Barcelona to double tourist tax and increase surcharge from April

Barcelona will double its overnight tourist tax and increased its visitor surcharge fee from April 1, with taxes varying by the type of establishment.

The move follows a new law being passed by the Catalonian government which will gradually increase tourist taxes in the rest of the region, to double their current rates by 2027.

From April, travellers staying in five-star hotels will pay €7 in tourist tax per night.

Meanwhile, those in four-star hotels will pay €3.40 per night and holiday let guests will pay €4.50 in tourist tax per night

Passengers on cruise ships staying more than 12 hours will pay €4 per night, and those staying less than 12 hours will be charged €6 per night.

These taxes will be added to a nightly surcharge which will go from €4 to €5 from April 1.

The Barcelona surcharge will rise by €1 per year until 2029, reaching a maximum of €8 per night.

The fee increases come as Barcelona has been the site of several overtourism protests in recent years.