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.

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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.

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