The Tourist Tax in Europe: One Idea, Many Rules

Across Europe, the tourist tax has become nearly universal. From Spain to Switzerland, most popular destinations now charge visitors a small nightly fee. The stated goal is the same everywhere: to help fund public services, infrastructure, urban maintenance, and sustainable tourism.
But implementation varies dramatically — some countries apply a fixed amount per night, others a percentage of the room rate, and the levels can range from a few cents to over €10.

Country-by-Country Overview

France – The taxe de séjour applies in most tourist areas. Rates range from €0.20 to €4.60 per night, depending on accommodation type. Paris and Nice also levy regional surcharges for public transport and tourism promotion.

Spain – The tax exists in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, not nationally. In Barcelona, guests pay up to €5.50 per night, while in Mallorca or Ibiza it’s around €1–4. Funds go toward sustainability and conservation projects.

Italy – Over 1,000 municipalities charge a tassa di soggiorno, from €1 to €10 per night, occasionally higher in luxury resorts. Rates are decided locally; transparency on fund usage remains a common criticism.

Germany – Known as Bettensteuer or Kurtaxe, the tax ranges from €1–3 per night or 5% of the room price in cities like Berlin. Business travelers are often exempt.

Netherlands – Amsterdam has one of Europe’s highest rates: 12.5% of the room cost for hotels, plus €3 per person per night for campsites — a deliberate deterrent to overtourism.

Switzerland – Almost universal, around CHF 2.50–4.00 per night. Many towns offer visitors a guest card with free public transport or local discounts in return.

Where It’s Still Absent

The UK, Sweden, and Denmark don’t yet have national tourist taxes, though Edinburgh plans to introduce one in 2026. Scandinavian countries are exploring eco-based visitor levies tied to environmental goals.

The Future

The trend is clear: the tourist tax isn’t going away.
Expect to see digital collection systems, eco-funds, and perhaps one day EU-wide coordination to make the system more transparent and fair.