Considering a trip to Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean this year? Well, be ready to budget beyond flights and hotels, as many popular international destinations are implementing or increasing tourist taxes to combat overtourism and manage the strain on local resources.
From Bali’s crackdown on unruly tourists to Venice’s battle against mass tourism, governments are turning to visitor levies to control crowds, protect historic sites, and offset the damage caused by overtourism.
In Amsterdam, where frustrated locals protested against excessive tourism, the city responded by raising hotel taxes to 12.5%, making it one of the highest in Europe.
In Mexico, authorities plan to charge cruise passengers $42 per person, making ports like Cozumel and Cancun significantly more expensive for visitors. Greece is implementing a €20 ($22 USD) per-person cruise arrival fee to limit the overwhelming influx of tourists in Santorini and Mykonos.
What started as a modest fee has evolved into steep, unavoidable costs in many places. While some fees go unnoticed, others can make or break your vacation budget.
Mexico: VISITAX and Cruise Passenger Tax
In Quintana Roo, which includes destinations like Cancun and Tulum, requires foreign tourists to pay a fee known as VISITAX. Approximately $17 USD per person, this tax is mandatory and must be paid by all international visitors, including children, before departing the state.
Mexico also plans to impose a $42 immigration tax for each cruise ship passenger docking in the country this year.
Japan: Departure and Lodging Tax
Japan enforces an International Tourist Tax, commonly called the “Sayonara Tax,” which costs 1,000 yen (approximately $9) and applies to all travelers leaving the country.
In 2026, Kyoto is set to increase its lodging tax, with rates potentially reaching up to 10,000 yen (approximately $70) per night, a significant rise from the previous 1,000 yen cap.
Italy (Venice): Day-Tripper Fee
Starting April 18, 2025, Venice will implement a €5-€10 ($5.50-$11 USD) Access Fee for day-trippers visiting the historic city center on select dates, primarily weekends and holidays, until July 27, 2025.
Vacationers must register and pay online in advance, receiving a QR code for inspection, while overnight guests, residents, students, and children under 14 are exempt. Non-compliance can result in fines between €50-€300 ($55-$330 USD).
Spain: Hotel, Cruise, and Tourist Tax
Barcelona has both a regional tourist tax and a city tax. The city tax is a flat rate of €4 (approximately $4.35) per person per night. Additionally, cruise ship passengers staying in Barcelona for over 12 hours must pay €6.25 (roughly $6.80).
The Balearic Islands, encompassing Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca, have announced plans to raise their tourist tax by up to 200%. This means that overnight charges could increase from €4 to €6 per person per night, particularly impacting those staying in four and five-star hotels during the summer months.
Cruise ship passengers might also see charges rise from €2 to €6 per night.
France (Paris): Hotel Tourist Tax
Paris charges a tourist tax per person per night, with the rate varying by the hotel’s star rating. For instance, 5-star rated accommodations have a nightly charge of €3.30 (approximately $3.60), and 2-star rated accommodations have a nightly charge of €0.99 (roughly $1.10).
United Kingdom (Edinburgh): Tourist Levy
Edinburgh is set to introduce a £2 (approximately $2.70 USD) per night tourist levy per person, which will apply to visitors staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and other short-term rentals.
Germany (Berlin): City Tax on Hotels
Berlin’s City Tax is 5% of the net room rate (excluding VAT and service fees). The tax is capped at 21 successive days. Business travelers are exempt from the tax but must prove the purpose of their trip.
Thailand: Tourist Entry Fee
Thailand plans to reintroduce a tourist entry fee of approximately 300 Thai Baht (roughly $9) for international travelers arriving by air.
Portugal: Hotel Tax
Around 40 Portuguese municipalities have implemented a tourist tax on overnight stays, with nine additional municipalities planning to introduce such fees later this year.
In Lisbon, the city tax increased to €4 per guest per night, applicable for up to seven consecutive nights, with exemptions for children under 13. Porto’s tourist tax is €3 per night.
In the Algarve region, seven municipalities, including Faro, have implemented a tourist tax, charging €2 per person per night during the high season (March to September) and €1 during the low season (October to February).
The Azores introduced a €2 per person per night tax for up to three nights.
Greece: Accommodation and Cruise Tax
Greece vacationers are subject to a daily tourist tax that varies depending on the type and classification of the accommodation.
This year, Greece will implement a €20 (approximately $22) per-person arrival fee for cruise passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos during the summer.
Netherlands (Amsterdam): Hotel Tax
Amsterdam has a tourist tax of 12.5% of the accommodation cost.
Indonesia (Bali): Tourist Entry Fee
In 2024, Bali has a tourist tax of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately $10) per traveler.
New Zealand: International Visitor Levy (IVL)
New Zealand enforces an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100 (approximately $65) when applying for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authority) or visa.
Switzerland: Hotel Tax
Switzerland imposes a tourist tax that varies by canton and municipality. The average cost is around CHF 2.20 (approximately $2.40) per person per night.
Malaysia: Tourist Tax on Hotel Stays
Malaysia requires international guests to pay a tourist tax of RM 10 (approximately $2.40) per room per night at registered accommodations.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands): Entry Tax
To protect the unique ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador has an entry tax of $200 for international visitors.
Bhutan: Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Since 1991, Bhutan has charged visitors a daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). Currently that fee is $100 per person to ensure high-value, low-impact tourism.
Travel Journalist, Digital Publisher, Creator
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Travel Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Partner, Society of American Travel Writers member, and the creator behind Wander Worthy. She covers vacation destinations, news, trends, and the occasional “off the map” story.
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