Tourism

On 1st October, the municipal surcharge on the tourist tax will increase from €3.25 to €4. This will apply to all categories of tourist establishments and is part of a tourism management strategy aimed at financing the city’s public services most impacted by tourism activity.

From 1st October, everyone visiting Barcelona will need to pay a municipal tourist surcharge of €4 per person per night, the maximum legally permitted under the regulations. The increase from €3.25 to €4 was provisionally approved at the municipal council in late July.

This measure is part of the municipal tourism management strategy. The City Council estimates that the rate hike will generate an additional €20 million in annual revenue, which will be used to finance the city’s public services most susceptible to the pressure of tourism. As a result, the tourism sector becomes the third most significant source of income for municipal finances.

Tourism Management for Social Return

This increase in revenue will enhance the social return of tourism and fund essential city services such as cleaning, security, public lighting, and transport, as visitors make intensive use of certain public services in Barcelona.

It will also help finance the Plan for High Affluence Spaces (EGA), aimed at managing the city’s most congested areas. Additionally, it seeks to improve coexistence between local residents and visitors through measures such as increasing the number of civic agents, enhancing public spaces, managing tourist flows, and promoting local commerce in these areas.

Finally, part of the revenue from this surcharge will be allocated to hosting fairs and conferences that help diversify the city’s economy.