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A "pillow tax" for tourists is introduced in the capital

Today, the Vilnius City Council started considering the so-called tourist fee. It is estimated that after the introduction of this toll, the budget of the capital city should be replenished by about 2019 million per year from 2. euros annually, and the collected funds would be used to increase the city's international competitiveness and improve the tourism infrastructure.

This practice is already applied in many European and five Lithuanian cities. Tourist tax is collected in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome and many other cities in 17 European countries. In some cities, this fee reaches up to 7 EUR. In Lithuania, a fee for overnight stays in hotels is currently collected in five Lithuanian cities: Druskininkai (1 EUR), Palanga (1 EUR), Biršton (1 EUR), in Trakai (1 EUR) and Beautiful (0,5 EUR; from 2019 – 1 EUR).

In Vilnius, a toll of one euro is proposed to be introduced from 2018. July 1 Considering the growth dynamics of the number of tourists in the city of Vilnius, already in 2019 it is expected that approximately 2,28 million will be collected annually from the tourist tax to the budget of the city of Vilnius. Eur.  

It is planned that the funds collected from the tourist fee will be used for the development of tourism infrastructure in Vilnius and attracting tourists to the city. 

According to Inga Romanovskienė, head of Vilnikau's tourism and business development agency "Go Vilnius", taking into account the growing interest in the city of Vilnius and the constantly increasing number of business and leisure tourists, there is a need for active and consistent international marketing of the city in the field of tourism, which would help to more effectively expand flight routes and improve Vilnius the city's tourism infrastructure, thus promoting the international competitiveness of the city of Vilnius.  

"This would be a rational solution that would allow the city to implement projects that strengthen the city's competitiveness in the region, increase the attractiveness of the city of Vilnius and improve the tourism infrastructure, as well as the creation of new direct flights to Vilnius," says I. Romanovskienė.  

According to Evalda Šiškauskienė, president of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Vilnius is already ripe for a tourist tax solution. According to her, city marketing and promotion of tourism to Vilnius as the main gate of the state is necessary, and international competition is very intense.

"Currently, the budget allocated to the city's marketing and communication abroad is insufficient. Businesses are well aware of the benefits of such a fee. This is probably the first time in ten years that a business has agreed in principle to the introduction of a toll. However, they agree on the condition that a sufficient transitional period will be provided so that accommodation establishments can adapt to the changes, and the collected funds will be allocated to the city's marketing and tourism promotion," said E. Šiškauskienė.

The project "On the local fee for use" was submitted to the Vilnius City Council Vilnius city municipalities public tourism and recreation infrastructure" was prepared taking into account the proposals of business representatives.  

Who will pay the "pillow tax"?

With the approval of the municipal council, the fee would be calculated based on the number of overnight stays of city guests. From 2018 In July, the proposed amount of the fee per person for one overnight stay is EUR 1. In the first year, it is planned to exempt tourist groups booking at least 10 rooms from the fee, discounts are also provided for the sick, children under 18, the disabled and those who intend to stay in Vilnius for a month or longer.

The local tax is calculated from the number of nights provided to the recipients of the accommodation service. During the six months of this year, almost 0,5 million people stayed in Vilnius accommodation facilities. tourists, city guests spent almost 930 thousand nights  

Based on the growth dynamics of the number of tourists in Vilnius in 2013-2016. and the growth trends of nights spent in Vilnius, it is planned that 2019 million can be expected in 1,27. tourists and 2,28 million nights spent It is likely that the introduction of a tourist tax of one euro per night will raise about 2019 million euros in 2,28. Euros.

Directions for use of toll

The project also provides directions for the use of the toll. The planning of the use of the toll will take place for the coming year based on forecasts of the amount of the planned toll collected according to the proposed directions:

- increasing the awareness of the city;

– international accessibility of the city (flight development program);

– promotion of conference tourism;

– increasing the tourist attractiveness of Vilnius (infrastructural solutions).  

