Local officials in Catalonia have decided to raise the tourism tax substantially, meaning visitors to Barcelona will have to cough up more cash.
How much tourists pay depends on the type of accommodations they book. Since April 1, Barcelona visitors staying at five-star and luxury hotels have been charged €12 per person, per night, while guests at four-star hotels pay €8.40. Travelers staying in vacation rentals pay €9.50 per person, per night. The new rates include Barcelona’s €5 municipal surcharge and replace the lower rates previously charged to visitors.
Back in February, Reuters reported that Catalan authorities have received an increase in complaints from residents who believe overtourism and short-term vacation rentals are contributing to higher housing costs. The source also noted that, under the law approving the latest tourism tax increase, a quarter of the revenue will go towards addressing Barcelona’s housing crisis.
Cruise passengers are also paying more. Visitors staying in Barcelona for more than 12 hours are charged €9 per person, while those staying for 12 hours or less pay €11.
What Else Is There To Know About Barcelona’s Increased Tourism Tax?
Barcelona’s official website states that the city sees “an estimated 30 million” tourists annually. The city has increased its tourist tax several times since it was introduced in 2012. With the April increase, the charge is now among the highest tourism taxes imposed by a European city.
As mentioned, Barcelona has been attempting to combat the negative impacts of overtourism for over a decade. Efforts have ramped up, including the city’s decision last year to move forward with banning short-term rentals by 2028.
Contextually, anti-tourist sentiments and protests have also risen throughout Spain. Naturally, Barcelona’s latest tourism tax increase raises more debate on the matter. At the crux of the issue is whether the benefits to the local housing market outweigh the potential drop in tourism and revenue for local hospitality businesses.
