Barcelona increases daily tax for tourists - Up to 15 euros starting in April, one of the highest in Europe
Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed up to 15 euros a night after the city raised its tourism tax to one of the highest in Europe as part of efforts to curb visitor numbers and help fund affordable housing.
The regional parliament of Catalonia passed a law to double the tax for hotel guests in Barcelona from April to a maximum of 10 to 15 euros per night, from the current 5 euros to 7.5 euros, depending on the hotel category.
A two-night stay for a couple in a four-star hotel, the category of almost half of all hotels in the city, can now cost an extra 45.60 euros, as the local authority can charge up to 11.4 euros per night per person.
Guests at five-star hotels could be charged up to 15 euros per night and cruise passengers will continue to pay around 6 euros.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from tourists visiting the Sagrada Familia. Some said it could help prevent overcrowding and improve public services for residents, while others said the higher costs could make them reconsider visiting the city again.
Authorities in Catalonia are trying to find a way to respond to growing protests from residents about the excessive number of tourists, who they say are driving up housing prices by fueling a surge in short-term vacation rentals.
A quarter of the revenue collected will help address the city's housing crisis, according to the decision. Barcelona has already announced plans to ban all short-term rental accommodation by 2028. Meanwhile, guests of holiday rentals will pay a maximum of 12.5 euros in tax per night, up from 6.25 euros previously.
Before the tax increase, Barcelona ranked 11th on the 2025 list of vacation rental platform Holidu, behind Amsterdam, where tourists paid the most in Europe at 18.45 euros per day.
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