majorca tourist tax

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Mallorca Tourist Tax

2023 Mallorca Tourist Tax Rates

Mallorca tourist tax (sustainable tourism tax).

Tourist Tax in Mallorca (also known as Tourism Eco Tax-Sustainable Tourism Tax) was first introduced by the Balearic Government in 2016. Since then many excellent environmental projects throughout the Balearic Islands have been funded with the proceeds.

Normally you will pay this tax on arrival at your accommodation unless it has been previously collected by your Agent/Tour Operator. The price per day ranges depending on the category of your accommodation.

Current Tourist Tax Rates 2023

Prices are per person, per day

Children under 16 free

Reduction on tax to 50% from 9th day

1 May - 31 October

Cruise Ships - 2 euros

(except those who have their base port in the Balearic Islands)

Hostal, guest house - 1 euro

Rural Hotels - 2 euros

Holiday Rentals (all types) - 2 euros

Hotels/Tourist Apartments 1, 2 and 3 Star/Keys - 2 euros

Hotels/Tourist Apartments, 3 Star/Keys Superior, 4 Star - 3 euros

Hotels/Tourist Apartments, 4 Star/Keys Superior, 5 Star Luxury - 4 euros

For example 2 people staying in a 4 star Hotel will pay

3.30 per person per day inclusive of IVA

1 November - 30 April

Winter rates 75% reduction

Funds collected from the Tourist Tax have been streamed into various environmental projects throughout the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca Ibiza and Formentera. A Commission on Sustainable Tourism was set up to decide together with existing organisations how the money is to be spent each year. The main issues are environmental restoration, improving the quality of tourism offering, improving infrastuctures for future tourism, promotional projects, cultural heritage projects, research, development and the improvement of job quality (including educational aspects) within the Balearic Islands.

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How much is Eco Tax in Mallorca in 2024?

by mallorcaunderthesun | Feb 1, 2023 | News | 0 comments

I have had many queries asking, “how much is eco tax in Mallorca in 2024?”

Eco tax is the official name of the tourist tax that visitors to Mallorca have to pay when checking into their hotel or apartment accommodation.

This article will take a look at the cost of Eco tax in Mallorca, and how much you can expect to pay when visiting the island on holiday.

For 2024, there has been no indication yet of an increase in 2023 rates.

If this changes, I will let you know via the Mallorca Under the Sun Youtube channel , Facebook Group or you can get the alert by signing up for the newsletter .

But watch this space because costs have gone up on almost every element of booking a holiday we have yet to hear about a rise in tourist tax in Mallorca.

So use this information only as a guide of what you need to pay when checking in to your accommodation.

Updated: 29 December 2023

Table of Contents

Who pays eco tax in mallorca.

Whether you are a resident or holidaymaker , if you are staying in a hotel or registered apartment, or even arriving on a cruise, you will have to pay Eco Tax .

If you are staying in hotel accommodation, you will have to pay Eco Tax at the time of check-in.

Eco Tax is only charged for adults aged 16 and over. Children under 16 years old do not pay eco-tax .

Is Eco Tax the same as the Tourist Tax in Spain?

Technically yes! Eco tax is the same as the tourist tax in Spain.

The eco-tax is a small charge for anyone staying in Mallorca for tourism purposes.

Funds raised from the Eco Tax (or tourist tax) were initially destined towards sustainable tourism projects in Mallorca to offset the environmental impact of mass tourism.

There has been much controversy in the past regarding the use of funds raised by the eco-tax since monies have not necessarily gone on to fund the environmental projects promised.

In 2021 it was believed the eco-tax was used to partially fund other projects outside the proposed environmental projects, including the possible funding of a music concert in Palma and as a means to help aid post-pandemic recovery.

It has also been reported that in 2022, the Eco tax was not used to fund any tourism projects

Such is the opposition to this tax, the now almost non-existent “Eco Tax” is more commonly known as the “Tourist Tax,” which is essentially a tax imposed on those who choose to holiday in Mallorca.

However, Spain is not the only country to charge a tourist tax on accommodation stays.

Visiting France, Italy, Greece and Germany to name a few, also charge a tourism tax when checking into tourist accommodation.

The amount of tax you will pay per night, per person depends on the category of accommodation you are staying in, PLUS IVA (a sales tax on a tax) which is around 10%.

You will also pay more during the summer season than in the winter season.

So how much is eco-tax in Mallorca?

Please budget for around 2€ to 4€ a night per person over the age of 16 and add this to the cost of your holiday.

Stay in a luxury hotel, and expect to pay around 4€ per night per person, while mid-range and 4-star hotels will pay in the region of 3€ per night per person.

Cruise passengers will pay upwards of 2€ per person, and those staying in smaller refugios (hostels) will pay just over 1€ a night per person.

For example, when we stayed in the 4-star BQ Delfin Azul hotel, I had to pay 3,30€ a night. Of course, my daughter wasn’t charged as she is under 16 years old.

So if you are arriving for a 7-day holiday in a 4-star hotel you will be paying in the region of 23€ for the week in Eco tax.

Don’t forget this tax will not be charged when you book your holiday . And you will be charged per person, not per room. This eco-tax will be charged upon check-in at your hotel.

Even if you are booking an all-inclusive holiday, eco-tax is not included and you will have to pay this separately.

After your flight and journey to your hotel, when checking in, the hotel receptionist will ask you to pay this eco-tax. This isn’t possibly the best welcome you can get to the island, so be warned!

You will be given the option to pay this by cash (in Euros) or by card.

If you are visiting in the winter months, then you will get a 75% reduction in tourist tax.

Do I have to pay Eco Tax when staying with Friends and Family in Mallorca?

No, when holidaying in Mallorca, paying eco-tax only applies to anyone staying in licensed tourism accommodations such as hotels, tourist apartments or villa rentals and hostels.

If you are travelling from the UK, find out about the reported requirement for the letter of invitation here.

Eco-tax reductions /exemptions for holidaymakers in Mallorca

The following discounts or exemptions apply for holidaymakers in Mallorca

• Children aged under 16 do not have to pay tourist tax
• Holidaymakers in Mallorca on extended stays will receive a 50% reduction in the tax, applicable from the ninth day of their stay at the same accommodation.
• Cruise passengers originating from ships with their home port in the Balearic Islands are waived from paying eco-tax.
• As I mentioned above, visit Mallorca in the winter months, and enjoy a 75% reduction in tourist tax.

I hope this article helps to prepare you for your holiday in Mallorca this Summer.

To avoid any other surprises when booking your Mallorca holiday, then check out the all-inclusive rules surrounding alcoholic drinks in Magaluf and Arenal in this article here , and also the rules surrounding smoking in Mallorca in this article here .

If you’re looking for other travel tips to help you plan your holiday, then check out this article here .

Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel and come and join us over on the Mallorca Under the Sun Facebook Group for more information about making the most out of your Mallorca holiday.

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The Balearic Tourist Tax

The unpopular topic.

The subject of the Tourist Tax is a very touchy one here on the Balearic Islands. Many, including tour operators and hotel owners, feel that it may put visitors off from spending their holidays over here. As discussions about the Tourist Tax (from now on “TT”) have been circulating for some years now, fears have grown that it will dampen Mallorca’s popularity with foreign tourism, while others seriously ask why the islands should be for free, when they have to pay a fortune elsewhere for services throughout their holidays. For example: Holidaymakers who want to spend a day on any beach in Germany with their families find themselves shelling out a small fortune and those who are not prepared to pay are simply denied access! Considering for example the summer weather conditions there compared to the glorious sunshine in Mallorca, one does wonder why on earth they have not levied the TT here ages ago!

The Tourist Tax in Mallorca is meant to go towards the upkeep of Mallorca’s beauty spots, which suffer heavily each year from the multitudes of visitors, and also towards protecting and maintaining the island’s natural resources . The islands are vying for about 120 million Euros in their coffers, money much needed to pay for restoration work once the season is over – providing it really is used on conserving the environment as planned. The TT is supposed to make tourism more sustainable and bearable for the island’s inhabitants during the high season – a kind of compensation for damage done by tourism.