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How do I get a refund if I'm exempt from the tourist tax in Lithuania?

Certain guests staying in Lithuania may be exempt from the tourist tax or qualify for a reduced rate.

Vilnius, Lithuania 

In Vilnius, this exemption may include guests who are:

• Patients for whom the medical rehabilitation services are paid from the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund
• Persons under 18 years old, or older school pupils who can provide a valid certificate
• Disabled persons for whom a 0-40% working capacity has been established

To find out if you qualify for a refund or a reduction, visit the tourist tax website for the municipality where you’re staying, or contact their tax office.

If you’ve booked a stay on Airbnb in one of the locations in Vilnius where we automatically collect the tourism tax and you determine that you're due a refund, you can request a refund directly from the municipality where your accommodation is located.

Related articles

How do i get a refund if i’m exempt from the tourist tax in germany, how do i get a refund if i’m exempt from the tourist tax in portugal, how do i get a refund if i'm exempt from the tourist tax in switzerland.

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A local’s guide to Vilnius, Lithuania: 10 top tips

‘Vilnius, the G-spot of Europe: Nobody knows where it is, but when you find it, it’s amazing’ … a bold claim from a recent tourist ad that went viral

T he poster produced by two students referring to Lithuania’s capital as Europe’s G-spot really sums the city up: it is not where you thought it was. It is not in eastern Europe, not even in central Europe, but the capital of a Baltic state in northern Europe.

Founded in 1323 by grand duke Gediminas, who attracted Jewish and German tradesmen and merchants with generous tax exemptions, for centuries it became a destination for those fleeing religious persecution (there was even a Scottish Calvinist community in Vilnius) or tough trade guild regulations. The city’s coat of arms features Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travellers.

The same liberal attitude continued through the centuries, and today the city still has its Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Ruthenian Orthodox quarters. For two centuries from 1569, it was the co-capital of what was then Europe’s biggest empire – the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Later, Vilnius withstood Russian tsarist and Soviet occupation, and in 1991 gained its freedom and independence.

Užupis Republic

On 1 April 1997, the Užupis district (the name means “over the river”) declared itself a separate republic, forming a bohemian commune with a president, foreign ministry and even a constitution. During Soviet times, Užupis Street was called the Lane of Death for its crime rate, but it’s safe now, and boasts galleries, boutiques and restaurants. On Thursdays, nearby Tymo Turgus food market is the destination for organic produce: stalls sell homemade cheeses and juniper smoked meats, honey (including linden, clover and forest flowers), pickles, jams and preserves (sea buckthorn and rosehip are local specialities), herbal teas, berries and vegetables. There’s also plenty of streetfood – artisanal burgers and bagels, meat on skewers and pastries – to enjoy to the sound of local DJs. Stop in at Špunka (Užupio g 9), a cosy pub with a wide selection of local beers. 10am-3.30pm, tymoturgelis.lt

National Gallery

Vilnians love the Nacionalinė Dailės Galerija, simply called NDG, across the River Neris from the centre. What was the Museum of Revolution has been revamped into a contemporary art gallery. The permanent exhibitions are contemporary and of 20th-century Lithuanian art (though you won’t see our symbolists – the best of them are currently are on loan to Paris’s Musée d’Orsay for its Wild Souls: Symbolism in the Baltic States show). The bookstore is fantastic, and the restaurant has a river view and a European menu that changes weekly. Konstitucijos prospektas 22, ndg.lt

Stikliai Hotel

The Stikliai (Glassblowers) hotel was the first five-star hotel in Vilnius to open after independence in 1990. Yet it is relatively affordable, with rooms from €144. It’s in the former Jewish quarter, with easy access to all the main sights. There is a pool in the basement, a closed atrium with greenery and a comfortable conservatory which is a locals’ favourite place for a nightcap. Pastry shop “ Ponių laimė ” (Ladies’ Joy) across the street belongs to the same owners and all the fruits served in the hotel come from their eco-farm in Dubingiai, 50km north of the city. More affordable is the Amberton Hotel , which overlooks Cathedral Square and has doubles from €98 B&B. stikliaihotel.lt

