One of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations has shown no sign of slowing down in its war against international visitors and has just approved a plan to raise its tourist tax surcharge by €1 (86p) each year until it reaches €8 (£6.90) – double its current rate – in 2029. This means as early as next year, tourists heading to Barcelona will have to pay €5 to explore its iconic streets and buildings.
The surcharge will come in addition to the separate Catalan tourist tax, which varies depending on the type of accommodation and stay. This charge is also expected to increase later this year, up from €7 per night for five-star hotels, meaning some holidaymakers could be facing an eye-watering cost of €15 by 2029, on top of flights and hotel costs. “The more tourists pay, the less residents will have to,” said Esquerra Republicana (ERC) leader Elisenda Alamany after Friday’s (July 25) council session. “Managing tourism is common sense in this city,” Ms Alamany said ahead of the vote, stressing that the debate was not about being for or against Spain’s most important industry, but about shifting perspective.
“Recovering that income allows us to ensure balance and build a successful city,” she added.
Ms Alamany’s party proposed the surcharge increase and the measure passed with support from the ruling Socialists and Barcelona en Comú. Junts abstained while the People’s Party (PP) and Vox voted against.
Deputy Mayor for Economy and Tourism, Jordi Valls, meanwhile, noted that the tourist surcharge has already helped fund key areas such as public transport, safety and climate initiatives.
“The city recognises that tourism is a key part of our economy, but there is consensus that it must be properly managed, and that includes the sector itself,” he said.
The approved proposal also includes plans to create a Tourism Reinvestment Fund in 2026, ringfencing funds for projects that “revert or reduce the impact of tourism and improve daily life for residents in the city neighbourhoods most popular with tourists”.
Home to 1.6 million people, over 11.7 million tourists descended on Barcelona between January and November last year. Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, which are still under construction, received 4.7 million and 4.6 million visitors respectively in 2023.