One of the UK’s most popular cities will introduce a new form of tax from tomorrow, affecting people staying overnight.
From Friday, 24 July, Edinburgh will introduce a Visitor Levy that will apply to overnight accommodation in the city, including hotels, B&Bs, hostels, holiday rentals, and Airbnbs. This will see an additional 5% payment added to the cost of the stay, with the amount calculated depending on the accommodation.
It will not be charged for any additional services, such as parking, meals, or drinks, and will be capped at the first five nights. The 5% visitor levy will be charged at the “same rate every day of the year” for stays from 24 July 2026 onwards, and it’s not just the estimated five million tourists who stay in the city every year that will be impacted.
The City of Edinburgh Council confirmed: “Anyone who is staying in paid, overnight accommodation in Edinburgh needs to pay the levy. This includes tourists, people staying for work or visiting the city for other reasons. UK and Scottish residents are included.”
They further outlined that for anyone staying in paid overnight accommodation in Edinburgh on or after 24 July 2026 and booked it after 1 October 2025, the visitor levy charge may be added to the accommodation cost. However, those who are staying on or after 24 July 2026, but booked and paid for their stay (in part or in full) before 1 October 2025, will not be subject to the levy.
Visitors staying in paid overnight accommodation in one of the following will need to pay the levy:
There are some exemptions for the levy, including for UK residents who receive some disability benefits. Meanwhile, the levy will also not be charged to people staying in paid accommodation that may not have a permanent or safe home, including those who are homeless, who have poor housing conditions, experience domestic abuse or violence, asylum seekers and refugees.
The local council said: “Everyone staying in paid overnight accommodation in Edinburgh must pay the levy, but those covered by exemptions will be able to reclaim it later.”
The city is introducing the Edinburgh Visitor Levy to “sustain, support and develop” various projects across the city. This will include Edinburgh’s public services, programmes and infrastructure, its culture, heritage and events, along with the city’s visitor economy.
The levy is hoped to generate up to £50 million a year by 2029, the council said.For more information on the Edinburgh Visitor Levy, you can visit the local council website.
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