Kyoto, Venice, Amsterdam and the Balearics Raise Tourist Taxes as Cities Push Back on Overtourism

A wave of cities raised or introduced tourist taxes in 2026 in response to record visitor numbers straining infrastructure and housing. Kyoto’s new accommodation tax, which took effect in March, charges guests at high-end hotels up to ¥10,000 (about $65) per person per night, a tenfold jump from the prior rate.

Venice continued its entry-fee system for day-trippers in 2026, charging visitors over 14 a €5 fee on designated high-traffic days, rising to €10 for anyone who has already visited four or more times that year. Amsterdam raised its hotel tax from 7% to 12.5% of the room rate, one of the steepest increases among major European capitals.

Spain’s Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, also raised their sustainable tourism tax for 2026, with the lower nightly rate climbing from €1 to €2.50 and the top rate from €4 to €6. Florence and Lisbon followed with their own increases, both citing the need to fund infrastructure strained by visitor volume.

Governments in Spain, Italy, Greece, Japan, Norway, France and Iceland have now introduced or expanded some form of tourist tax, entry fee or visitor cap this year. Travel planners say the added costs are still small relative to overall trip budgets but recommend building them into itineraries for cities that layer multiple fees.

Sources: Fox News, World of Wanderlust