Around the World in Tourist Taxes: Where You’ll Pay a Little Extra in 2025 (and Why)

Before you book your next getaway, there’s one little line on your hotel invoice that’s worth understanding – the tourist tax. Also known as an accommodation levy, visitor fee, or sustainability charge, this small add-on helps destinations protect the very magic you’re there to enjoy.

These fees are becoming more common worldwide and vary from a few cents a night to premium daily rates. Here’s a country-by-country look at where you’ll pay extra in 2025 – and what those funds actually support. Note – this information is current as at November 1st 2025.

🇦🇹 Austria

From Vienna’s grand boulevards to the alpine villages of Tyrol, Austria applies a 3 – 5% accommodation tax on hotel stays. Rates vary by province and property type, and are usually added at checkout.

💡 Tip: Expect the line item “Ortstaxe” or “Kurtaxe” on your hotel bill – it’s perfectly normal.

🇧🇹 Bhutan

Bhutan’s famous Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is less a small tax and more a guiding principle – around US $100 per person, per night. It’s designed to promote high-value, low-impact tourism and funds free healthcare, education, and conservation.

💡 Tip: It’s automatically included in your official visa or tour cost.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/bhutan-destination-guide/

🇧🇪 Belgium

Most Belgian cities, including Brussels and Bruges, charge a fixed per-night tourist tax, often €3 – €7 per room.

💡 Tip: Cheaper guesthouses may include it upfront; high-end hotels often charge separately at check-out.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/belgium-destination-guide/

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

A modest overnight stay tax applies across Bulgaria’s resorts and cities, usually under €1.50 per person, per night.

💡 Tip: It helps maintain infrastructure in the Black Sea and mountain regions.

🇭🇷 Croatia

Expect to pay €0.50 – €2 per person, per night depending on the region and season. Coastal areas like Dubrovnik have higher summer rates.

💡 Tip: Locals call it the boravišna pristojba – the “sojourn tax.”

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/croatia-destination-guide/

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

Prague and other municipalities apply small per-night levies, generally under €2, collected directly by hotels.

💡 Tip: Usually cash-only in smaller guesthouses.

🇫🇷 France

The taxe de séjour is standard across France, ranging from €0.20 – €4 per night, depending on city and star rating. Paris introduced updated rates for 2025 to support public maintenance.

💡 Tip: Check if your Airbnb includes it – some hosts collect it separately.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/france-destination-guide/

🇩🇪 Germany

Known as the “Culture and Tourism Tax”, this applies in cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, usually 5% of the room rate.

💡 Tip: Business travellers are sometimes exempt – handy if you’re mixing work and play.

🇬🇷 Greece

Greece’s new “Climate Resilience Fee” (from 2024) ranges from €1.50 to €10 per night, depending on accommodation type and season.

💡 Tip: It’s included in your room bill – all you need to do is enjoy that Santorini sunset.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/greece-destination-guide/

🇭🇺 Hungary

Budapest applies a 4% city tax on the room price to fund cultural preservation.

💡 Tip: Some hostels include it in the nightly rate; others charge separately.

🇮🇩 Indonesia (Bali)

All foreign visitors to Bali pay a 150,000 IDR (~ US $10) tourism levy. The funds go toward cultural preservation and environmental protection.

💡 Tip: Pay it online before you fly – it’s quick and avoids airport queues.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/bali-destination-guide/

🇮🇹 Italy

Italy’s famous city and regional tourist taxes range between €1 – €7 per person, per night, varying by destination and hotel category. Venice will soon add a day-tripper entry fee too.

💡 Tip: Each city charges separately, so budget extra if you’re touring multiple stops.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/italy-destination-guide/

🇱🇻 Latvia

Riga introduced a €1 per person, per night municipal tax in 2023, with other cities expected to follow.

💡 Tip: It’s automatically added to hotel bills.

🇲🇾 Malaysia

A Tourism Tax of RM 10 per room per night applies to all foreign guests in hotels across the country.

💡 Tip: It’s charged per room, not per person, so families aren’t hit too hard.

🇲🇻 Maldives

Visitors pay the Green Tax – US $6 per person, per night at resorts or liveaboards, and US $3 at local guesthouses.

💡 Tip: Funds are used for waste management and environmental protection on the islands.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/maldives-destination-guide/

🇲🇽 Mexico

In popular regions like Quintana Roo (Cancún, Tulum), travellers pay a small environmental fee – roughly US $10 per visit.

💡 Tip: Some hotels let you pay online before check-in to speed up the process.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/mexico-destination-guide/

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Amsterdam has one of Europe’s highest tourist taxes – 12.5% of the room rate, plus a small per-person charge for cruise visitors.

💡 Tip: Smaller Dutch cities like Utrecht and Rotterdam charge lower percentages.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) costs NZ $35 and is paid alongside your electronic travel authorisation.

💡 Tip: You’ll only pay it once per trip, regardless of how long you stay.

🇳🇴 Norway

Norway plans to launch a national tourist tax from 2026, beginning with pilot programs in popular fjord regions.

💡 Tip: It’s aimed at maintaining scenic roads and reducing cruise congestion.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/norway-destination-guide/

🇵🇹 Portugal

Cities such as Lisbon and Porto charge around €2 per person, per night, capped at seven nights.

💡 Tip: Coastal towns like Cascais are expected to join the list soon.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/portugal-destination-guide/

🇸🇮 Slovenia

A nightly tourist and promotion tax applies nationwide, generally €1.50 – €3 per person, per night, depending on location and season.

💡 Tip: Lake Bled and Ljubljana have slightly higher rates.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/slovenia-destination-guide/

🇪🇸 Spain

Spain’s regional levies vary: Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia all charge €1 – €4 per person, per night.

💡 Tip: The funds support local heritage preservation and environmental sustainability.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/spain-destination-guide/

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Most cantons collect a small per-night tourist tax (CHF 2 – 5), often bundled into your hotel’s “resort fee.”

💡 Tip: Many mountain towns include local transport passes in exchange – a win-win.

🇹🇭 Thailand

Thailand is expected to introduce a 300 Baht (~ US $8) entry tax for foreign arrivals by late 2025.

💡 Tip: It’ll likely be embedded in your airfare to keep things seamless.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/thailand-destination-guide/

🇬🇧 United Kingdom (Scotland)

Scotland’s Visitor Levy will debut in Edinburgh in July 2026, at roughly 5% of accommodation cost.

💡 Tip: Other UK cities are watching closely – expect more to follow.

See more at https://bestintravelgroup.com/scotland-destination-guide/

🇺🇸 United States

Most American cities and states have their own lodging or occupancy taxes, from 5 – 15%.

💡 Tip: They’re usually included in your booking total – no surprises on arrival.

💬 Why These Taxes Exist

Tourist levies help destinations preserve culture, maintain public spaces, and manage overtourism. Your few extra euros or dollars often go directly toward keeping beaches clean, temples restored, and national parks accessible.

In short – a small price to pay for keeping the world wonderful. 🌏✨

✈️ The Bottom Line

Tourist taxes aren’t meant to spoil the fun – they’re there to sustain it. So before your next adventure, check if your destination charges one and whether it’s included in your room rate.