Restaurants

Most good restaurants in the city are determined to use only locally sourced organic produce, taking inspiration from the seasons and adding a contemporary twist to traditional Lithuanian recipes. Publication of the annual list of Lithuania’s 30 best restaurants is hotly anticipated. Most restaurants in the top 30 are reasonable, with mains from €20. Try the local fish – pike, sturgeon and smoked eel – at places like Dine ; and mushrooms at restaurants such as Gaspar’s or Somm (try anything with boletus). Beetroot is in vogue – from crisps to tartares to ice-creams – and is popular on the menu at Dziaugsmas .

Gate of Dawn

The chapel in the Gate of Dawn in the former city wall hosts our famous Madonna, in radiant gold and silver. Painted by an unknown artist, it was placed over the gates in the 16th century to protect the city from enemies and is said to have miraculous powers. There are copies in Saint Peter’s in Rome, in Paris, Venice and South America. Fortunately, a Soviet plan to demolish the gates in the 1950s to make way for the avenue leading to the station was abandoned. Locals go there to pray, and they continue the tradition of bringing ex votos – silver and gilt hearts, arms and legs, representing body parts that were healed. The walls of the shrine are covered with thousands of them. Aušros Vartų 14, ausrosvartai.lt

St John’s Church

For an overview of the extensive Unesco-listed old town, take the lift (open May-October) up the belltower of St John’s Church and climb the last few steps to the open balcony. There, 60 metres up, you’ll notice German gothic, Italian baroque and French classicist architecture, plus Russian Orthodox domes and the labyrinth of the Jewish quarter, all surrounded by green hills. Several scenes of the BBC’s 2016 adaption of War & Peace were shot within this view. University Street, muziejus.vu.lt

Church of St Peter & Paul

Aristocratic 18th-century Lithuanian travellers were rather unimpressed with London’s St Paul’s Cathedral and noted in their diaries that its interior did not come close to St Peter and Paul’s church in Vilnius. Begun in 1668 it embodies the baroque principle – a balance between control and chaos. There are thousands of sculptures by Giovanni Pietro Perti and his team from Ticino, Switzerland, all in white stucco. Look for the statue of Saint Mary Magdalene in a fashionable dress – it’s said to be a portrait of Perti’s beloved Lithuanian wife, Magdalena. Antakalnio 1, vilniauspetropovilo.lt

Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

At this sobering must-see, visitors can go into the cells, where, between 1958 and 1987, thousands of Lithuanians were detained, interrogated, tortured and executed. Once a courthouse, it became the Gestapo’s Vilnius HQ after the Nazi invasion, and would have played a role in the murder of much of the country’s Jewish population, before the KGB moved in after the USSR retook the Baltic states during 1944. After that, many who entered this building emerged only to be deported to the gulags of Siberia. You will come out enlightened about the reality of the Soviet socialist system. It is one of the best-rated museums by foreign visitors and essential to understanding the recent history of Lithuania. Aukų 2A, genocid.lt/muziejus

Vilnius City Opera

Vilnius is known for its classical musicians and singers – Jascha Heifetz was born and discovered as a prodigy here. The famous mezzosoprano Violeta Urmana is more often on the stage of Milan’s La Scala than at home, but do check the programmes. Directed by a Dalia Ibelhauptaite (wife of British actor and director Dexter Fletcher), the productions are young, ambitious and spectacular , from a half-British team, working with the best of Lithuanian vocal talents, usually heard in Glyndebourne, Covent Garden or Salzburg. Best of all, tickets start from €20. Congress Palace, Vilniaus 6, on Facebook