Which are the rates of the tourist tax in 2021

In order to keep it simple the rates are as follows and are only charged for those over 16 years of age: people staying at luxury hotels will be charged 4€, those at a mid-range hotels/accommodation 3€, all cruise passengers and people staying in cheaper hotels, apartments and rented villas will be charged 2€ and campers and guests of modest hostels will pay 1€. Previously, cruise passengers only paid the TT if they stayed for longer than 12 hours, now they all must pay no matter how long they stay. During the winter months, November to April, there will be a 75% reduction which should motivate visitors to experience the island’s unique winter charm and enjoy the off-season tranquillity.

Organising the Mallorca Tourist Tax

If you are the owner of a Mallorca property for sale and are renting out to holiday makers, you need to sign up for the charging and subsequent payment of the TT. Best you go and see your gestor/accountant and get him/her to explain the procedure and help you master it, you must get yourself organised before you advertise your Mallorca property for rent. The gestor will also remind you that the TT has IVA included which has to be paid every 3 months. This means that you must start collecting your cost receipts and invoices relating to your property such as: laundry and cleaning, garden and pool cleaning, security if in place, electricity/water and general property management. Your Mallorca villa for sale has actually become a business and you need to be in touch with everything your gestor tells you to do.

How can i pay the tourist Tax?

There are 2 ways of paying the Tourist Tax: first it means a form of book-keeping for the villa owner in as much as you need to collect the receipts of payment, numbered and detailed of all clients, the proof of age for all under 16 year old. The second way is much easier providing you rent out for more than say 2 months a year: you pay a fixed sum every year, the so-called “estimación objectiva”. Either way, you pay the Tourist Tax once a year during the period 1st May to 30th June and you will receive an invoice from the tax office, like when the IBI is paid. Check with your gestor with regards to how much you must charge as the rates may have slightly risen, in 2021 the villa charge for less than 9 days was 2€ per day and for more than 9 days 1€ per day from day 9 onwards.

Remember the tourist needs to show proof that the Tourist Tax has been paid, so send out 2 separate, detailed invoices with successive numbers, one for the rental and the other for the TT: for example 7 days in a Mallorca holiday villa rental 4500€, tourist tax 6 pax x 2€ per day x 7 days 84€. 

Renting out your property is still a good business?

Renting out your villa or apartment  in Mallorca is a business now for you, but once you get into the swing of things, you will be pleased with the income  that your property can generate. Your invoices must be showing the following details: any business name, the exact property address and license number, the ID or passport number of one of your guests, the number of days they are staying, the price per day and the total amount paid. Things may seem to be getting complicated and do not forget as the owner of a property in Mallorca you need to submit an annual tax form in December, this needs to be complied with otherwise you may encounter problems when it comes to selling your Mallorca villa or finca.  We strongly suggest to search for properties in Mallorca with a valid holiday rental license if you plan to rent out your property as a rental business. 

Good News for the environment !

The good news is you as the owner of a country villa for sale in Mallorca collecting the Tourist Tax will be doing your bit to contribute to maintaining Mallorca’s natural beauty and infrastructure and the island will most certainly reward you for your efforts! The most important purpose is the protection of the nature of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, preservation and recovery. This means, for example, improving protected natural parks like the Albufera or the Tramuntana World Heritage and strengthening the conservation of natural ecosystems and native fauna and flora. External Sources about the Mallorca Tourist Tax: https://property-lawyers.com/property-mallorca/

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The A to Z of Mallorca's tourist tax

Everything you need to know about the tourist tax in Mallorca

The tourist tax (known before as ecotax) was approved by the Balearic government on March 22nd and will start to be applied on July 1st, 2016. With lots of contradictory information going around, here is a simple summary of what it will entail.

The tax will be charged to your accommodation bill, but it is the hotel who will ultimately have to pay the Balearic government. The amount depends on the type of accommodation you are staying in, from €0.50 for campsites and hostels, to €2 for five-star hotels. Three-star superior and four-star hotels, which comprise most of the rooms on offer in Mallorca, will have to charge €1.50 per day. Apartments, B&Bs and cruise ships calling at any of Mallorca's port for more than 12 hours are also subject to the tourist tax.

Children under 16 years old are free from the tax, and it is reduced in half from the eighth day on the island, as well as during the off-season (November to April). This means that the average family of four would end up paying an additional €21 to €56 on a one-week holiday in August.

This revenue will be invested in Mallorca's tourist sector , from new environmental projects to heritage protection, cultural promotion, and employment. A committee made up of 31 unpaid members, and controlled by the Balearic parliament, will decide where the money goes. The government predicts they will collect around €40 and €50 million this year, and around €60 and €70 million in 2017, with the current tax set until 2019.

Representatives of Mallorca's tourist sector have voiced their fears of a decrease in the number of visitors due to this surcharge, even if a similar tourist tax has been operating in Cataluña since 2012 with no real impact. Other areas in Spain are also contemplating its implementation.

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Mallorca Tourist Tax – This is What You Need to Know

Mallorca is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful tourist islands worldwide, and you should go there, explore everything, and have a wonderful time with your loved ones.

But before you go there, you need to learn about the tourist tax. Not sure what that is? Well, you’re in the right place because that’s exactly what I’m here to tell you.

In this article, we will discuss how the tourist tax works and if there is a tourist tax in Mallorca or not. We will also find out how much tax is imposed and the tax-paying conditions. 

So, let’s begin.

What is Tourist Tax?

Before you make your way to any country or island around the world, it is important that you learn about what tourist tax is.  Tourist tax is basically a revenue-generating tax that is targeted toward tourists for the benefit of the national economy and combating over-tourism.

When it comes to the tourism industry itself, they are strictly against this measure with the idea that excessive taxes might ward off tourists, which are beneficial for the country’s prosperity. However, in some cases, where tourists want to spend money for the benefit and conservation of tourism attractions and spaces, it can be pretty fruitful.

Related article: Is Mallorca Expensive?

These taxes are typically taken through accommodation providers or holiday companies indirectly to not extort money directly from the pockets of the tourist. But in most cases, tourist attractions can benefit quite a lot from this tax, improving the experiences tourists have and increasing the tourism friendliness of various spaces within their vicinity. 

So, if a place in the world requires a tourism tax, you should be encouraging it as long as it is being used for the benefit of tourism there.

Do You Have to Pay Tourist Tax in Mallorca?

Regarding Mallorca, a sustainable tourist tax is placed there, which is used to make tourism more bearable and the experiences of tourists better on the island.

The tourist tax was imposed on all tourists entering the Mallorcan vicinity in hopes of conserving the environment, the beautiful beaches, and natural scenes and ensuring that the excessiveness of tourists did not affect the island’s sustainability either.

Through this particular initiative, a total of 120 million euros every single year was to be generated for the betterment and the sustainability of the Mallorcan island, despite strong arguments being made by organizations like ABTA against it, saying that it would deter tourists from coming to Mallorca.

The fact is that the number of tourists is continuously increasing in the Balearic Islands, especially in Mallorca, and to control that over-tourism, placing a decent amount of tourist tax can do a lot. That is exactly why Mallorca has a tourist tax that every visitor has to pay as long as they’re tourists.  

How Much is Tourist Tax in Mallorca?

The most recent tourist tax for visitors staying in luxury hotels is 4 euros. Those staying in mid-ranged hotels have to pay 3 euros, while cheaper hotel residents have to pay 2 euros. That’s the same rate as cruise passengers as well. For campers and hostel guests, the rate is 1 euro per day.

The tourist tax isn’t directly taken by the government from the tourists. It is levied through other indirect ways. If we talk about the tourist tax imposed in Mallorca, it is mainly taken through the accommodation providers.

