Travellers heading to some of Europe’s busiest destinations will need to budget for higher tourist taxes in 2026, with several places increasing fees or widening the number of visitors affected. The changes range from small daily charges to much steeper bills for certain stays, cruise arrivals and even selected outdoor routes.
In Spain, Barcelona has doubled its tourist tax from April, while Catalonia and the Balearic Islands also continue to charge visitor levies by accommodation type. The source says Barcelona visitors booking ahead pay €5 on certain days from April to July, rising to €10 for last-minute bookings, while Catalonia outside Barcelona and the Balearics have their own separate rates.
Greece is also among the destinations where costs rise with the season. The article says visitors can pay a daily tax of €2-€15 in the winter months and €4-€15 between April and October, with a week-long trip adding up to €28-€105 per person.
Portugal’s system remains uneven, with charges set by municipality rather than nationwide. Lisbon’s tax is currently €4 per person per night, Porto’s is €3, and some Algarve areas charge €1-€2, while other places such as Coimbra are lower.
Beyond the Iberian Peninsula, the article highlights Venice’s returned daily tourist charge, which is €5 for visitors who book ahead and €10 for those booking less than four days before arrival. Norway will allow municipalities to impose a 3% tax on overnight visitors and cruise passengers, and Iceland has replaced its fuel tax with a per-kilometre road usage charge that also applies to tourists.
Scotland is set to add its own levy in Edinburgh from 24 July 2026, with a 5% Visitor Levy added to accommodation charges for stays booked since October 2025. The article also notes that Wales has no tourist tax in place yet, with any proposed levy not expected before April 2027 at the earliest.
Some destinations are using narrower fees aimed at managing pressure in specific areas rather than broad citywide charges. Tenerife’s new eco-tax applies only to hikers on certain routes in El Teide National Park, while Amsterdam, Milan and Brussels are also among the places where accommodation costs are rising through higher taxes or surcharges.