Botanical garden

Vilnius University is home to a venerable botanical garden, founded in 1781 by French professor Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert and later expanded by James Cook’s companion, the botanist Georg Forster. Since 1974 it has been at Kairėnai, on the outskirts of Vilnius, in the woods of a former country manor. May sees an amazing variety of lilacs in bloom, the rhododendron collection is impressive in June, and there are also Japanese gardens. There’s also horse riding – €10-€15 for an hour’s ride, carriage rides from €30 and a barbecue area with picnic tables. Entry €1.5o, botanikos-sodas.vu.lt

Getting there Norwegian and airBaltic fly to Vilnius from Gatwick, Wizz Air flies from Belfast, Doncaster/Sheffield and Luton, and Ryanair from six UK airports.

Best time to go 2018 is the centenary of the restored state of Lithuania, which will be celebrated at the Centenary Song Festival (30 June-6 July), with a focus on traditional music, crafts and folklore, culminating in a choir of 20,000 singers and 6,000 dancers performing at Vingis Park. The Christopher Summer Festival (12 July-28 August) features classical, jazz and pop.

Exchange rate £1 = €1.13 Beer in a pub: around €3.25 for half litre

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Vilnius (Lithuania) will increase the tourist tax to 2 euros per day from 1 January.

The collected money will be used to increase the attractiveness of the capital.

Currency exchange rate EUR to USD

Updated 19.05.2024, lithuania: country’s borders status.

Borders are open. Currently there are no imposed COVID-related restrictions.

National holidays in Lithuania in 2024

Public holidays and festivals in Lithuania in 2024. Non-working days:

• January 1, Monday: New Year (Naujieji metai);
• February 16, Friday: The Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania (Lietuvos valstybės atkūrimo diena);
• March 11, Monday: Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania (Lietuvos nepriklausomybės atkūrimo diena);
• March 31, Sunday: Easter Sunday (Velykos);
• April 1, Monday: Easter Monday (Antroji Velykų diena);
• May 1, Wednesday: International Working Day (Tarptautinė darbo diena);
• June 24, Monday: St. John’s Day (Joninės, Rasos);
• July 6, Saturday: Statehood Day (Valstybės diena);
• August 15, Thursday: Assumption Day (Žolinė);
• November 1, Friday: All Saints’ Day (Visų šventųjų diena);
• November 2, Saturday: All Souls’ Day (Vėlinės);
• December 24, Tuesday: Christmas Eve (Šv. Kūčios);
• December 25, Wednesday: Christmas Day (Šv. Kalėdos);
• December 26, Thursday: St. Stephen’s Day (Šv. Kalėdos).

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Tourism tax rates in Lithuania

Last updated 12 January 2024 | Rate increase in Vilnius from €1 to €2

While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed should be used as guidance only.

Turisto Rinkliava

The tourist tax (turisto rinkliava) is decided by local governments (municipalities) using the flat rate per person, per night. The tax is not subject to VAT.

The tax revenue is used to improve local infrastructure and tourism promotion.

Below are selected destinations and further information can be found by clicking on the name of the destination.

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Airbnb Signs First Tax Collaboration in Central and Eastern Europe

Airbnb has signed the first partnership on the automated collection of tourist taxes in Central and Eastern Europe with the City of Vilnius in Lithuania. From February 1st onwards, Airbnb will automatically collect tourism levies due per night and per person when booking a stay in Vilnius and will transfer it directly to the City of Vilnius on behalf of hosts and guests.

With this digital solution, Airbnb will lessen the administrative workload of tourism organizations and hosts. Airbnb is the first travel platform to sign such an agreement with a city in Lithuania and in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Vilnius is being discovered by more and more tourists as an amazing place for city breaks filled with culture, history, and great food in a walkable UNESCO-listed Old Town. Moreover, Vilnius is packed with natural settings – almost half of the city is filled with green spaces and it’s a perfectly safe destination for holidays. Vilnius is also a dynamic city where agreements with important partners such as Airbnb are reached quickly. It’s a significant improvement for the administration of the city tax for hosts and tourists alike. Inga Romanovskienė, Director of Vilnius city tourism and business development agency “Go Vilnius”.