It isn’t a lot when you actually sit and think about it. Still, pooling in the tax from all the millions of yearly tourists that pay a visit to Mallorca, the overall tax can be a large sum of amount for the prosperity and benefit of Mallorca, which is why you should definitely take part in paying it when you’re there, and you should also support it.

Is Mallorca Tourist Tax Per Person or Per Room?

When it comes to the tourist tax imposed on tourists in Mallorca, the imposition depends on the kind of room they’ve occupied for their stay. So, depending on how luxurious or simple your accommodation in Mallorca is, you will be charged there.

Remember that the tax might be per room, but it also depends on how many days you’re staying there. For example, if a tourist stays in Mallorca for two nights, they’ll be charged their tax twice, one for each day. So, the tax is per room and per day as well.

That’s why if you want to save money and stay in Mallorca for a long time, it is best if you choose to stay at a mid-range hotel. That would be the ideal decision for you.

Is the Tourist Tax in Mallorca Justified?

Many people tend to say that the tourist tax imposed on the visitors to Mallorca isn’t justified because it can stop the enthusiasm of tourists wanting to visit the island.

Well, that’s actually not true. People who want to visit the island also would like it to prosper, so paying a tax for the betterment of the island of Mallorca is justified. So, ideally, when you go with your family to Mallorca, you should pay the tax and encourage others to do so as well.

The tourist tax that Mallorca charges are definitely worth the hype. Mallorca has a lot to offer tourists, from breathtaking views and world-class activities to impressive tourist attractions and resorts. Tax is charged according to the accommodation type, which is also discounted during the low season.

Related article: What is Mallorca Known For?

There is so much to do in Mallorca, so paying a little tax to enjoy all these things will definitely not affect your vacation budget. So, make sure you plan a visit to the island with your loved ones and have a great time there without worrying about the costs.

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New tourism tax in the Balearic Islands

What is the sustainable tourism tax on tourist stays?

Since 1st July this year the new sustainable tourism tax on tourist stays has begun to be

applicable, in accordance with the 2/2016 Act 30th March. This means that, from this moment

on, the agents of the different types of accommodation for tourists will have to register with

the tax census and start to collect this new tax, with an amount which may vary between 0.5

and 2 euros per tourist per night.

How to declare the collected amount

Agents and owners can use two different methods in order to declare the collected amount:

the direct assessment method and the objective assessment method .

In the first case, the tax will be collected according to the total number of days of stay of a

specific tourist, regardless if he or she is a resident or not. This means that the agents will have

to keep all the documentation so that the Tax Agency can control carefully the number of days

each client has spent in the accommodation site. The amount of the tax might vary depending

on whether the season is high or low and it might also decrease from the ninth day of stay of a

certain tourist. Some authorities from the Balearic Tax Agency claim that this system is the

most complicated one for the declarants in formal terms.

In the second case, it is not necessary to count the days of stay of the tourists; instead, the Tax

Agency performs an assessment based on official data from the Spanish National Statistics

Institute (INE) and the Ibestat (Balearic Statistics Institute). As a result, it is possible to obtain a

days-of-stay average during which a tourist has been occupying a bed of every category and

type. Then, a module is created (the average) which is applied to the number of beds of each

accommodation site. The Tax Agency claims that this is a much simpler method.

How to register with the census

It is possible to do it for free through Internet. Log in the Tax Agency website (www.atib.com),

go to the tax on tourist stays section and fill in the 017 model. Agents and owners must

register before July 31.

How does it affect vacation rentals?

When must tourists pay the corresponding amount?

At any time during the stay.

Which is the most advisable declaration method?

Either the direct assessment method or the objective assessment method can be used, but the

latter has a large amount of interesting advantages and conveniences, because it allows to

simplify formalities a great deal. Within this method, owners may choose between five

There are five modules which are respectively applied to a certain opening period.

Furthermore, in each case the amount is also estimated according to the number of beds that

every accommodation site has. A reduction in the total real number of beds is performed as

well: two beds are substracted from the real total number, since it is presumed that the two

first beds are occupied by adults, while the rest of beds tend to be occupied either by adults or

children. Therefore, two beds are withdrawn from the real total number of occupied beds and

the result is multiplied by 0.65%. Then, this result is multiplied by the corresponding opening

period module. The final result would be the annual amount to be paid.

For example:

For a vacation apartment or house with five beds, two of them would be substracted, the

result would be multiplied by 0.65 and this result would be multiplied by the opening period

How does it affect illegal rentals?

Since the 8/2012 Act 19th July was enacted during the last term, it has become extremely

difficult for many owners to legally rent their properties as vacation apartments because the

Act does not allow them to commercialize their apartments through the most common tourist

commercial resources, such as websites. In order to comply with the law, these owners have

the only choice of leasing their properties adhering to the Spanish Urban Tenancy Act (LAU)

without using those tourist commercial resources. This has led to a situation in which many

owners keep leasing their apartments outside the law. However, the new sustainable tourism

tax also affects them.

The Tax Agency authorities presume that those apartments which are rented during a period

inferior to two months have been commercialized as vacation apartments; therefore, a tourist

stay is taking place and the tax must be applied.

How could someone prove that there is no such tourist stay taking place?

If the property is not rented as a vacation apartment, it must be proved before the tax

administration that there is a contract and that the deposit has been duly paid; this will serve

as evidence that the rental is subject to the LAU. In this case, the sustainable tourism tax will

not be applied.

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Spain tourist tax - how much is tourist tax for Majorca, Benidorm, Barcelona and more

Tourist tax in Spain is a controversial topic among hoteliers and visitors, but something there is no getting away from if you choose to travel to the country's most popular holiday spots.

The decision to charge a levy is left up to local authorities, meaning those that do charge the tax can have different rates and eligibility.

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Although the majority of the country is tourist tax-free, some of the most popular areas of Spain now charge a fee for tourists to help pay for infrastructure, resources, amenities and even to reduce the number of visitors at peak times. A family of four could face paying an additional €175 for a week away to the most expensive destinations. This, along with essentials like travel insurance and luggage , could quickly make a cheap deal look much more pricey.

Currently, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and some parts of Catalonia (including Barcelona) charge a tourist tax. Valencia (which includes Benidorm) is due to launch its tourist tax in December 2023.

Madrid has also discussed the introduction of a tariff on numerous occasions but has not yet implemented one. Parts of Andalusia, such as Seville, Granada and Malaga, have also expressed interest in introducing a tourist tax, while northern regions Galicia and San Sebastian are also considering introducing a charge.

Each area charges the tax slightly differently, which we’ve broken down for you below. Or use our Spain tourist tax calculator to see what you'll need to pay.

Tourist tax for Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera (Balearic Islands)

Tourist tax for barcelona, tourist tax for catalonia, tourist tax for benidorm and valencia, spain tourist tax for airbnb stays, spain tourist tax calculator, spain tourist tax.

The Balearic Islands has charged a tourist tax covering all islands on the archipelago – Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera - since 2016, in a bid to make tourism more sustainable and preserve the environment.

The cost for each visitor is between €1-€4 per night depending on the type of accommodation they are staying in, with those in the most luxurious hotels paying the most.

Campers and those staying in hostels or lodgings pay €1 a day, cruise passengers (no matter the length of their visit) and those in budget hotels and apartments up to 3 stars pay €2, mid-range accommodation visitors pay €3, and luxury hotel guests pay €4 a day.

Rates more than halve during low season between November 1 and April 30.

They are: Hostel dwellers and campers pay 25 cents a day, cruise passengers and budget hotel and apartment guests up to 3 stars pay 50 cents, 3 star 'superior' and 4 star hotels charge 75 cents and 4 star 'superior' and five star luxury hotels charge €1.

Children under 16 are exempt. Those staying longer will have a 50% discount applied starting on the ninth day of staying at the same accommodation.

Barcelona charges visitors between €3.75 and €6.25 a night depending on the type of accommodation they are staying in.

