In a bid to curb the relentless influx of tourists, Barcelona’s city council has approved a second increase in its tourist tax this year. The fee, which was initially raised from €2.75 to €3.25 per person per night in April, will now jump to €4 from October.
This decision comes after the first hike failed to significantly reduce visitor numbers, prompting authorities to take more drastic measures to mitigate the impact of overtourism.
Double Trouble: Regional and City Taxes
It’s important to note that this is just one part of the tourism fee puzzle. Visitors to Barcelona must also pay a separate Catalonian regional tourism tax, which varies depending on the type of accommodation. For instance, guests staying in four-star hotels pay €1.70 per night, while those opting for rental accommodation fork out €2.25. Luxury hotel dwellers face the highest charge at €3.50 per night.
Cruise passengers are also subject to the tourist tax. Those with a short stay of less than 12 hours pay €3, while those spending more than half a day in the city are charged €2.
A Costly City Break
The combined impact of these taxes means that tourists can expect to pay significantly more for their Barcelona getaways. From October onwards, the minimum nightly fee for all visitors will be €4, regardless of accommodation type.
While the city council hopes that these increased costs will deter some tourists, it remains to be seen whether the strategy will be successful in achieving its desired outcome of reducing overcrowding and preserving the city’s quality of life.