Airbnb has over 400 agreements with local and national governments and organizations around the world on the automated collection of tourism taxes. Globally, Airbnb has already collected more than $2 billion in tourist-related taxes through such agreements.

Airbnb is working with regulators and tourism organizations to promote responsible and sustainable tourism and enable home sharing in the Baltics. We are particularly excited about partnering with the City of Vilnius, as this is our first partnership on tourism levies in the region, and also the first partnership of the sort in Central and Eastern Europe. Kathrin Anselm, General Manager DACH & CEE Airbnb.

Tax Free Shopping in Lithuania

What is tax free shopping and why it’s so great.

 Wouldn’t it be nice to pay 48 EUR instead of 55 EUR when you have the right to? Or 178 EUR instead of 200 EUR? It would. And with Global Blue Tax Free Shopping it is.

 Global Blue is a worldwide leader in tax free shopping that helps globe shoppers to recover the VAT (value-added tax) on the goods they have purchased when travelling by refunding them directly on credit cards or in cash when leaving the country. If you’re thinking about shopping in Lithuania, you can take advantage of Global Blue program when visiting Vilnius. Standard VAT rate in Lithuania is 21% and you can get back up to 12-14% of the VAT from your in-store purchases.

Let’s talk numbers

Imagine, you are about to buy the perfect pair of shoes for 100 EUR. Not only you can get 12 EUR back, but, if a store staff also offers you to purchase an extra fashion accessory for 40 EUR, the total sum of your bought items is going to be 140 EUR and you will get back 15 EUR in total. Which means that you can get the second item for almost half of its price!

We at PANORAMA also believe in VAT refunds - you can find the list of our stores where you can shop tax free here. And with our special offers you can save even more - check out our latest discounts here!

Who can benefit from Tax Free Shopping in Lithuania?

 It’s a common misconception that Tax Free Shopping in Lithuania is mainly for tourists from Russia or Belarus. While many globe shoppers from these countries visit Lithuania to buy goods, any people who are not EU residents (even Lithuanians) can use Tax Free Shopping program in Lithuania and get a VAT refund.

Are you eligible for Tax Free Shopping checklist

You can get vat tax refund when shopping in lithuania, if:.

You are not a EU resident, meaning you don’t live in any of these countries: Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Great Britain (including the Isle of Man), Estonia, Greece, Spain (including the Balearic Islands), Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), France (including Monaco), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany.

You have a EU passport (Lithuanian, Italian, French, etc.), but you don’t have a permanent residence permit in the EU.

You’ve spent no less than 55 EUR (VAT included) on the same day, in the same shop.

You leave the EU in 3 months after shopping in Lithuania.

You can’t get a VAT refund if:

• You’re a holder of non-EU passport who has a permanent residence permit in an EU country.
• You’re a diplomat.

Where can you get a VAT refund?

• When your Tax Free Form is approved by customs, you can get your VAT refund at every border checkpoint when leaving Lithuania (except The Curonian Spit), at airports in Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and at Vilnius Railway Station.Click here to find the closest VAT refund point in Lithuania.
• You can also get your VAT refund in other countries where they accept Lithuanian Tax Free Forms. You can check where you can receive your tax refund here .
• You can also get your VAT refund in Lithuania, but you still must get the approval from customs first. Then you can be refunded in Medicinos Bankas, a bank that can be found in the old town in Vilnius, Klaipėda and Druskininkai as well as at shopping malls.
• Lastly, you can be refunded back home on your credit card, if there is such an option in your country.

What information a shopper needs to give?

• A proof of residence

What you need to do to get a VAT refund?

