Barcelona Doubles Tourist Tax Rates as Part of 2026 Fiscal Reform

The Parliament of Catalonia has enacted legislation that doubles the tourist tax in Barcelona, a measure that took effect earlier this year to address the pressures of high visitor volumes. The tax, officially known as the Tax on Stays in Tourist Establishments (IEET), is now supplemented by a municipal surcharge that the Barcelona City Council has set at five euros per night. This dual-layer tax structure is part of a long-term strategy to ensure that tourism contributes directly to the maintenance and improvement of the city's infrastructure.

The legislation includes a clear roadmap for future increases, with the municipal surcharge scheduled to rise by one euro annually until it reaches a maximum of eight euros per night in 2029. This aggressive fiscal policy reflects the city's ongoing efforts to mitigate the negative externalities of overtourism. By increasing the cost of stay, the local government aims to shift the tourism profile toward higher-value visitors while generating essential funds for urban projects and public services that support both residents and tourists.

Any traveller staying overnight in tourist accommodation within Barcelona, including hotels, hostels, and licensed holiday apartments, is required to pay the increased tax rates. Exemptions remain limited, and the tax is applied per person, per night.

Makutet anticipates that Barcelona’s tiered tax model will serve as a blueprint for other major European hubs struggling with capacity constraints. We forecast that the cumulative effect of these annual increases will likely lead to a stabilization of visitor numbers in the city center, as the cost of short-term stays becomes increasingly prohibitive for budget-conscious travellers.