Tourist tax in Catalonia: Now the doubling is coming!

Tourist tax in Catalonia: Now the doubling is coming!

in Catalonia, the popular holiday destination in Spain, tourists are faced with a big change: tourist tax is now being doubled! This drastic measure, which will be particularly noticeable in the capital Barcelona, ​​comes due to the enormous tourist crowd, which has long since not only brings positive things. According to reports from Krone , the increase in visitor numbers is also responsible for local problems such as lack of housing and overloaded infrastructure. In order to counteract these challenges, the accommodation tax will increase to up to 15 euros per night for some guests.

The new overnight fees adapt to the type of accommodation. Travelers who stay in 5-star hotels will have to expect up to 7 euros per night in the future, while third parties will pay an additional 3.40 euros in 4-star hotels. The tax for guests in holiday accommodations such as Airbnbs is increased to 4.50 euros. This is the result of an agreement between the Catalan government and the parliamentary group Coms, such as The Local reported.

The background of the doubling

This tax increase aims to use 25 percent of the income for the lack of housing, which is tightened by mass tourism. The hotel industry has already spoken out against this increase because it fears that vacationers could be deterred. However, David Cid, a spokesman for the Coms, defended the measure by pointing out the high willingness to pay for tourists: "A person who pays between 300 and 400 euros for a hotel's night can easily pay seven euros more," said Cid. This happens against the background of a record of 19.9 million visitors in Catalonia in 2024, which makes the region most visited in Spain.

The new regulation will not only work in Barcelona, ​​but also in the surrounding communities, where citizens can also raise their own municipal surcharges. This could mean that total taxes in Catalonia are even higher than before. In view of these measures, the political discussion about mass tourism will certainly continue to gain driving, since the concerns of the residents about the effects on everyday life and living space are unmistakable.