New tourist tax comes into force in Barcelona

The new tourist tax comes into force this Wednesday, with increased levvies for visitors staying in Barcelona and Catalonia.

Those staying in the Catalan capital will feel the increase in prices most, with fees increasing from €7.50 to €12 euros per person per night in luxury hotels.

The rise is accentuated by the municipal surcharge that the new law allows, too, as both Barcelona and Catalonia have their own, separate tourist taxes applying.

In the rest of Catalonia, the maximum rate for luxury establishments goes from €3 to €4.50 until 2027.

The measure also contemplates a progressive increase throughout the territory and allocates 25% of the revenue collected to housing.

"In a context of continuous economic and social evolution, it is essential and urgent to adopt measures to respond to the housing emergency and sustainable tourism, and ensure a fair distribution of the tax burden," the decree law approved by parliament states.

Tourist tax increases

In five-star hotels, the total tourist tax increases from €7.50 to €12 per person per night in Barcelona.

In four-star hotels, the rate increases from €5.70 to €8.40 in the city, while in tourist accommodation it increases from €6.25 to €9.50 euros.

In the rest of establishments, the total amount is €7, and in hostels it is €6 euros.

As for cruises, the rate reaches €11 for stays of less than 12 hours and €9 euros if they exceed this time.

Rates to raise further

These rates will not remain fixed, as the regulation also allows the Barcelona City Council to raise the maximum surcharge that it can apply to this rate at the municipal level from €4 to €8.

The Barcelona City Council has already approved the increase of  €1 per year up to the maximum of €8 by 2029, so the tax will continue to grow.

In this way, visitors to luxury hotels will pay a fee of €15 within three years in the city.