This European capital to introduce a tourist tax too: how much you will have to pay starting next year

In 2026, Edinburgh will officially introduce a tourist tax, which will be the first such case in Scotland. This decision was made after the Scottish Parliament passed a law that allows local authorities to impose taxes on visitors.

The tax, called the visitor levy, will require guests of hotels, hostels and rental properties, including Airbnb, to pay a fee. It will be 5% of the cost of accommodation per night and will be valid for a maximum of seven consecutive days.

According to preliminary estimates, this will allow the city budget to raise about 50 million pounds (2 billion 557 million hryvnias) annually, the Guardian reports.

The funds are expected to be used to improve urban infrastructure, develop affordable housing, preserve culture and heritage, and support the arts. In particular, 35% of revenues are planned to be invested in art projects. The tourist tax will come into effect on July 24, 2026, but will only be payable for bookings made after May 1, 2025.

The decision of the city council caused a mixed reaction. Some tour operators have expressed concern that the additional costs could make Edinburgh less attractive to travelers, especially as domestic bookings decline due to the UK cost of living crisis. Mark Crothall, director of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), believes that this issue will remain controversial.

At the same time, the head of the city council, Cammy Day, assures that the tax will not be a serious obstacle for tourists. "I can’t see a few pounds putting somebody off visiting the city. If you can afford to spend hundreds of pounds on a hotel room, you can afford a few pounds to support the city that you are visiting," he said.

Edinburgh's decision supports the trend in other European tourist cities, such as Amsterdam, where the tax reaches 12.5%. The Scottish Highlands region, which receives more than six million tourists annually, is also considering a similar tax. If implemented, it could bring in up to £10 million a year to improve local infrastructure.

Edinburgh was the first in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax, but its experience can be an example for other regions of the country.

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