Some of the money goes to the Catalonia region with the rest going to the city. The prices are due to go up steadily over the next few years as the city authority raises its fee. The first rise came into force on April 1 2023.

Currently, those in hotels and apartments up to four stars pay €5.50 a night. This goes up to €6.25 for those in five star hotels.

Housing for tourist use, such as Airbnb are charged €5 a night with other, lower-ranked establishments costing €3.75 a night.

Cruise passengers must pay €5.75 to enter the city, or €4.75 if spending more than 12 hours there.

From April 1 2024, the Barcelona city surcharge will increase again by 50 cents a night.

Children under 16 are exempt from the tourist tax in Barcelona.

Outside of Barcelona, the rest of Catalonia charges tourist tax. Because this is only collected by the regional authority, this is cheaper than Barcelona but can still add up for a family staying for a week.

The charge is between €0.60 and €3 a night, again depending on the type of accommodation.

Those in a 5-star hotel are charged €3, dropping to €1.20 for those in 4-star hotels and apartments.

So-called 'housing for tourist use' such as an Airbnb, costs €1 a night, with other establishments costing €0.60.

Cruise ship passengers staying less than 12 hours must pay €3, with the price dropping to €2 for those staying more than 12 hours.

Children under 16 are exempt from the tourist tax in Catalonia.

The Valencia region, which includes Benidorm, Alicante and Valencia city itself, will allow a tourist tax to be charged from the end of 2023 or start of 2024.

The charges will be between 50 cents and €2 a night, depending on the type of accommodation.

A 50 cents charge can be imposed on campers and €2 for hotel and apartment stays. Cruise passengers will also have to pay, although the amount is not clear.

However, after much frustration from local authorities, the region agreed the levy would be voluntary rather than mandatory.

As of April 2023, almost all authorities including Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja have said they will not enforce the tax. Only Valencia city itself appears to be on board with the charge. However, there is no guarantee things will remain this way.

In fact, local reports suggest the tax could be scrapped completely following the election of new president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón.

Under the Valencia region's rules, if the tax did come into force, children under 16, disabled people and those in the area for a university event would be exempt.

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Holidaymakers booking through Airbnb must also pay a tourist tax when visiting the areas of Spain that have introduced the charge.

This is not always included in the price quoted for an accommodation, and Airbnb cannot currently collect this money on behalf of the local authorities in Spain. However, it is in talks to make this happen.

As such, the tourist tax in Spain is usually paid for on arrival or via a third party.

Airbnb already collects tourist tax for European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Want to quickly calculate how much Spain tourist tax you'll owe? Enter a few details into our Spain tourist tax calculator below and get an instant estimate:

Here are all the Spain tourist tax charges as of April 1 2023:

*Benidorm, along with the whole of the Valencia region, can charge the same, but has so far said it will not be charging tourists.

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Majorca tourism

The new balearic tourism minister - tourist tax will be for tourism, a priority will be to modify the 2022 tourism law, jaume bauzà (left) and iago negueruela on tuesday. | mdb.

Andrew Ede | Palma | 2023-07-12 8:49

The new Balearic government in place and it is time for outgoing ministers to hand over official briefcases and documents to their successors. On Tuesday, Iago Negueruela made the transfer to Jaume Bauzà , who will be minister for sport and culture as well as for tourism. It was an encounter during which Negueruela was said to have been distant and somewhat frosty.

The new tourism minister, a one-time mayor of Montuïri, said that he will need some time to settle in, to meet his officials and to start the Partido Popular's programme .

Without going into detail, Bauzà explained: "We are going to follow the roadmap marked out in the electoral campaign by President Marga Prohens. One of the priorities will be to change and modify the tourism law . We are going to recover the best of past laws, to which changes should not have been made. This will be done with maximum consensus."

On the tourist tax (aka sustainable tourism tax), the new minister acknowledged that after it was introduced in 2016, the spending of revenue was in line with purposes that had been set out in the relevant legislation. "But later it became a mixed bag to finance all kinds of initiative that had nothing to do with tourism." One of his first measures will be to ensure that funds are used for improving tourist infrastructures and the "conversion" of mature resorts. " These funds must not be wasted."

While the PP have pledged to keep the tourist tax, there is speculation that rates between November and April may be lowered (they are currently a quarter of the rates from May to October) or even scrapped.

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Almost 700 million euros of tourist tax revenue since 2016

Partido popular will not scrap the tourist tax, most viewed, tourists caught trying to flee mallorca after trashing hotel, sunloungers set ablaze in alcudia, spanish pensioners stuck at palma airport for fourteen hours, balearics shark alert.

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Tourist tax of the Balearic Islands

Dear client,

We would like to inform you that the Balearic Parliament has introduced a new tourist tax applicable to stays in tourist accommodations located on the Balearic Islands. The tax will enter into force next 1st July 2016 (Law 2/2016 on the Taxation of Tourist Accommodation on the Balearic Islands).

The tax will range between 100 cents and 4 Euros per person per day/part of a day, plus 10% VAT, depending on the type and category of accommodation, as listed below:

During low season (between 1st November and 30th April of the following year) the tax will be discounted by 75%. In addition, after nine days of any stay, the rate will also be cut by 50%. Children under the age of 16 are exempt from paying the tax.

Therefore, any natural person (over the age of 16) staying in a tourist accommodation on the Balearic Islands is obliged to pay the before mentioned tax to the owner of the establishment where he/she is staying.

As a result of that and of our obligation to pay the tax to the tax authorities of the Balearic Islands, we hereby inform you that, in compliance with the current Law, we will proceed to charge you the above mentioned tax before you check out.

The money collected from the tax will go to a fund promoting sustainable tourism. The money will be used to fund projects encouraging a sustainable, responsible and high-quality tourism model, particularly projects that boost the preservation of the environment (nature, country life, agriculture and sea life), off-season tourism, historical sites and cultural heritage, research and development, education and employment. The projects will be selected by a Committee for Sustainable Tourism Promotion made up of representatives of the Balearic Government, Island Councils, City Councils, economic and social stakeholders and other organisations. The job of the Committee is to draw up an annual plan and set the key annual goals according to specific territorial balance criteria.

In case you have any questions regarding the new tourist tax on the Balearic Islands, you can contact the Balearic Tax Agency by calling at 901 201 530. We wish you a pleasant stay.

Yours sincerely,

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What is the ‘tourism tax’ in Spain and where do I have to pay it?

TOURIST taxes are common worldwide. In Spain, there are currently found in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Regional and municipal governments impose tourist taxes through accommodations at hotels and short-term rentals, which are typically collected by the property owner. 

Catalonia was the first Spanish autonomous community to implement its tourist tax back in 2012, which is currently divided into two separate fees — one to the municipal government and one to the regional government. 

Rates differ between Barcelona and other Catalan cities.

Visitors staying in Barcelona have to pay the fixed municipal rate of €3.25 per night — recently increased from €2.75 last year and €1.75 in 2022 — in addition to the regional government tax, which varies depending on type of accommodation. 

The regional tax is €2.25 per night for apartments and €3.5 for five-star hotels, meaning that visitors to the Catalan capital should expect to pay in total €5.50 per night in an apartment and €6.75 in a five-star hotel. 

For cruise ship visitors planning to stay in Barcelona for more than twelve hours, the combined total is €6.25 per night. 

Elsewhere in Catalonia, tourists will have to pay €1 per night for tourist rentals, €1.20 per night for mid-level hotels and €3 per night for luxury accommodations . 

However, Catalonia’s tourist tax only applies to short-term visitors. 

That is, tourists will only be charged the tax for a maximum of seven days if they remain in the same accommodation continuously. 

In the Balearic Islands, which has had a tourist tax since 2016, rates are dependent on both accommodation type and time of year. 

The tourist tax is more during the high tourism season between October and May, when rates range between €1 and €4 per person per night, although children under the age of 16 are exempt. 

Campers pay €1, cruise passengers and visitors staying in budget hotels pay €2, while those paying for mid-range hotels must pay €3, increasing to €4 for luxury hotels. 

