Venice to Expand Entry Fee in 2026 to Curb Overtourism and Enhance Tourist Experience

Published on September 18, 2025

Venice is planning to widen its day-visitor entry fee in 2026, in an effort to manage growing tourist numbers and protect the city’s fragile infrastructure. The Access Fee, which was trialled two years ago, will apply on 60 days in 2026, up from 54 days in 2025 and double the number of days in 2024 when the measure first appeared. The hours in which visitors must pay will remain from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and many details—especially the price—are still to be set by the city council. Exemptions will continue to cover overnight guests, residents, students, people with disabilities, and others.

The expanded system will run from early April through late July on weekends and selected dates. With official backing, this initiative is intended to smooth out tourist flow, preserve Venice’s quality of life for locals, and provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors. It is part of a larger effort to ensure sustainable tourism and safeguard the lagoon city’s heritage.

What Has Changed for 2026

Venice will activate the entry fee on 60 days in 2026, which is a growth from 54 days in the previous year. The schedule will cover weekends including Friday, and specific dates between 3 April and 26 July. Time windows stay the same: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The amount to be charged has not yet been confirmed. In earlier years, visitors who booked at least four days ahead were charged €5, while late bookers paid €10. The city council has left open whether those rates will be retained or modified.

Who Pays and Who Is Exempt

The fee applies to day-visitors aged 14 and older who are not residents of the city and who are not staying overnight. Key exemptions include people staying in Venice overnight, residents of the Veneto region, university students enrolled in Venice, people with disabilities plus carers, and visitors to relatives living in the city. Failure to pay when required risks fines; previous versions of the scheme imposed penalties in the range of dozens to hundreds of euros.

Verified Background & Data Insights

The official Venice website confirms that the access fee scheme started with a pilot in 2024 covering 29 busy days. In 2025 it was expanded to 54 days between April and July. The current version of the policy applies between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on those dates. In 2025, the scheme generated over €5 million in entry fees from about 720,000 day-visitors. These figures and features are part of the framework that Venice is now building on for 2026.

Tourism Perspectives: What This Means for Visitors

By expanding the number of fee days, Venice aims not just to limit visitor peaks but also to encourage tourists to explore outside the busiest periods. This could encourage longer stays, more bookings in off-peak times, and spread economic benefits more evenly among enterprises such as eateries, tour operators, lodging in less central areas. The fee system may also improve visitor comfort—less crowding, shorter queues, better service. For residents, improved livability can strengthen community support for tourism. Over time, these changes may help Venice maintain both its world heritage status and its appeal as a magical destination rather than a burdened one.

Heritage Under Pressure: Why Venice Needs This Balance

Venice’s decision to widen the day-tripper entry fee in 2026 reflects growing concern over overtourism and the need to protect both city life and visitor experience. While key details like pricing remain open, the longer schedule and stable hours show local authorities are serious about better managing flows and balancing tourism with livability. If successful, the model could provide a path forward for other heritage cities facing similar pressure—offering a more sustainable, respectful, and fulfilling travel experience for all.