Barcelona to double tourist tax

City leaders just announced hikes for stays in hotels and short term rentals, effective next month.

Guests in hotels are impacted the most, with hotel taxes going up to around €12 based on the star rating.

It includes the new increased €5 surcharge, which is a fixed fee.

Vacation rental guests will now pay €4.50 a night up from €2.25 as well as the €5 surcharge.

Cruise guests are spared the increases and will continue paying €6 per night.

Also, Barcelona City Council announced the fixed surcharge will increase by €1 per year through 2029, up to €8 per night.

The move is to generate funds which will be used in part to alleviate the local housing crisis.

The surge in short term rentals across the city has severely impacted local housing affordability, which has been the reason for several anti-tourist protests in recent years.

The city has already announced plans in principle to ban short-term rental properties from 2028.