Spain's Catalonia raises the tourist tax

By the end of 2025, visitors to the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia will pay a higher accommodation levy. Authorities justify the measure as a way to tackle both excessive tourist flows and the shortage of affordable housing at the same time.

Across most of Catalonia, the additional levy will range from €1.20 to €6 per night, depending on the type of accommodation. However, in Barcelona, where overtourism is felt most acutely, the tax will rise even further: for example, tourists at campsites will be charged a minimum of an extra €2 per day, while guests at five-star hotels will have to pay up to €7 more. Combined with other charges already in place in the regional capital, some visitors could end up facing additional costs of up to €15 per night.

From campsites to cruise ships

Although the new amount is nearly double the current rates, parliamentary spokesperson David Cid considers it justified. According to him, travellers who can afford to spend €400–500 a night on a hotel can easily set aside another €7 on top of that.

Cruise enthusiasts won't escape the extra charges either. Passengers on ships docked at the Port of Barcelona will have to pay up to €6, and a separate tourist charge of €4 per day has been introduced for those who stay in the city for more than 24 hours.

25% of funds earmarked for local housing

In 2024, Catalonia collected around €90 million through the tourist tax. After the rate increase, revenue is expected to reach €200 million a year. Authorities plan to direct 25% of that amount toward housing projects, as high rental costs have long been a source of discontent among local residents. According to the Catalan Housing Agency, rents have risen by 70% over the past decade, while income levels have not seen comparable growth. Alongside this, other problems have emerged, including increased pressure on water resources.

The situation has already sparked public protests, graffiti telling tourists to go home, and attacks on tourism businesses in the Canary Islands. In response, authorities have introduced a number of restrictions on short-term rentals in some regions and doubled the property purchase tax for non-EU buyers.

Will this have a lasting effect on Spain's popularity?

It remains unclear whether these measures will affect overall tourist numbers. In 2024, the country welcomed 94 million foreign visitors — a record, and just six million short of France, which ranks first in the world for visitor numbers.