Traveling around the world is gradually becoming more expensive due to new tourist taxes and fees. Find out which countries and cities will see an increase in the cost of living or entry for tourists in 2026 and how this will affect your travel budget
When planning trips for 2026, travelers should consider not only ticket and accommodation prices, but also additional costs in the form of tourist taxes. As Business Insider reports, more and more cities and countries are introducing new or increasing existing tourist fees to offset the burden on infrastructure and combat overtourism. Analysts have named five destinations where vacations could become significantly more expensive next year.
Edinburgh: Scotland’s first tourist tax
Edinburgh will be the first city in Scotland to officially introduce a tourist tax. Starting July 24, 2026, travelers will pay 5% of the cost of hotel accommodation for the first five nights of their stay.
Local authorities explain the innovation by the need to maintain Edinburgh’s status as one of the world’s leading cultural and historical centers. Every year, the city welcomes millions of tourists, thanks in part to its summer festivals — the Edinburgh International Festival, Festival Fringe, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The new levy is expected to generate up to £50 million per year by 2029, which will be used to develop infrastructure and manage tourist flows more effectively.
Kyoto: increase in accommodation tax
In Japan, from March 1, the tourist tax on accommodation in Kyoto, one of the country’s most popular cities, will increase. The amount of the tax will depend on the cost of a room per night:
● for accommodation cheaper than 6,000 yen (about $38), the tax will remain at 200 yen;
● for rooms in the range of 6,000-20,000 yen, the fee will increase to 400 yen;
● for rooms costing 50,000-100,000 yen, the tax will increase from 1,000 to 4,000 yen;
● for rooms costing more than 100,000 yen, the tax will increase to 10,000 yen.
The city authorities predict that the updated tax will bring in about 12.6 billion yen per year, which they plan to invest in city services and the preservation of historical heritage.
Barcelona: double the tax for luxury accommodation
Barcelona, which has been facing protests against mass tourism for several years, is preparing to increase the tourist tax for expensive accommodation.
Currently, tourists staying in five-star hotels and luxury apartments pay €3.50 per night. According to Catalonia’s updated rules, this tax is planned to be increased to €7 per night.
The changes were supposed to take effect in 2025, but they have been postponed until at least April 2026. The decision was made against the backdrop of rising living costs and anti-mass tourism sentiments, which intensified in the summer of 2024–2025.
Thailand: tourist tax for entry into the country
Thailand is preparing to introduce an entry tourist tax, which has been under discussion for several years.
Back in 2023, the government approved the fee in principle:
● 300 baht (about $10) for tourists arriving by plane;
● 150 baht for those entering by land or sea.
The launch of the tax has been repeatedly postponed due to a decline in tourist traffic. According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of tourists had fallen by 7.25% compared to last year by December 21. At the same time, according to EuroNews, the tax is now expected to be introduced in mid-2026.
Norway: new tax on tourist accommodation
From 2026, a law will come into force in Norway allowing municipalities to introduce a 3% tax on tourist accommodation. It will apply to both hotel stays and cruise passengers.
Importantly, the tax will not be mandatory for the entire country — each city or community will have to make its own decision. Among the locations that have already agreed to its introduction are the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø, popular destinations for viewing the northern lights.
Against this backdrop, Norway experienced a tourism boom in 2025: there were about 17.7 million overnight stays during the summer, which was a record.
Why tourism taxes are increasing
As Business Insider notes, tourism fees are increasingly being used as a tool to:
● combat tourist oversaturation;
● finance local services and infrastructure;
● compensate for the burden on popular locations.
Taxes can be levied in various formats — as an entry fee or as a surcharge on the cost of accommodation — but for travelers, this means one thing: travel budgets for 2026 should be planned more carefully.
Important to remember: for Ukrainians planning to travel around Europe in their own car, it is important to consider not only tourist taxes but also mandatory insurance requirements. Before traveling abroad, you must obtain a Green Card — international car insurance that is valid in EU countries and covers the driver’s civil liability. You can obtain a Green Card quickly and online at Visit Ukraine — this allows you to prepare for your trip in advance and avoid unnecessary risks at the border and while traveling abroad.