One of Europe's most visited cities responds to pressure from local residents.
The Catalan parliament has approved a bill that will double the tourist tax in Barcelona starting in April. The current fee, ranging from 5 to 7.50 euros per night, will increase to 10 to 15 euros depending on the type of accommodation.
This hike will mostly affect hotel guests. For example, a two-night stay for a couple in a four-star hotel will now be about 45.60 euros more expensive than before. The fee for cruise ship passengers docking at the city port remains around 6 euros per night.
Local authorities are taking this step in response to the ongoing dissatisfaction of residents with excessive tourism. Critics argue that mass tourism raises housing prices and encourages the growth of short-term rentals, pushing locals out of the city center. A segment of the public has long been demanding stricter regulation of tourism.
The approved law states that a quarter of the increased tax revenue will go towards addressing the housing crisis. The city also plans to completely ban short-term vacation rentals by 2028, aiming to stabilize the housing market.
In Europe, Barcelona previously ranked 11th among cities with the highest tourist tax. Visitors pay a higher fee in places like Amsterdam, where the tax per night is roughly 18.45 euros.
