European Tourist tax:
How much are you going to be taxed in Italy, Spain, and other European tourist locations?
Various European countries or cities have what's known as a Tourist Tax Europe which is utilized for tourism-related purposes yet guests don't frequently acknowledge it is set up in light of the fact that the charge is normally joined into their accommodation cost. This fee has to be paid normally at hotel reception desk at checkout.
Tourism taxes 2024
City and local taxes are generally levied on overnight or day visitors and can vary by season and location within a destination. Main variants are:
- Flat rate per person, per night
- Flat rate per person, per night based by accommodation type and star rating
- Percentage of the room rate
Flat rate per person, per day if not staying overnight. To date of the destinations listed, day taxes apply in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Sarajevo.
Many European hotspots have started charging these tourist taxes. Even though you paid for your vacation already, you must pay the extra fee when you get to your hotel. Travel agents and Tour Operator are not allowed to charge the tax upfront.
How much will you have to pay in tourist taxes at the more popular tourist spots in Europe? Take a look below. The prices are based on info from European Tour Operators Association (ETOA).
Austria
Visitors to Austria will be required to pay an overnight accommodation tax (which includes in caravans and camping locations), which is assessed depending on the province you will be visiting. The tourist tax, which is also known as (Beherbergungsbeiträge) varies between locations. In Vienna or Salzburg, it amounts to around 3 percent of the hotel bill.
Belgium
In Belgium, the fees vary depending on the standard and size of the hotel. The rate in Brussels is charged per room, and varies depending on the size and rating of your hotel, but is usually around €7.50. Antwerp also charges per room. The tourism taxes in Belgium vary from one city to another. Tourism for everyone decree is where accommodation falls and children that are 12 years old or under do not have to pay the tax.
Bulgaria
According to the law, anyone staying in a hotel or other accommodation must pay a tourist tax. The amount of the tax varies depending on the location and standard of the hotel – the more attractive the locality and the better the level of accommodation, the higher the fee you will have to pay. The tax is levied throughout the year, for each consecutive night’s stay in Bulgaria.
Croatia
The tourist tax, or 'sojourn tax,' in Croatia varies based on season and location. During peak season (June 1 to September 30), the rate is around 1.40 EUR per adult per day, while in the off-peak season (October 1 to May 31), it's about 0.70 EUR. Rates differ by city, ranging from 5-10 HRK per person per night. Children under 12 and individuals with significant disabilities are usually exempt.
France
The tourist tax or ‘Taxe de Sejour’ applies in France and the nightly charge is per person and will vary depending on the accommodation's standards and quality. The website https://www.sejour.tax/en/calculator/ breaks these prices down for you for each accommodation and location. Those 18 years and under do not have to pay the tax.
Germany
The German terms used for these special taxes vary from place to place: Übernachtungsteuer (“overnight stay tax,” “room tax”), Bettensteuer (“bed tax”), Beherbergungsteuer (“hospitality/lodging tax”), and Tourismusbeitrag (“tourism contribution/fee”) are just four examples. The many different names also reflect the fact that there is no uniform approach to these occupancy taxes within Germany.
German cities and towns that charge a tax for overnight stays include: Berlin and Cologne, (7.5 percent), Dresden and Frankfurt/Main (€2 per person/night), Freiburg, Hamburg and Leipzig (5.6 percent). So it varies from city to city.
Italy
In Italy, the tourist tax or Tassa di soggiorno applies. Different cities have different charges and it will depend on the star rating of the hotel and is levied on a predetermined number of nights and children are usually exempt from the tax. Rome's city tax rate varies from €4 to €10 per night according to the rating of your accommodation. The tax is payable for up to 10 nights of continuous stay. Here's a handy table illustrating the various rates.
Netherlands
The tourist accommodation tax in the Netherlands is referred to as the Toeristenbelasting. The nightly charge is per person in almost all of the 421 municipalities as per the ETOA. The tax will vary with the hotel grade or the kind of accommodation and differs per municipality. They can set a fixed amount per person per night or day. Or they can set a percentage of the costs for an overnight stay.
Portugal
The tourist tax is a fee charged to all guests staying in tourist or local accommodation (also known as "AL" or "Alojamento Local") developments in cities where the tax is in effect. Basically, an extra amount is charged, per night and person, on top of the room rate.
Romania
The tourist accommodation tax in Romania is known as the Taxa Hoteliera Locala. It is 1% and applies to the total accommodation cost per night. But, accommodations in tourist resorts only pay the tax for the first night. Visitors under 18 years old are exempt from the tax.
Spain
What is the amount of Spain's tourist tax? Spain's tourist tax saw its first increase on April 1, 2023. Visitors staying in hotels and apartments up to four stars are now required to pay €5.50 per night, while those in five-star accommodations face a slightly higher fee of €6.25 per night.
Switzerland
Kurtaxe is a Swiss tourist tax payable by all hotel and lodging guests. This may also be known as the Visitor Tax. Rates depend on the type of establishment, and there can be seasonal variations too. Generally the cost ranges from CHF 2.50 to CHF 3.50 per adult, per night. Do note that this tourist tax won’t always be included in your accommodation rate. So be prepared to pay the tax when you check out, in cash.