Spain’s most popular destination just increased its tourist tax
Barcelona increased its tourist tax this week for the first time since 2022.
The popular European tourist spot and most-visited city in Spain first introduced its tourist tax in 2012 in an effort to battle overtourism. The city previously announced plans to increase the regionwide surcharge in 2022.
How much is Barcelona's tourist tax?
Tourists visiting Barcelona must pay two different fees: a regional tourist tax and a citywide surcharge.
If you're visiting the Spanish city, the amount that you'll need to pay will vary depending on the type of accommodation that you're staying in.
Currently, the regional tax breaks down as follows:
- 3.50 euros ($3.79) per night when staying in five-star and luxury hotels
- 2.25 euros ($2.43) per night when staying in holiday rentals, including Airbnb
- 1.70 euros ($1.84) per night when staying in four-star hotels
Cruise passengers, meanwhile, will be charged 3 euros ($3.25) for city visits less than 12 hours and 2 euros ($2.17) for visits longer than 12 hours.
On top of these fees, tourists must also pay a city surcharge; as of Monday, this increased to 3.25 euros ($3.52) per night from 2.75 euros ($2.98).
How much will I pay for a weeklong vacation?
Considering the regional tourist tax and city surcharge, if you're visiting Barcelona and staying in five-star accommodation, you can expect to pay 6.75 euros ($7.30) per night. This would be 47.25 euros ($51.16) for a weeklong stay.
Four-star hotel guests would pay a daily fee of 4.95 euros ($5.36), which would amount to 34.65 euros ($37.50) for a weeklong stay.
If you're staying in a vacation home rental, the daily fee would be 5.50 euros ($5.95); this would amount to 38.50 euros ($41.66) for a weeklong stay.
Cruise trip visitors in the city for less than 12 hours will pay 6.25 euros ($6.76), and those staying longer than 12 hours will pay 5.75 euros ($6.22).
Bottom line
Barcelona is the latest popular tourist destination to increase its visitor tax. As of Monday, you could be paying as much as 6.75 euros ($7.30) per night when you visit the European city.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.