"The long-anticipated rise in Catalonia's tourist tax will not come into effect until at least April 2026, a delay that gives hotels, cruise operators and holiday rentals some breathing space - but also raises questions about how the region will fund housing and infrastructure projects linked to tourism. Tourist tax hike pushed back again Originally scheduled for May this year, the increase in the tourist levy was meant to double the amount visitors pay per night in Catalonia."
"Officials argue the postponement is partly due to the way the tax is structured, with payments collected in two annual instalments - April for the spring and summer season, and October for autumn and winter. By pushing the hike to April 2026, the administration hopes to give businesses more time to adapt while still preparing for a steep increase in revenue down the line."
Catalonia will delay the planned tourist tax increase until at least April 2026, providing hotels, cruise operators and holiday rentals additional time to adapt. The levy had been due to double and could have charged Barcelona visitors up to €15 per person, per night. Initial approval by decree was replaced by a full parliamentary bill, moving the rollout to October 2025, and subsequent negotiations between the regional government, Comuns and ERC produced a further 18-month postponement. The tax is collected in April and October instalments, and around €60 million of expected revenue will be reallocated from other budgets. Hoteliers and cruise lines warned of visitor deterrence, while supporters said the funds were necessary to address Barcelona’s housing crisis and tourism pressures on local services.
Read at Euro Weekly News
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