Some cities in Europe have started charging tourist taxes from visitors, with amounts ranging from 50 cents to tens of euros. Find out more about the amounts involved and in which countries tourists now have to pay mandatory fees

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Dozens of countries and cities, including those in Europe, have started charging visitor fees in an effort not only to make money but also to stop the excessive flow of tourists. Although the daily amount of tax is usually small, a family of four can pay more than 115 euros to the city in a week, not including the cost of accommodation, transportation, and souvenirs.

Which countries charge tourist taxes and fees?

Most European countries charge tourists a tax for hotel stays:

● Austria - the tax for overnight stays depends on the province where the tourist stays. According to the Mirror, in Vienna and Salzburg, 3% is added to the hotel bill for each person staying.

● Belgium - the tax is charged for each night of stay in Belgium, but it should be borne in mind that the tax is not always included in the total hotel bill, so you need to check this nuance when booking so that you are prepared for additional costs when checking out. The amount of the tax varies from city to city and may depend on the level of the hotel. Usually, it is about 7.5 euros.

● Croatia - the fee is relatively low compared to other countries and especially out of season. Usually, tourists will need to pay about 1.5 euros per night.

● France - the amount of tax depends on the level and category of the hotel and ranges from 0.20 to 4 euros per person per night.

● Germany - usually, the tax is added to the hotel bill and amounts to about 5%. However, in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin, there are additional fees for "beds" and "culture".

● Greece - a fee is also required for each night in the hotel and ranges from 0.5 to 4 euros.

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● Hungary - the amount of tax depends on the level of the hotel, as tourists have to pay 4% of the room rate for each night.

● Italy - the amount of tax depends on the city and hotel level, and usually ranges from 3 to 7 euros per night, but in some cities you will have to pay more.

● The Netherlands - the tax applies not only to hotels, but also to campsites, apartments, and even private houses for rent. Usually, the amount of the tax is 7% of the cost of living. In addition, the capital of the Netherlands has a tax on land and water transport for tourists.

● Portugal - the amount of the tax depends on the municipality and ranges from 1 to 3 euros. It is also important to note that the highest taxes are provided for in the peak months - from April to October, and in the off-season they are lower, usually by half.

● Slovenia - the tax depends on the popularity of the city and the level of the hotel; in the most touristy locations, the amount of the fee is about 3 euros per day.

● Spain - on the Balearic Islands, such as Ibiza or Mallorca, the tax can reach 4 euros per night. In Barcelona, it is currently 2.75 euros, but it will increase in the spring of 2024. In Valencia, the law on tourist tax has not yet entered into force, but it is already known that it will depend on the type of accommodation where the tourist plans to stay.

● Switzerland - the tax is paid separately and is not included in the price of accommodation. If a tourist plans to stay in the country for up to 40 days, the amount of the fee will be about 2.20 euros per night.

● United Kingdom - currently, the tax is only required to be paid in Manchester and amounts to a little more than EUR 1 per night.

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In addition, some countries around the world also charge tourist taxes, and not all of them are related to hotel stays:

● In the United States, different states have different tourist taxes, so when planning a trip, you need to check the information about the city you plan to visit. One of the highest taxes for tourists is in Houston, where 17% is added to the hotel bill. Also, an overnight fee is charged on the Caribbean islands.

● In Indonesia, a tourist tax is provided only on the island of Bali. Thus, tourists have to pay about 9 euros to the local government. The tourists' money goes to the budget, which covers the costs of protecting the local environment and Balinese culture.

● Japan's tax system for tourists involves paying a fee when leaving the country. Usually, it is about 6.5 euros.

● In New Zealand, a fixed amount of the so-called international tax is charged upon arrival of tourists. Currently, this amount is just over 19 euros.

Safety while traveling

Remember that safety and confidence while traveling outside your home country is the key to a good vacation and pleasant experience. Do not neglect your own finances and health and take care of reliable insurance for the duration of your trip.

In order to avoid unpleasant situations and not to risk your own safety, choose reliable insurance companies in advance so that your trip will definitely leave only positive memories. This applies not only to health insurance, but also to car insurance when you go on a trip by car.

We remind you! This fall, Europe is preparing for a wave of airline strikes that could lead to serious inconveniences for passengers. Flight cancellations and public transportation disruptions may become the norm in several European countries. Read more about where strikes are planned in our previous article.

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