Barcelona trip on mind? Be prepared to pay higher tourism tax

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 €4 from the previous €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 €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 €1.70; for rental accommodations such as Airbnb, it is €2.25; and for five-star and luxury hotels, it is €3.50.

(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)


Passengers arriving by cruise ship and staying less than 12 hours in the city are charged €3, whereas those staying more than 12 hours pay €2.

Starting October this year, visitors intending to visit Barcelona will be subject to a payment of €4 on top of the regional tourist tax – an increase of €0.75 per night, the report says. “This means that guests accommodated in five-star hotels will pay a total of €7.50 per night – €52.50 per person for a week’s stay, up from the current €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 €2 per night from April to October and €1 per night from November to March.