Tourist taxes are used by governments to shift the tax burden from residents to visitors, generate additional tax revenue, fund local environmental and cultural initiatives, and generally discourage overtourism by encouraging visitors to stay in less frequented areas. 

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, for example, has one of the world’s highest tourist taxes, currently at around $100 per visitor per night, down from $200 last year. 

Tourist taxes are typically imposed in vulnerable or popular areas prone to overtourism, where the cultural and economic impacts of heavy tourism have the potential to negatively affect local residents. 

A new tourist tax in Madrid has been proposed on numerous occasions, most recently in May 2023 during the capital’s mayoral elections, when former Tourism Minister and candidate Reyes Maroto said she supported a tourist tax, to criticism from the tourist sector and political opponents. 

A tourist tax in Valencia was en route to implementation in 2023, before the autonomous government repealed it in November. 

It would have seen fees as high as $2 per night for high-end accommodations. 

• This much-visited region in eastern Spain will abolish the controversial tourist tax from next week
• Travel update for Spain: There will be a need for a tourist tax in Andalucia ‘in the near future’

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Tourist Tax - at a glance

• Tax is collected and rated per person, per day
• Based on accommodation category
• 50% reduction from 9th day
• TIP each NEW hotel stay, means the day count is reset!
• Children under 16 free
• Payment is made at Accommodation (1)
• How much to pay

Balearics Tourist Tax background

The Tourist Tax in Menorca (also known as Eco Tax , Sustainable Tourism Tax) was first introduced by the Balearic Government in 2016 - our calculator will show you how much Tax is due. Unexpected? - it falls under local taxes in any Holiday Contracts so will often not be included to date as it is paid locally . It can be a 'Holiday Tax Headache' to work out as it varies by age, length of stay and accommodation categories AND if you stay in more than one Accommodation

Balearics Tourist Tax Calculator

Valid for Mallorca, Menorca , Ibiza or Formentata our handy calculator will give you an estimate for your Holiday Budget (2) IMPORTANT If your Balearics Holiday is over 9 days and you are staying in more than one Tourist Accommodation then the stay length discount resets :-(. So you will need to calculate a Budget for EACH Hotel etc.

Good to Know some Tourist Accommodation may absorb these Tax charges. Also categories can be 'vague'. The accommodation will tell you any amounts due at Check-in.

Tourist Tax 2024

Holiday tax budget.

A service of the BEST guide to Menorca www.mymenorca.info

Rates: High season: from 1st of May to 31st of October. Stays up to 8 days: 1-4 Eur/Category/Adult(>16)/day. Stays of 9 or more days: 1-4 Eur /Category/Adult/day for the first 8 days, and 50% reduction for the following days. Low season: from 1st of November to 30th of April. Please note that the total maybe subject to 10% VAT depending on establishment.

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How is the Tourist Eco Tax used?

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On the critical list - Mallorca news round-up

Spanish students, hire cars, northern lights ....

Northern Lights seen from Cala Ratjada | @PepHernandez4

According to the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation, the island finds itself in a "critical situation" and it is one, moreover, that the federation has been alluding to for several years. Or so the federation implies in stating that it has been seeking a "transformation process" for the past decade. This transformation applies to the tourism model and specifically the manner in which the model generates tourist overcrowding .

The federation was speaking on the same day (Tuesday) as there was a heated exchange in the Balearic parliament . The former tourism minister, Iago Negueruela of PSOE, claimed that the government of Marga Prohens' Partido Popular was "maintaining practically all the policies of Francina Armengol's government because they (the PP) do not know how to do anything new".

PSOE and other parties now in opposition have been highlighting the fact that policies they introduced, and for which they were criticised by the PP, have now been accepted. For example, the moratorium on new tourist accommodation places isn't going to be lifted - for now at any rate. Prohens insisted in parliament that she has "always" defended the limitation of tourism growth , pointing to a government programme of transformation that allows growth in value, not in volume.

A form of political consensus

But this can't really be said to differ fundamentally to what the previous government sought. While the political exchanges are to expected, the reality is that there is something like consensus across the political spectrum. How this has been arrived at is frankly unimportant, as it can't be understated just how much the political tone (that of the current government) has changed in only a matter of a fortnight or so.

At present, however, "measures", be these to tackle overcrowding or tourist excesses, show no great advance, despite what the government and Council of Mallorca may say. Even so, it seems undeniable that tourism has arrived at a crossroads, and one at which there is to be serious debate.

Less tourism, better lives

A few days before the hoteliers and parliamentarians had their say, a study was published which indicated, among other things, that 86% of people living in Mallorca believed that their lives would be better if there were less tourism. A significant finding was that 81% of those whose jobs depend on tourism were of this view. A survey of this type, with a small sample base of 420, can always be dismissed because it is small. Nevertheless, it did offer an indication of opinion .

Irresponsible tourism - Spanish students

While the hoteliers now applaud the government for its tourism of excesses decree, there having been criticism and a subsequent government rethink, there are excesses which carry on regardless. The Llucmajor local security board has met to finalise measures for dealing with all the Spanish students who will be arriving in Arenal in June for four weeks of end-of-course holidays. Excesses by the students, and these apply elsewhere in Mallorca, are very difficult to police. For instance, how can a ban on street drinking be enforced effectively given the numbers of people? These holidays are the total antithesis of so-called responsible tourism , and everyone knows they are except for a very limited collection of businesses that derive financial benefits from them.

Cars in Mallorca - "something has to be done"

Ibiza will be applying limits to the number of vehicles entering the island in high summer, thus following the lead of Formentera, where there is to be a further four per cent reduction this summer. The association of vehicle rental firms, AEVAB, says that Formentera should serve as a "laboratory" for limits on the other islands, its president, Ramón Reus, having accepted that "it is clear that something has to be done".

While AEVAB, which is said to represent 85% of hire-car firms in the Balearics, is open to reducing the number of cars, Reus insists that any limits should also take account of private vehicles that arrive on ferries. He has a point; one wonders what the ferry operators' view is.

Congestion on the roads can't overlook the fact that the sheer number of bicycles at given times add to the sense of 'saturation'. There is also the risk factor. And in this regard attention has been drawn to the concentrations of cyclists at the Coll de Femenia on the Pollensa to Lluc stretch of the MA-10 main road in the Tramuntana. A well-known stopping point, cyclists tend to be on the road itself - both sides of it - and therefore represent a real risk.

Lighting up the north of Mallorca

The Formentor road, as we know, is subject to congestion. And on the peninsula, as we also well know, there is the saga of the Hotel Formentor redevelopment, the latest instalment in which being that the hotel will now reopen in August and not June, as had been expected. This reopening can't come soon enough; most of us are weary of the saga.

Formentor was a good place to witness a rare event for Mallorca. The Northern Lights have been seen before from the island, but last weekend's display was most unusual because of the scale and intensity. Salvador Sánchez from the observatory in Costitx explained that the last such event was some ten years ago but was "very brief and small"; nothing like what was seen overnight on Friday last week. Meanwhile, it has been announced that the observatory, which filed for bankruptcy in 2016, has been acquired by an unnamed group of investors. It is said that the observatory's scientific functions are assured and that there are possibilities for "astrotourism".

"Taking away our right to live"

Returning to tourist overcrowding and what is very much a related topic - the housing problem - there was a protest in Palma by motorhome dwellers last Saturday. Held outside the town hall building, the protest was against the new bylaw that will oblige motorhome owners to move their vehicles every ten days. One of the protesters said that the town hall is "taking away our right to live". An organiser added that the protest was "100% positive" but regretted the fact that it was partially hijacked by motorhome tourists. "They don't understand people who live in the vehicles." The protest was intended to draw attention to the housing problem .

