Barcelona Doubles Tourist Tax to €15 per Night

Barcelona is increasing its tourist tax, potentially reaching €15 per night. Catalonia is raising charges on hotels and Airbnbs to fund housing, sparking reactions from hoteliers and tourists.

Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed up to €15 per night as the city increases its tourist fee, making it one of the highest in Europe. Authorities in Catalonia face protests regarding the high number of tourists, which increases housing prices and short-term rentals.

The Catalan regional parliament approved a law doubling the tax for visitors renting holiday accommodations to a maximum of €12.5 per night, ahead of a ban on all short-term rental accommodations by 2028. Hotel customers will pay up to €15 per night from April, depending on the hotel category.

A couple staying in a four-star hotel could pay an extra €45.60 for a two-night stay. Five-star hotel guests could be charged up to €15 per night, while cruise passengers will pay around €6. 25% of the revenue will be allocated to managing the housing crisis.

Hotel owners worry the tax increase could deter tourists. Manel Casals, director-general of the Barcelona Hotel Association, stated that proposals for a gradual tax increase were ignored.