Fewer tourists, more money: The European capital is becoming much more expensive

Major European cities are raising tourist taxes to new heights: Amsterdam is expected to reach 20% accommodation tax, Venice is considering a daily entry fee of 30 euros, and Barcelona is imposing strict rates on tourists and cruise passengers. The article reviews the expected price hikes and recommends preparing financially.

Major European cities are hiking tourist taxes to record levels in an effort to reduce visitor congestion and boost revenue. Amsterdam, which already charges a 12.5% accommodation tax, plans to gradually raise it to 20%—making it a global leader. Venice is considering increasing its entry fee to 30 euros per day, up from the current 10 euros. Barcelona is imposing significant nightly surcharges on short-term rental apartments and hotels, and is targeting the cruise industry with escalating fees. Vienna has also raised its accommodation tax to 5% with a target of 8%, and Edinburgh has joined in with a 5% city tourist tax. The article notes that travelers should budget accordingly for these changes.