Many European cities charge a levy on overnight stays. It goes by city tax, tourist tax, visitor tax or tourism levy, and it often is not part of the price you see when you book. For families and longer stays it adds up.
How the charges are worked out
There are three models. A fixed amount per person and night that often depends on the star rating (Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon). A percentage of the room price (Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest). Or a fixed amount per room, as in Athens and Dubai. Some places cap the number of nights, and many exempt children below a certain age.
Key cities at a glance (as of October 2026)
| City | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 12.5% of the price before VAT | Every night, no cap; VAT on stays 21% since 2026 |
| Barcelona | 6 to 12 EUR per person and night | Includes 5 EUR city surcharge since 1 April 2026; max. 7 nights; under 16 exempt |
| Paris | 2.60 to 15.93 EUR per person and night | Since 1 Jan 2026, by star rating; minors exempt |
| Rome | 3 to 10 EUR per person and night | Max. 10 nights; children up to 10 exempt |
| Venice | 1 to 5 EUR per person and night (high season) | Max. 5 nights; day visitors pay a separate 5 to 10 EUR access fee |
| Berlin | 7.5% of the net price | Also applies to business trips since 2024 |
| Vienna | 5% from 1 July 2026 | Previously 3.2%; 8% is set for 1 July 2027 |
| Lisbon | 4 EUR per person and night | Max. 7 nights; under 13 exempt |
| Athens | 0.50 to 15 EUR per room and night | Climate crisis resilience fee, higher in summer; per room |
| Prague | approx. 2 EUR (50 CZK) per person and night | Fixed amount |
| Mallorca | 1 to 4 EUR per person and night (May to October) | Plus 10% VAT on the amount; under 16 exempt |
| Dubai | 7 to 20 AED per room and night | Tourism Dirham, max. 30 nights |
Sources: city administrations and trade media, some values via TheOneToGo and the TripPrice destination pages. Rates change often; your hotel bill is what counts.
Dublin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Stockholm and Warsaw, among others, charge no general city tax.
A worked example
Two adults and one 8-year-old stay four nights in a four-star hotel. In Barcelona the adults pay 2 times 4 times 8.40 EUR, so 67.20 EUR, and the child is free. In Rome it is 2 times 4 times about 7 EUR, about 56 EUR, and a child under 10 is free there too. In Paris it comes to 2 times 4 times 8.45 EUR, 67.60 EUR. In Amsterdam it depends on the price: at 150 EUR net per night it is 4 times 18.75 EUR, so 75 EUR.
Is the tax included in the price?
It varies by booking. Some sites add it to the total, others mention it in a note, and package holidays often leave it out. You then pay at the front desk, in cash or by card. In many countries the invoice has to list it separately.
How to plan properly
- Look in the booking notes for "taxes and fees payable locally" or "city tax".
- Multiply people by nights by the amount, minus child exemptions.
- Compare hotels at the same price: for a family of four a five-star in Rome costs 12 EUR more per night than a four-star through the levy alone (4 times 3 EUR).
- Keep cash or a card ready in case the charge is due on site.
Why these charges exist
Cities justify the levy with the costs visitors cause: cleaning, public transport, security, upkeep of squares and parks. In Barcelona and Amsterdam it is also named as a tool against too many overnight stays. Rates are rising in many places as a result. Barcelona doubled its rate in April 2026, Vienna is raising it in steps, and Paris reset its rates at the start of 2026. If you visited a year ago you cannot rely on the amounts you paid then.
Percentage or fixed amount: which works out cheaper
A fixed amount per person hits groups and families harder, while a percentage of the room price hits expensive rooms most. For a couple in a simple room a percentage model is often cheaper. Take two adults in a room that costs 120 EUR: in Amsterdam 12.5 percent of the net price comes to 15 EUR a night (at 120 EUR net), in Barcelona a four-star stay for two adults comes to 16.80 EUR. So it depends on the room and the number of adults.
More on this: Travel Cashback: Hotels, Flights and Car Rentals on daily cashback.