The government, a rentals agency

Spain's National Statistics Institute has estimated there are some 100,000 empty homes in the Balearics , approximately one-sixth of the entire housing stock. Empty homes have been the focus of political attention in that they do offer a potential solution to the housing problem. The government has a new plan for these homes. Dubbed Safe Rental, it will involve the government acting as a sort of letting agency. Owners, many of whom are reluctant to rent out properties for long-term residential purposes, will be offered certain guarantees to allay their concerns.

An aspect of the scheme is that the government will pay owners the market rates for rents, depending on where they are, and then sublet to tenants through agreements with estate agencies and property management companies.

The housing minister, Marta Vidal, believes that the programme will release "thousands of apartments" onto the market. Maybe it will. It's certainly worth a try, and the government should be applauded.

How many illegal holiday lets ?

A portion of the housing stock is off the market because it is being offered for illegal holiday letting. A data-trawling exercise by the Tax Agency and island councils has led to the conclusion that there are some 8,700 illegal holiday lets in the Balearics. The calculation is based on the tourist tax . There are properties for which the tax is paid but that are not registered as holiday lets.

As the cross-checking of data has also detected registered holiday lets for which the tax isn't being paid, it wasn't clear if the 8,700 included these; they are legal. There are other questions that arise, e.g. illegal lets for which the tourist tax isn't paid and those that don't appear on websites like Airbnb that were consulted for the purpose of the exercise. The findings and the information given by the authorities weren't entirely satisfactory.

• Costitx observatory
• Illegal holiday lets
• Mallorca Motorhomes
• Mallorca empty homes
• Mallorca hire cars
• Spanish students
• Tourist overcrowding

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‘We’ve gone too far, we have to turn back’ vows Majorca in new tourist crackdown planned for ‘overcrowded’ hols hotspot

• Aliki Kraterou , Senior Foreign News Reporter
• Published : 10:39, 10 May 2024
• Updated : 10:44, 10 May 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

MAJORCA has vowed tourism has gone "too far" and is planning to launch a fresh crackdown on the "overcrowding" of the island.

A wave of anti-tourist demonstrations swept across popular Spanish holiday hotspots last month with furious locals protesting against 'low-quality' tourists .

Bitter graffiti even appeared on Spanish streets urging tourists to "go home" and reading "your paradise, our misery" .

Despite the angry protests and discussions over a new "daily tourist tax" to try to lower the number of holidaymakers, Brits continue to flock to the sunny hotspots .

The Canary Islands that called for a cap on the number of visitors , are followed by Majorca which is now determined to find ways to curb mass tourism, Ultima Hora reports.

Member of Palma XXI association Jaume Garau said: "There is a general feeling that we've gone too far and have to turn back."

READ MORE ON MAJORCA

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Speaking during a presentation for an upcoming congress on tourism to be held by the Civil Society Forum, Garau stressed the issues the Balearic islands are facing due to the high number of tourists.

He explained that the purpose of the congress is to prepare a proposal, alongside locals and civil associations, to establish a sustainable tourism model.

He warned: "There will come a time when people here won't be able to go anywhere."

The initial document proposes measures to lower the number of visitors such as the reduction of the rental car fleet, following the example of Formentera, or the implementation of a tourist tax .

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Other key issues the forum has addressed was the reduction of tourist accommodation places, the conservation of protected natural spaces and the water cycle.

Another forum member, Margalida Ramis said: "Tourism must decrease and reconvert."

Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots

A WAVE of anti-tourist measures are being implemented across Europe to curb mass tourism in popular holiday hotspots.

Overcrowding has become the main problem in many sunny destinations, with authorities trying to find a solution to keep tourists and locals happy.

Officials have attempted to reduce the impact of holidaymakers by implementing  additional taxes on tourists , or  banning new hotels .

Earlier this year Venice became the first city in the world to charge an entry fee for holidaymakers after it started charging day-trippers €5 (£4.30) if visiting the historical  Italian  centre.

It was followed by an area in  Barcelona which resorted to  removing a well-used bus route from  Apple  and  Google  Maps to stop crowds of tourists from using the bus.

 Meanwhile, San Sebastián  in the north of Spain, limited the maximum number of people on guided visits to 25 to avoid congestion, noise, nuisance and overcrowding.

The city has already  banned the construction of new hotels.

The Spanish government has allowed  restaurants to charge customers more  for sitting in the shade in Andalucia.

Benidorm has introduced time restrictions, as swimming in the sea between midnight and 7am could cost a whopping £1,000.

The Canary Islands are also considering adopting measures to regulate the number of visitors - and charge tourists a daily tax.

Greece has already enforced a tourist tax during the high season (from March to October) with visitors expected to pay from €1 (£0.86) to €4 (£3.45) per night, depending on the booked accommodation.

Officials in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia want to  introduce a fee for travellers  to remind people to be courteous during their trips.

While David Abril, stressed that "tourism is more than an economic activity" and it "cannot be separated from issues such as immigration or housing".

He concluded by saying that the current saturation problems in other leading destinations on the planet, "are a final wake-up call in what is becoming a global trend."

The Congress is expected to be held on June 26.

Majorca's plan comes after thousands took to the streets in Tenerife last month to demand restrictions on holidaymakers.

More than 15,000 people waved Canary Islands’ flags and blew horns to make a deafening noise in the capital Santa Cruz.

Residents said they are "fed-up" with "low quality"  Brits who only come for the cheap beer, burgers and sunbathing .

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Messages in English left on walls and benches in and around the resort read "My misery your paradise" and "Average salary in Canary Islands is 1,200 euros ."

But the Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo expressed his concern over the  growing anti-tourism movement and begged holidaymakers to keep coming.

• Canary Islands

Brits warned of anti-tourist protests on Spanish islands of Majorca and Ibiza

Campaigners in the Spanish holiday mecca of Majorca are planning demonstrations against the large numbers of tourists visiting the region every summer which they say is causing problems

• 20:59, 18 May 2024

Protestors against mass tourism in Spain are turning their sights on Majorca.

Visitors were yesterday warned of possible chaos this summer. On Friday hundreds of locals in Sineu, Majorca, discussed plans to create traffic gridlock around Palma airport and stage demos outside hotels.

The action is being plotted by a group calling itself Association Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, which means Less Tourism, More Life.

The anti-tourism movement has already seen angry scenes in Tenerife, Lanzarote and elsewhere on the Canaries, and action is planned in Ibiza. Locals complain they are being overrun by holidaymakers – particularly boozy British yobs.

More than 2.3 million Brits visit Majorca each year, an influx worth almost £2billion.

Travel agent Paul Charles predicted: “Campaigners won’t put off tourists. Tourism creates and saves jobs on these islands but there has to be a balance. Locals raise valid concerns about how the growth needs to be managed.”

Last month thousands took to the streets to rage against the problems caused by mass tourism and demand that their politicians take action.

Up to 80,000 marched in Tenerife alone, with protesters holding up banners saying: “You enjoy, we suffer.”

Graffiti telling tourists and digital nomads to “go home” has appeared in Majorca and Tenerife.

Campaigners in the Canaries want a halt to two controversial hotel projects, an eco-tax, and more sustainable tourism.

MORE ON Spain Majorca Tenerife holidays Benidorm (Spain)

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Why you should expect to pay more tourist taxes – even though the evidence for them is unclear

Senior Lecturer in Economics, Bangor University

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, Bangor University

Disclosure statement

Rhys ap Gwilym has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to various devolved taxes, including the proposed visitor levy.

Linda Osti has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to the proposed visitor levy.

Bangor University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

View all partners

In April 2024, Venice began its controversial experiment to charge day trippers €5 (£4.30) to visit the city on some of the busiest days of the year. But it’s not just the lagoon city, with its 30 million visitors a year which is interested in trying out new tourism taxes.

In the UK, a council in the county of Kent has recommended introducing a tourism tax on overnight stays in the county. In Scotland, it seems likely that visitors to Edinburgh will be paying a fee by 2026, and the Welsh government plans to introduce similar legislation later this year.

