The authorities of Venice are considering a significant increase in the tourist tax for visitors coming to the city for just one day. The newly elected mayor, Simone Venturini, proposes to raise the maximum fee from the current 5 euros to 50 euros on days with the highest tourist influx. This is reported by The Guardian.
The tourist tax in Venice could rise to 50 euros
According to the mayor, the new tariffs are planned to be applied only during periods of the highest tourist influx.
Currently, the city council is preparing a proposal that must be approved by the central government of Italy. It will allow for higher fees to be established on certain days when the number of advance bookings exceeds designated limits.
During the election campaign, Venturini stated that the amount of the tax could vary from 30 to 50 euros depending on the date of the visit.
How the tourist tax system works now
Venice became the first city in the world to introduce an entry fee for tourists without overnight stays.
The system has developed gradually:
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in 2024, the fee was 5 euros and applied for 29 days;
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in 2025, the number of paid days was increased to 54;
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in 2026, the system already covers 60 days a year.
The fee can be paid online. After payment, tourists receive a QR code that must be shown to controllers at the main entry points to the city.
Despite the fact that the number of tourists has not significantly decreased, Venice received 2.4 million euros in budget revenue during the first year of the program.
Who does not pay the tourist tax
Certain categories of visitors are exempt from paying the tourist tax.
Among them:
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tourists who book accommodation in Venice with overnight stays;
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residents of the Veneto region;
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children under 14 years old.
At the same time, even guests who stay in hotels must register their visit through a special online system.
City officials explain that the main goal of the reform is not only to generate additional budget revenue but also to control tourist flows. Each year, over 100 million euros is spent on maintaining the infrastructure and historical heritage of Venice.
It is worth noting that the cheapest city in Europe for recreation in 2026 has been named.