To get some of your money back, you need to follow these simple steps:

• Ask store staff for a Global Blue Tax Free Form when paying for your purchases.
• The store staff will fill the Tax Free Form with your personal information and provide you with all the necessary information you need to know to get your refund.
• If you have a SHOP TAX FREE Card, show it to store staff. Your personal details will automatically be filled out on the Tax Free Form. The staff will only have to fill your purchase info like receipt number, describe the items bought and indicate their price.
• Present your passport, a completed Tax Free Form, receipts and purchases to the Customs desk at the airport or port so that your form could be verified and stamped.*
• Contact the Global Blue Tax Refund Office or send your Tax Free Form in a prepaid envelope. * Remember to keep your purchases ready for inspection - they should be unused. Save their originals receipts, too.

Always be prepared! Download the Tax Free Lithuania checklist here.[5] 

Tax Free Shopping in Lithuania with Global Blue: Checklist

You can get up to 12-14% of the VAT from your in-store purchases in Lithuania.

You ‘re not a EU resident.

You don’t stay in the EU longer than 3 months after shopping here.

Don’t forget your:

a proof of residence.

Get a Global Blue Shop Tax Free card for faster shopping!

After shopping, you can be refunded:.

• When your Tax Free Form is approved by customs, you can get your VAT refund at every border checkpoint when leaving Lithuania (except The Curonian Spit), at airports in Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and at Vilnius Railway Station. Click here to find the closest VAT refund point in Lithuania.
• You can also get your VAT refund in Lithuania, but you still must get the approval from customs first. Then you can be refunded in Medicinos Bankas, a bank that can be found in the old town in Vilnius, Klaipėda and Druskininkai, as well as at shopping malls.

Non-refundable goods:

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco;
• Goods that are not a subject to a 21% VAT (books, medicine, etc.);
• Discount cards;
• Car lubricants and fuel;
• Taxable services (insurance, additional warranty, delivery, repair, production of eyeglasses, etc.);
• Storage devices that are a subject to AGATA fee.

How to fill Tax Free Form

Refund calculator

After shopping in Lithuania in stores that are a part of the Global Blue program, you can get back about 12-14% of the VAT from your purchased goods.

Want to calculate how much money you can get back with Global Blue based on the amount you want to spend? Try this simple and convenient refund calculator and plan your expenses better!

Disclaimer: While Global Blue does everything they can to ensure the accuracy of the refund calculator, its results may not be 100% accurate and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Global Blue does not warrant that the calculator will be kept up to date or be completely true at all times. That being said, it still gives you a fairly clear idea how much money you can get back.

Track your refund

Want to check the status of your refund? You can easily to it here - you just need to enter the number on your Tax Free Form ( DOC ID ) and your purchase amount.

What is a Global Blue Shop Tax Free card?

 A Global Blue Shop Tax Free card is a must-have card for frequent travellers because it helps to save time when shopping. If the shop you want to buy goods has the Global Blue Tax electronic solution in place, this card will help you to fill in the Tax Free Form quicker.

How does shopping with the SHOP Tax Free card look like?

You simply have to give your passport and the Tax Free card to a shop assistant and he or she will enter your card’s number to the system. All your personal data that is needed to fill in the Tax Free Form will be automatically displayed on the screen - you will only have to fill in the details of your purchase and the amount spent. This way both you and the assistant can save a significant amount of time! 

Is this card free of charge?

Yes. You can order the Tax Free card on the Global Blue website.

How can I get a Shop Tax Free card?

It’s simple. You only need to submit your personal data (proof of ID) that is needed to fill in the Tax Free Form.

There are 3 ways that you can receive the card:

1. It can be sent to your home address free of charge. 2. It can be issued at IKEA’s info desk in Lithuania. 3. You can install a Global Blue app on your smartphone and have the card right in your phone.

How Global Blue can help businesses

Shoppers always appreciate the efforts to make their shopping experience more pleasant, especially when it involves discounts and saving their precious time. Great shopping experience, in turn, results in more sales for businesses, too. That’s where Global Blue steps in.

