United Kingdom Moves With Spain in Increasing Tourist Taxes for 2027 as Hotels and Holiday Rentals Become More Expensive

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Spain and the UK are set to introduce higher tourist taxes in 2027 as visitors to some of Europe’s most popular destinations face additional charges on accommodation. New taxes and higher rates are set to come in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Barcelona, Cardiff and several Scottish destinations, impacting the cost of hotels, holiday apartments, campsites and other forms of overnight accommodation. As the changes come into place, holidaymakers will have to pay more attention to local taxation rules when planning their breaks as the additional funds will help fund tourism infrastructure, protect cultural heritage and address the impact tourism can have on local destinations.

Spain Expands Tourist Taxes as More Destinations Introduce Accommodation Charges

Spain’s tourist tax system is expected to expand further in 2027 as regional governments and municipalities introduce new charges or increase existing rates. The additional costs will vary considerably depending on the destination, type of accommodation and duration of the visit.

Visitor levies are already collected in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Galician cities of Vigo, A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela. These charges are generally applied to overnight accommodation and are calculated according to locally established rules.

The Basque Country is expected to join these destinations from 1 January 2027, while Catalonia is preparing to increase its existing rates in April.

Unlike a single nationwide charge, Spain’s tourist taxes are determined through regional and municipal arrangements. Consequently, travellers staying in different parts of the country may face substantially different accommodation bills.

Basque Country Tourist Tax to Begin in January 2027 With Rates Based on Hotel Categories

A new Basque Country tourist tax is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027, introducing different rates for rural accommodation, hotels, guesthouses, tourist apartments, campsites and cruise ships.

Under the proposed structure outlined in the report information, the amount payable will depend on the accommodation category and the municipality in which the visitor stays.

Rural accommodation will be subject to charges ranging from €0.50 to €1.26 per night. One-star hotels, guesthouses, hostels and campsites will attract rates between €0.75 and €1.50.

Higher-rated accommodation will carry progressively larger charges.

The new system will create different cost implications for budget travellers and guests choosing premium accommodation.

Municipal Surcharges Could Push Basque Country Tourist Taxes to €7.50 Per Night

Additional flexibility will be provided to municipalities under the Basque Country’s tourist tax arrangements.

Municipalities with more than 750 accommodation places will be permitted to impose a surcharge of up to 50% on the applicable rate.

As a result, the highest standard charge of €5 could rise to €7.50 per night in locations where the maximum surcharge is introduced.

Smaller destinations will be treated differently. Towns with 25 accommodation places or fewer will be allowed to waive the levy entirely.

This arrangement means that accommodation costs may vary between neighbouring municipalities, even when similar hotel categories are selected.

Travellers planning multi-destination holidays across the Basque Country will therefore need to check the specific charges imposed at each overnight stop.

Catalonia Tourist Tax Increases From April 2027 Will Affect Hotels and Holiday Apartments

Catalonia’s tourist tax is scheduled to increase from April 2027, affecting several accommodation categories across the region.

The revised regional rates will place higher charges on luxury accommodation, while lower rates will continue to apply to campsites, youth hostels and other budget establishments.

Five-star hotels, luxury hotels and luxury campsites will carry a charge of €6 per night. Tourist apartments will be subject to a rate of €2.50, while four-star hotels will attract €2.40.

Campsites and other establishments will be charged €1.20, and youth hostels will carry a rate of €1.

Cruise passengers will face charges ranging from €4 to €6, depending on the applicable category.

Several municipalities have also approved additional surcharges, including Castelldefels, Esplugues, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, El Prat de Llobregat, Sabadell, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sant Just Desvern.

These municipal additions could further increase the final accommodation tax payable by visitors.

Barcelona Tourist Tax Surcharge Set to Rise Again in 2027 and 2028

Travellers booking accommodation in Barcelona will need to consider both the applicable base tourist tax and the city’s additional municipal surcharge.

According to the reports, Barcelona’s base rates range between €1 and €7, depending on the accommodation category.

A further municipal surcharge is scheduled to increase from €5 to €6 in April 2027, followed by another increase to €7 in April 2028.