Such taxes may seem new to the UK, but there are more than 60 destinations around the world where this type of tax is already in place. These vary from a nationwide tax in Iceland to various towns across the US. Some have been in place for a long time (France was the first in 1910 ), but most were introduced during the last decade or two.

Before the pandemic really struck (and tourism was put on hold), 2020 was described by one newspaper as the “year of the tourist tax” , as Amsterdam joined an ever-growing list of destinations, which includes Paris, Malta and Cancun, to charge visitors for simply visiting.

Introducing these tourist taxes has often been controversial, with industry bodies voicing concerns about the potential impacts on the tourist trade.

And it appears that the link between such levies and visitor numbers is not simple, with several studies reaching different conclusions. For example, some have suggested that tourism levies have hindered international tourism in the Balearics and the Maldives , and that they may dissuade people from participating in domestic tourism .

Yet in one of the world’s most popular tourism spots with a levy, Barcelona, visitor numbers have consistently risen , with hotel guests increasing from 7.1 million in 2013 to 9.5 million in 2019.

In fact, the relationship between a visitor levy and tourist flow is so complex that there is no unified view, even within the same country. Italy has been one of the most studied, and results are inconsistent there too .

Another study, looking at three neighbouring Italian seaside spots finds that only in one destination has the visitor levy reduced tourist flow . And a study on the Italian cities of Rome, Florence and Padua shows that these cities have not experienced any negative effects either in terms of domestic or international demand.

So the impact of tourism taxes on visitor numbers is inconclusive.

But what about other effects, such as the potential benefits of spending the revenues raised? As part of an ongoing research project, we looked at seven different destinations in which tourist taxes are levied to look at how the money raised is then spent.

For most places, tourism tax revenues were being used to fund marketing and branding – so invested directly into promoting more tourism. The income was also commonly used to fund tourism infrastructure, from public toilets and walking or cycling paths to a multi-billion dollar convention centre in Orange County, Florida.

In the Balearics , revenues tend to go to projects that mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture and society of the islands. These include waste management, conserving natural habitats and historical monuments, and social housing.

But in general, tourism taxes have been implemented successfully across the destinations we looked at, and there is little evidence of tourists being put off from visiting.

Research also suggests that when tourists are told what the levy is used for – and when it relates directly to improving their experience or enhancing sustainable tourism – tourists are willing to accept and pay the levy.

Day trippers

For many tourism destinations, the major problem is not overnight tourists, but rather day visitors who use local resources while making little in the way of a financial contribution. For these reasons, taxes might also be used to deter day visits and instead encourage longer stays.

Venice is at the forefront of this shift. And in April 2024, after long discussions between the local authority, residents and business owners, Venice started a trial of a day visitor tax (a so-called “access fee” ).

Read more: An entry fee may not be enough to save Venice from 20 million tourists

Back in Kent, it may take longer for any such radical plans to come to fruition. In contrast to Scotland and Wales, there are currently no national plans to introduce tourist taxes in England.

This might be considered shortsighted, given the dire need of many destinations in England to improve local infrastructure that tourists rely on, including clean bathing water and public transport . In Manchester and Liverpool , businesses have implemented voluntary overnight charges on visitors, in the absence of the statutory basis to implement compulsory levies.

Many other English towns and cities will probably follow their lead. Tourism taxes are something we might all have to consider budgeting for in our future travel plans, wherever we choose to visit.

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Locals threaten to collapse Majorca’s busy airport in protest over mass tourism

Gerard Couzens

Campaigners against mass tourism are threatening to collapse Majorca’s busy international airport and protest outside hotels.

The radical tactics were put forward at a ‘citizen’s assembly’ on Friday at a school in the inland town of Sineu.

Association Menys Turisme, Mes Vida, which translates into English as "Less Tourism, More Life", organised the meeting to prepare the way for a large protest against so-called tourist massification and the effect it has on the lives of local people. More than 300 people took part in the brain-storming session.

The idea of a protest at Palma Airport, one of the busiest in Europe during the peak summer months, involving cars massing outside and causing traffic gridlock was greeted with rapturous applause.

No date was finalised for the demo and nothing set in stone but activists showed they were serious about the airport proposal by discussing its legal implications and the wisdom of setting up a fund to pay fines levied by the authorities.

Activists promised an “intense summer” at the packed meeting held at Sineu Secondary School.

Local media reported around 30 people had been forced to watch from the entrance doors because they couldn’t fit into the assembly hall.

The idea of protests outside island hotels was also put forward.

The meeting ended with organisers suggesting more proposals should be registered in writing in the coming days before a final decision on a “massive demonstration” in the next few weeks is taken.

A separate protest against ‘tourist overcrowding’ next Saturday in Palma has already been announced.

An organisation called Banc del Temps has organised the event under the slogan ‘Mallorca no se vende’ - Spanish for "Majorca is not up for sale."

A group called Prou has organised a protest which will take place on the neighbouring island of Ibiza on Friday night against the “stress” mass tourism brings.

Activists are calling on everyone who supports a “sustainable Ibiza” to join them and have flagged up the problems of lack of affordable housing and packed public spaces as issues they want to combat.

Thousands of people in the Canary Islands took to the streets of the Atlantic archipelago last month to protest against the problems caused by mass tourism and demand their politicians take action.

Government officials in Tenerife, where protestors held up banners which said: ‘You enjoy we suffer’ and ‘Tourism moratorium now’, said around 30,000 people had taken part but organisers put the figure at 80,000.

Anti-tourist graffiti has appeared in both Majorca and Tenerife in recent weeks.

Last month the words ‘Go Home Tourist’ were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in the Majorcan neighbourhood of Nou Llevant, which has undergone massive transformation with most new properties being snapped up by Germans.

It was billed as a smaller version of San Francisco’s Silicon Valley when the transformation of the neighbourhood five minutes from Playa de Palma got underway.

Locals have been echoing some of the same complaints protestors in the Canary Islands have been making, claiming code-operated key lock boxes have appeared on many of the entrances of new apartment blocks.

One Spanish woman interviewed under a fictitious name in an island paper last year complained it was difficult to communicate with neighbours because most only spoke German and the majority of apartments where she lived were being purchased as holiday homes or rental investment properties.

Campaigners in Tenerife were quick to distance themselves from anti-tourist graffiti which appeared on walls and benches in and around Palm Mar in the south of the island at the start of April.

Messages in English left on walls and benches in and around the resort included ‘My misery your paradise’ and ‘Average salary in Canary Islands is 1,200 euros.’

In an apparent UK backlash, a response left in English on a wall next to a ‘Tourists go home’ message said: “F##k off, we pay your wages.”

A picture was subsequently published in local press showing the words ‘Go Home’ on a hire car in Tenerife. Canarias Se Agota, the lead platform behind the Canary Islands protests grouping together a number of ecological associations, has voiced demands which include a halt to two controversial hotel projects, an eco-tax and more sustainable tourism.

Some foreign holidaymakers have shown their support for the issues raised by the islanders but others have accused them of biting the hand that feeds them.

Six men and women affiliated to Canarias Se Agota, which in English would translate as ‘Canary Islands on the Brink,' went on an “indefinite” hunger strike on April 11 outside a church in the town of La Laguna in northern Tenerife.

It was called off after 20 days, with one of the activists who stopped eating saying as the decision to end the radical action was announced: “We’ve been amazed at the social response and that’s the best thing we’ll take away from this. I’m very hopeful for the future.”

• Balearic Islands ,
• Canary Islands ,

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Everything You Need to Know About Abu Dhabi Tourist Taxes

Abu Dhabi may be well known as a tax-free earnings haven for many of its international expatriate workers, but, make no mistake, there are many other taxes along the way!

In this Abu Dhabi tourist tax guide, we’ll explain what sort of taxes you can expect to pay as a visitor to the UAE, how the 5% VAT introduced in 2018 works, the 2023 tourism tax updates and refunds available to tourists.

