Barcelona to double tourist tax
Barcelona is effectively doubling the existing tourist tax for overnight stays.
City leaders just announced hikes for stays in hotels and short term rentals, effective next month.
Guests in hotels are impacted the most, with hotel taxes going up to around €12 based on the star rating.
It includes the new increased €5 surcharge, which is a fixed fee.
Vacation rental guests will now pay €4.50 a night up from €2.25 as well as the €5 surcharge.
Cruise guests are spared the increases and will continue paying €6 per night.
Also, Barcelona City Council announced the fixed surcharge will increase by €1 per year through 2029, up to €8 per night.
The move is to generate funds which will be used in part to alleviate the local housing crisis.
The surge in short term rentals across the city has severely impacted local housing affordability, which has been the reason for several anti-tourist protests in recent years.
The city has already announced plans in principle to ban short-term rental properties from 2028.
Related News Stories: MSC Cruises Announces Two New World Class Ship Orders During ... Meininger accelerates European expansion with seven new hotels Twiliner to launch first European luxury night bus route - TravelMole What's on in Scottsdale, AZ - TravelMole International tourist arrivals up 5% in the first nine months of 2025 Emirates expands Premium Economy with new A350 routes worldwide Marriott to launch first EDITION hotel in Africa - TravelMole Partner News - TravelMole Pleasant Holidays | Journese - TravelMole
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism