Barcelona Doubles Tourist Tax, Among Europe’s Highest, to Fund Housing

Tourism Tax Hike and Housing Plan

MADRID, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed as much as 15 euros ($17.70) a night after the city raised its tourism fee to one of the highest in Europe as part of efforts to curb visitor numbers and help finance affordable housing.

When the Increase Takes Effect

The regional parliament of Catalonia on Wednesday approved a law to double the tax for hotel guests in Barcelona from April to a maximum of between 10 and 15 euros per night, up from a current 5 euros to 7.5 euros, depending on the hotel category.

Four-Star Hotel Example

New Rates by Accommodation Type

A two‑night stay for a couple at a four-star hotel, the category of nearly half of all hotels in the city, could now cost an extra 45.60 euros, as the local authority can charge up to 11.4 euros per night per person.

Five-Star Hotels and Cruises

Guests at five-star hotels could be charged up to 15 euros a night and cruise passengers will continue to pay around 6 euros.

Resident Concerns Over Tourism

Authorities in Catalonia are grappling with how to address increasingly vocal protests from residents about excessive numbers of tourists they say are pushing up housing prices by driving a rise in short-term holiday lets.

How Revenue Will Be Used

A quarter of the revenue raised will help address the city's housing crisis, according to the law's text.

Short‑Term Rentals and 2028 Ban

Barcelona already announced plans to ban all short‑term rental accommodation by 2028. In the meantime, holiday rental guests will pay a maximum 12.5 euros in tax per night, up from 6.25 euros.

European Comparisons

Before the tax raise, Barcelona ranked 11th in holiday‑rental platform Holidu's 2025 list, behind Amsterdam, where tourists paid the most in Europe at 18.45 euros per day.

Hotel Industry Reaction

Hotel owners are concerned the tax rise could have unintended consequences and are unsure whether or not it will drive away too many of the around 15.8 million tourists who visit Barcelona each year.

Conventions Not Exempt

The city ranks among the top four in the world for conventions, according to the local tourism board, and attendees will not be exempt from the levy.

Gradual Increase Proposal Rejected

Manel Casals, general director of Barcelona's hoteliers' group, said proposals to raise the tax gradually to monitor its effects were ignored.

"One day they will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs," he said.

Exchange Rate Note

($1 = 0.8473 euros)

(Reporting by Corina Pons; editing by Charlie Devereux and Philippa Fletcher)