These charges are applied in addition to the relevant base rate rather than replacing it.

Consequently, visitors choosing hotels and holiday accommodation in Barcelona could encounter considerably higher tourism-related charges than those staying in destinations where only a standard regional levy is imposed.

For travellers planning city breaks, particularly those involving several overnight stays, checking the applicable combined rate will become an important part of holiday budgeting.

Cardiff Introduces Tourist Tax From April 2027 Across Hotels and Short-Term Rentals

In the United Kingdom, Cardiff is preparing to introduce a new visitor accommodation levy from 1 April 2027.

The proposed Cardiff tourist tax will apply to hotels, guesthouses, cottages, self-catering properties and certain other accommodation categories.

For hotels and comparable accommodation, the charge will be £1.30 per person per night, increasing to £1.56 where 20% VAT applies.

A lower rate will be imposed on campsite pitches and shared accommodation, including hostels and student accommodation. These stays will carry a charge of £0.75 per person per night, or £0.90 including VAT.

Where accommodation providers are registered for VAT, the treatment of the levy can affect the final amount charged to guests.

The new arrangements will make Cardiff another UK destination where an additional overnight accommodation cost must be considered.

Scotland Tourist Taxes to Expand Across Glasgow Aberdeen Stirling and West Dunbartonshire

Several Scottish destinations are also preparing to introduce percentage-based visitor levies in 2027.

Unlike Cardiff’s fixed nightly charges, the Scottish levies described in the information will be calculated as a percentage of the eligible accommodation cost.

Glasgow will introduce a 5% levy from January 2027, while Aberdeen will implement a higher rate of 7% from April.

Stirling will follow with a 3% charge in June 2027, and West Dunbartonshire will introduce a 5% levy in July.

The charges will be calculated on eligible accommodation costs before VAT, excluding additional services such as parking, meals, drinks and transport.

The arrangements cover accommodation including hotels, holiday rentals, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and boats where they fall within the relevant rules.

Higher Tourist Taxes Will Change How Travellers Budget for European Holidays

The expanding range of 2027 tourist taxes in Spain and the UK will make accommodation pricing an increasingly important consideration for international travellers.

In some destinations, charges will be determined by hotel classification. Elsewhere, they will be calculated according to the number of guests, overnight stays or accommodation price.

A couple spending five nights in a standard Cardiff hotel, for example, would face a visitor levy of £13 before VAT, or £15.60 with 20% VAT applied, based on the reports.

For a Scottish hotel stay costing £500 before VAT, a 5% levy would add £25, assuming the full amount is eligible for taxation.

These examples illustrate why travellers comparing hotel prices should also examine taxes that may be collected separately from advertised room rates.

Tourist Tax Revenue Is Intended to Support Infrastructure and Heritage Protection

The introduction and expansion of tourist taxes reflects a broader effort to generate funding from overnight visitor activity.

Across the destinations covered, tourism-related revenue is intended to contribute towards public infrastructure, destination management and cultural heritage protection.

Popular tourism centres often require investment in facilities and services used by both residents and visitors. Accommodation levies provide authorities with an additional revenue mechanism linked to tourism activity.

However, the amount collected and the way revenue is allocated will depend on the individual jurisdiction’s regulations.

For the tourism industry, the changes will also increase the importance of clear pricing information. Accommodation providers will need to communicate applicable charges so that travellers understand the final cost of their bookings.

What Travellers Should Know Before Booking Spain and UK Holidays in 2027

As Spain and the United Kingdom increase tourist taxes in 2027, the final price of an overnight stay will increasingly depend on local regulations rather than the advertised accommodation rate alone.

Holidaymakers are advised to check whether tourist taxes are included in their booking total, whether additional municipal surcharges apply and how the charges are calculated.

Special attention should be given to Barcelona, the Basque Country, Cardiff, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire, where new or revised arrangements are scheduled.

Although the increases may be relatively small for short stays, they could become more significant for longer breaks or multiple destinations.

In reality, the changes mean that hotel rates, holiday rental prices and tourist taxes will have to be taken all into account when planning European trips in 2027. Information on accommodation charges will help tourists compare destinations and work out more accurate holiday budgets.