For travellers heading to some of the world’s most sought-after holiday spots, tourist taxes can be one of the more unexpected additions to the final bill.
Whether charged as a one-time entry fee or added to accommodation costs each night, these extra levies can significantly increase the overall cost of a getaway.
In recent months, several major tourism destinations have introduced new charges or increased existing fees as they grapple with rising visitor numbers in already crowded locations.
Barcelona, for example, doubled its tourist tax this year, with hotel guests now paying between €10 and €15 (£9-£13) per night. Japan, meanwhile, has raised its visitor-related fees by a striking 400 per cent — the country’s first such increase in half a century.
So where else are travellers likely to face steep tourist charges? Here, the Daily Mail looks at some of the destinations around the world where visitor taxes and fees are among the highest.
Japan
Japan’s increased tourist-related fees are due to take effect next month.
According to the BBC, tourist visa fees for foreign visitors to Japan are set to rise fivefold.
From July 1, the cost of a single-entry visa will increase from 3,000¥ (£14) to 15,000¥ (£70).
Meanwhile, multi-entry visas will now cost 30,000¥ (£140), up from 6,000¥ (£28).
The changes ‘reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations’, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters last week.
‘We do not anticipate that it will have an immediate impact on inbound tourism,’ he added.
Netherlands
Next up is the Netherlands, with Amsterdam experiencing high tourist taxes.
Tourists heading to check out the vibrant nightlife, colourful architecture and historic museums of Amsterdam are expected to pay 12.5 per cent extra on top of the cost of their hotel room.
Called ‘Toeristenbelasting’, it’s one of the highest visitor fees in Europe, and was increased from seven per cent, plus €3 (£2.60) per person, in 2024.
The tax applies to hotels, B&Bs, campsites and holiday lets.
Meanwhile, cruise-goers pay a different day-tripper tax of €14.50 (£12.50) per person.
Paris, France
The City of Love – and other French spots – have nightly taxes to pay for tourists.
Tourist taxes have been introduced in many hotspots around the world to help manage the high numbers of visitors and bring extra revenue into the area – and France is no exception.
Municipalities across France can charge a taxe de séjour, as well as an additional city tax to any foreign visitors.
The charge, used in popular cities, varies between 65 cents to €15.60 (55p to £13.50) per person, per night, depending on the quality of the accommodation.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona has made headlines recently due to its increased local tourist tax.
Tourists visiting Barcelona face nightly fees of up to €15 (£13) following a significant increase in the local tourist tax, making it one of the highest in Europe.
Ranked Spain’s top tourist destination in 2025, the Catalan city has doubled its tourism tax as part of its efforts to curb overtourism and finance affordable housing for locals.
Under new regulations, which came into force in April, the regional parliament of Catalonia has doubled the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum of €12.50 (£10.91) per night, up from €6.25 (£5.45).
The rise comes ahead of a previously announced plan to ban all short‑term rental accommodation by 2028.
Hotel guests will soon be required to pay between €10-15 (£8.63-£13) per night, up from €5-€7.50 (£4.36-£6.54), depending on the calibre of hotel – with four- and five-star properties anticipated to charge higher rates.
The new fees mean a two-night stay for a couple booked into a four-star hotel – which make up nearly half of all hotels in the city – could cost an extra €46.60 (£40), as solo guests can be charged up to €11.40 (£9.95) per night.
Meanwhile, guests staying at five-star hotels could face fees of up to €15 (£13), while cruise passengers will continue to pay approximately €6 (£5.23).
Barcelona isn’t the only Spanish destination to implement daily fees for visitors.
A new tourist tax is also set to be introduced in Vigo, a bustling port city located in Galicia, from October 2026. Visitors to the city will soon be expected to pay a daily levy depending on their accommodation, as local officials finalise plans to introduce a tourist tax.
Greece
Greece is the next destination on the list, with nightly tourist taxes for accommodation.
The Greek government has introduced a Climate Resilience Tax for anyone visiting Greece.
The mandatory fee is calculated per room, per night, with visitors asked to pay when they check into their accommodation.
Between April and October, travellers are charged between €2-€15 (£1.75-£13) per room, per night depending on the star rating of the hotel.
This is reduced to 50¢-€4 (43p-£3.45) between November and March.
Venice and Rome, Italy
Italy – especially popular destination Venice – has a new daily tourist tax.
Venice has long been a popular destination for holidaymakers to explore, whether during a day trip or a longer stay.
Around 30million holidaymakers visit the Italian city each year and a daily €5 (£4.35) tourist tax for day-trippers was introduced last year to help tackle overtourism.
The charge was brought in as a trial in April and was payable over 54 selected days until July 27.
Officials said that the charge, payable by visitors who arrived for the day between 8.30am and 4pm, was paid by 720,000 holidaymakers, compared to 485,000 last year.
Tourist tax charges exist across Italy, ranging from €1-€10 (86p-£8.63) per person, per night.
New Zealand
Further afield, pricey New Zealand charges a one-off international visitor levy.
New Zealand charges an International Visitor Levy of $100 (£43.35) when tourists apply for a visa or electronic travel authority.
The New Zealand Government website explains: ‘Most people visiting New Zealand for a short period of time must pay the NZD$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
‘The IVL is used to help pay for conservation and tourism infrastructure in New Zealand.
‘Most people entering New Zealand on a temporary basis will need to pay this levy. This includes: people coming for a holiday (including through the working holiday scheme) some student visas, and some short-term work visas.’
Indonesia
Indonesia, and its popular island Bali, also charge foreign tourist taxes.
The popular Indonesian island Bali has charged international tourists IDR 150,000 (£6.80) since February 2024.
The fee applies per person, rather than per person per night, and can be paid on or before arrival at the airport.
Love Bali explains: ‘As a form of support that aims to protect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people, Bali will impose a levy for the international tourist.
‘Efforts and innovations will continue to be made for maintenance of the culture and the natural environment in Bali. There will also continue to be an improvement in the quality of services.’
Bhutan
Finally, Bhutan imposes one of the highest tourist taxes in the world.
Bhutan might offer impressive mountains and landscapes to explore, but the incredible experiences come with the most expensive tourist tax in the world.
Travellers from everywhere except India pay a whopping $100 (£75) per person, per night. Visitors from India are charged INR 1,200 (£9.55) per person, per night.
Those aged between six and 12 years old have a 50 per cent discount and visitors under five years old are exempt.