You can read our complete guide to Abu Dhabi money matters here – including the average cost of food & hotels in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Hotel Taxes

Dining taxes in abu dhabi, what about alcohol in abu dhabi is it taxed, other taxes and excises in abu dhabi, abu dhabi tax refund for tourists scheme.

When you are booking a hotel online for Abu Dhabi, it is VERY likely you are being quoted the gross price for just the hotel room – BEFORE many taxes which are payable directly to the hotel.

The taxes on Abu Dhabi hotels have changed significantly over the years, but as of 1 September 2023, you can expect to pay:

• VAT 5% (should be included in the price you’re quoted)
• Property Service Charge 10%
• Tourism Fee 4% (reduced from 6%)
• Municipality Fee 4%
• Destination Fee abolished (was 15 AED per room, per night)

This can put the total cost of your quoted stay at nearly 20% more than the listed price on booking platforms.

If you are booking through an agency or a package tour, be very specific in asking whether these taxes have been included or excluded so there are no nasty shocks when you arrive at your accommodation in Abu Dhabi .

Visiting Dubai? Pop over here to learn about the slightly different local taxes that are applied to hotel stays in Dubai Emirate.

When you are dining in a hotel restaurant, ordering room service or drinks at a bar, you can also expect the following charges to be added to your bill:

• Service Charge 10%
• Municipality fee 4%
• Tourism Fee 4%

In restaurants not attached to a hotel, you should expect to pay only the 5% VAT, which by law should be included in the listed price of a menu item.

You are not required as a restaurant customer to leave a tip in the UAE. Many customers will either round up or simply add 10-15% if they are happy with the service, but there’s not an expectation as you’d find in North America, for example.

In a food court fast food outlet in Abu Dhabi, you should expect to pay:

• Only the 5% VAT. This should be included in your quoted price.

Purchasing food in a supermarket

• All supermarket food is subject to the 5% VAT; there are no zero-rated food items.

Learn more about the best places to dine in Abu Dhabi here

As you might know, alcohol IS available for non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi from licensed outlets.

Alcohol incurs tax at the point it is imported, though you won’t see this tax broken down as a separate line item on your purchase, it’s built into the supplier’s cost. The only tax you will see as the consumer is VAT, which is included in the shelf price.

• NB a 30% alcohol tax was applicable for a few years in Abu Dhabi emirate, but this was abolished in 2023.

If you are consuming the drink in a bar or restaurant, VAT, municipality, tourism and service charges will apply as above.

Other items in Abu Dhabi and the UAE that you may not realise are additionally taxed include carbonated drinks, energy drinks, electronic smoking devices and tobacco products. The excise tax on these goods is 50 to 100%.

When VAT was first introduced in 2018, tourists still had to pay the full amount of VAT.

Since 18 November 2018, tourists only temporarily in the UAE can now apply for a VAT refund , operated by Planet, on behalf of the Federal Tax Authority. There are, of course, conditions:

• Goods must be purchased from a retailer who is participating in the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme’.
• Goods are not excluded from the Refund Scheme of the Federal Tax Authority.
• You must have the explicit intention to leave the UAE in 90 days from the date of supply, along with the purchased supplies.
• You must export the purchased goods out of the UAE within three months from the date of supply.
• The process of purchase and export of goods must be carried out according to the requirements and procedures determined by the Federal Tax Authority.
• You will receive 85% of the total VAT amount paid, minus a fee of 4.80 dirhams per Tax-Free tag
• Minimum spend 250 AED.

You can learn more about the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme on the Planet website .

We hope this guide helps you better understand the taxes that will be applied during your time in Abu Dhabi emirate.

Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi

• Pop into our essential planni ng information page ; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi , a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE .
• Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance !
• Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi , or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:

Take me back to the Abu Dhabi Travel Blog

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links . Abu Dhabi Travel Planner

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Over 60 places around the world charge tourist taxes – and there’s more to come

E ditor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. CNN is showcasing the work of  The Conversation , a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation.

In April 2024, Venice began its controversial experiment to  charge day trippers  €5 ($5.40) to visit the city on some of the busiest days of the year. But it’s not just the lagoon city, with its  30 million visitors  a year, which is interested in trying out new tourism taxes.

In the UK, a council in the county of Kent  has recommended  introducing a tourism tax on overnight stays in the county. In Scotland, it seems likely that  visitors to Edinburgh  will be paying a fee by 2026, and the Welsh government  plans to introduce  similar legislation later this year.

There are more than 60 destinations around the world where this type of tax is already in place. These vary from a nationwide tax in Iceland to various towns across the US. Some have been in place for a long time (France was the  first in 1910 ), but most were introduced during the last decade or two.

Before the pandemic really struck (and tourism was put on hold), 2020 was described by one newspaper as the  “year of the tourist tax,” as Amsterdam joined an ever-growing list of destinations, which includes Paris, Malta and Cancun, to charge visitors for simply visiting.

Introducing these tourist taxes has often been controversial, with industry bodies  voicing concerns  about the potential impacts on the tourist trade.

And it appears that the link between such levies and visitor numbers is not simple, with several studies reaching different conclusions. For example, some have suggested that tourism levies have hindered  international tourism in the Balearics  and  the Maldives , and that they may dissuade people from participating in  domestic tourism .

Yet in one of the world’s most popular tourism spots with a levy, Barcelona, visitor numbers have  consistently risen , with hotel guests increasing from 7.1 million in 2013 to 9.5 million in 2019.

In fact, the relationship between a visitor levy and tourist flow is so complex that there is no unified view, even within the same country. Italy has been one of the most studied, and results  are inconsistent   there too .

Another study, looking at three neighbouring Italian seaside spots finds that only in one destination has the visitor levy  reduced tourist flow . And a study on the Italian cities of Rome, Florence and Padua shows that these cities  have not experienced any negative effects  either in terms of domestic or international demand.

So the impact of tourism taxes on visitor numbers is inconclusive.

But what about other effects, such as the potential benefits of spending the revenues raised? As part of an ongoing research project, we looked at seven different destinations in which tourist taxes are levied to look at how the money raised is then spent.

For most places, tourism tax revenues were being used to fund marketing and branding – so invested directly into promoting more tourism. The income was also commonly used to fund tourism infrastructure, from public toilets and walking or cycling paths to a multi-billion dollar  convention centre  in Orange County, Florida.

In  the Balearics , revenues tend to go to projects that mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture and society of the islands. These include waste management, conserving natural habitats and historical monuments, and social housing.

But in general, tourism taxes have been implemented successfully across the destinations we looked at, and there is little evidence of tourists being put off from visiting.

Research also suggests that when tourists are told what the levy is used for – and when it relates directly to  improving their experience  or  enhancing sustainable tourism  –  tourists are willing to accept and pay  the levy.

Day trippers

For many tourism destinations, the major problem is not overnight tourists, but rather  day visitors  who use local resources while making little in the way of a financial contribution. For these reasons, taxes might also be used to deter day visits and instead encourage longer stays.

Venice is at the forefront  of this shift. And in April 2024, after long discussions between the local authority, residents and business owners, Venice started a  trial  of a day visitor tax (a so-called  “access fee.” )

Back in Kent, it may take longer for any such radical plans to come to fruition. In contrast to Scotland and Wales, there are currently no national plans to  introduce tourist taxes  in England.

This might be considered shortsighted, given the dire need of many destinations in England to improve local infrastructure that tourists rely on, including  clean bathing water  and  public transport . In  Manchester  and  Liverpool , businesses have implemented voluntary overnight charges on visitors, in the absence of the statutory basis to implement compulsory levies.

Many other towns and cities will probably follow their lead. Tourism taxes are something we might all have to consider budgeting for in our future travel plans, wherever we choose to visit.

Rhys ap Gwilym is a senior lecturer in economics and Linda Osti is a senior lecturer in tourism management, both at Bangor University. Ap Gwilym has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to various devolved taxes, including the proposed visitor levy. Osti has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to the proposed visitor levy.

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