The highest taxes on tourism in Europe. Accommodation rates in Barcelona are up 100%.

From April, tourists visiting Barcelona will have to take into account additional costs during their stay in the city. The Catalan parliament has just adopted regulations that introduce a tourist fee of up to EUR 15 for each overnight stay. Thanks to these regulations, tourism tax rates in Barcelona will become one of the highest in Europe – reports Reuters.

The Barcelona authorities have been struggling with the problem of excess tourists for a long time and are trying to limit it through the so-called deterrence strategy, i.e. raising taxes and tourist fees. Although the previous increases have not discouraged travelers, the new rates may finally bring results. These changes will be introduced from April, their adoption was approved by the Catalan Parliament on Wednesday.

It's even twice as much for an overnight stay

Hotel guests will pay between 10 and 15 euros per daydepending on the class of the facility, while the previous rates ranged from 5 to 7.5 euros. The maximum fee for renting a private apartment will also increase – from 6.25 to 12.5 euros per night. This is also an introduction to another limitation for tourists, i.e. zban on renting private apartments, which is to apply from November 2028.

Barcelona authorities emphasize that most of the additional tax revenue will be allocated to solving the housing crisis, primarily to the construction of affordable housing. Thanks to this, Barcelona will not only try to regulate tourist traffic, but also improve the housing situation of its residents.

From April, a couple who spends two nights in a 4-star hotel in Barcelona – and such hotels make up almost half of all in the city – will pay a total of €45.60 in tourist tax, as the rate for this category is €11.40 per person per night.

– I don't think these increases are fair. Barcelona is already earning huge amounts of money from tourists, says Irene Varasso, a tourist from Italy, quoted by Reuters.

It's not just about tourists

Hoteliers are also worried, fearing that the new rates may significantly reduce guest interest. It's not just about tourists – Barcelona is the world's fourth largest destination for trade fairs and conferencesand participants of these events will also have to pay new fees – we read further in Reuters.

prepared by WM

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