Key facts
- Tourist taxes have been levied in continental Europe for decades.
- Italy reintroduced a national tourist tax in 2011.
- Nightly tourist taxes in Italy typically range from €1 to €10 per person.
- Guests at five-star hotels in Milan pay €12.
- Venice implemented an entrance fee for day-trippers in 2024.
- Rome earned €222.4 million from tourist taxes in 2024.
While a nightly tourist tax may be a new concept for the UK, many European countries have been collecting such levies for decades. These taxes, typically paid upon checkout from accommodation, are often a surprise to tourists and contribute significantly to local economies. Austria was an early adopter, introducing a tax in 1842 for visitors to spa and wellness retreats. France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland followed suit, initially to offset the costs incurred by wealthy visitors on local infrastructure and services. Italy's approach to tourist taxes has evolved over time, with a notable period under Benito Mussolini's fascist regime when the tax was expanded to all tourist destinations. It was temporarily abolished for the 1990 World Cup but was nationally reinstated in 2011, with Rome leading the way. The fees generally range from €1 to €10 per person per night, though luxury accommodations like five-star hotels in Milan can charge up to €12. Venice has also introduced a separate entrance fee for day-trippers since 2024. These overnight levies are substantial revenue generators for popular Italian cities. In 2024, Rome collected €222.4 million, followed by Milan with €109.3 million, Florence with €82.9 million, and Venice with €38.9 million, according to the finance ministry's tracker Siope. While revenues are designated for local services, particularly to manage overtourism and maintain monuments, municipalities facing financial constraints often divert these funds to other expenses. Gianluca De Gaetano, manager of the Rome unit for Federalberghi, noted that municipalities value the fee due to their financial needs, and tourists generally accept the charge, though they may complain if city services do not meet expectations.