
Why are tourist taxes increasing in a lot of places?
Tourist taxes might feel like a bit of a nuisance - especially if they pop up unexpectedly. In fact, 29%* of people say they've started their holiday out on the wrong foot because of them.
But, they're not just there to catch you out. The great news is that they're being put to some good use.
Tourist tax is helping to:
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Tackle climate change and support sustainability. Cities like Amsterdam have introduced these charges to help manage over-tourism and reduce environmental impact.
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Boost local infrastructure and services. The money often goes towards public spaces, transport, and other facilities tourists use.
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Protect natural habitats. Tourist tax can help fund conservation projects and preserve the local environment.
How to budget for tourist tax
Over 1 in 10 Brits have paid more than £50* in tourist tax on a trip - and 26% have had to skip certain experiences or activities because of it*. But a bit of planning now can go a long way.
Wondering how much you’ll need to pay?
Use our quick tourist tax checker to get an idea of how much you might owe based on where you’re going.
Check now
All fees are correct at the time of writing, June 2025.
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