Global Blue creates value not only for the Globe Shoppers but for retailers, too. It encourages foreign travelers to shop at the stores that can help them to recover the VAT on the goods they want to purchase. So, stores that can provide this service stand out among their competitors and have an upper hand attracting international clientele which tends to spend more than regular shoppers. It’s a win-win situation! 

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Why you should expect to pay more tourist taxes – even though the evidence for them is unclear

Senior Lecturer in Economics, Bangor University

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, Bangor University

Disclosure statement

Rhys ap Gwilym has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to various devolved taxes, including the proposed visitor levy.

Linda Osti has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to the proposed visitor levy.

Bangor University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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In April 2024, Venice began its controversial experiment to charge day trippers €5 (£4.30) to visit the city on some of the busiest days of the year. But it’s not just the lagoon city, with its 30 million visitors a year which is interested in trying out new tourism taxes.

In the UK, a council in the county of Kent has recommended introducing a tourism tax on overnight stays in the county. In Scotland, it seems likely that visitors to Edinburgh will be paying a fee by 2026, and the Welsh government plans to introduce similar legislation later this year.

Such taxes may seem new to the UK, but there are more than 60 destinations around the world where this type of tax is already in place. These vary from a nationwide tax in Iceland to various towns across the US. Some have been in place for a long time (France was the first in 1910 ), but most were introduced during the last decade or two.

Before the pandemic really struck (and tourism was put on hold), 2020 was described by one newspaper as the “year of the tourist tax” , as Amsterdam joined an ever-growing list of destinations, which includes Paris, Malta and Cancun, to charge visitors for simply visiting.

Introducing these tourist taxes has often been controversial, with industry bodies voicing concerns about the potential impacts on the tourist trade.

And it appears that the link between such levies and visitor numbers is not simple, with several studies reaching different conclusions. For example, some have suggested that tourism levies have hindered international tourism in the Balearics and the Maldives , and that they may dissuade people from participating in domestic tourism .

Yet in one of the world’s most popular tourism spots with a levy, Barcelona, visitor numbers have consistently risen , with hotel guests increasing from 7.1 million in 2013 to 9.5 million in 2019.

In fact, the relationship between a visitor levy and tourist flow is so complex that there is no unified view, even within the same country. Italy has been one of the most studied, and results are inconsistent there too .

Another study, looking at three neighbouring Italian seaside spots finds that only in one destination has the visitor levy reduced tourist flow . And a study on the Italian cities of Rome, Florence and Padua shows that these cities have not experienced any negative effects either in terms of domestic or international demand.

So the impact of tourism taxes on visitor numbers is inconclusive.

But what about other effects, such as the potential benefits of spending the revenues raised? As part of an ongoing research project, we looked at seven different destinations in which tourist taxes are levied to look at how the money raised is then spent.

For most places, tourism tax revenues were being used to fund marketing and branding – so invested directly into promoting more tourism. The income was also commonly used to fund tourism infrastructure, from public toilets and walking or cycling paths to a multi-billion dollar convention centre in Orange County, Florida.

In the Balearics , revenues tend to go to projects that mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture and society of the islands. These include waste management, conserving natural habitats and historical monuments, and social housing.

But in general, tourism taxes have been implemented successfully across the destinations we looked at, and there is little evidence of tourists being put off from visiting.

Research also suggests that when tourists are told what the levy is used for – and when it relates directly to improving their experience or enhancing sustainable tourism – tourists are willing to accept and pay the levy.

Day trippers

For many tourism destinations, the major problem is not overnight tourists, but rather day visitors who use local resources while making little in the way of a financial contribution. For these reasons, taxes might also be used to deter day visits and instead encourage longer stays.

Venice is at the forefront of this shift. And in April 2024, after long discussions between the local authority, residents and business owners, Venice started a trial of a day visitor tax (a so-called “access fee” ).

Read more: An entry fee may not be enough to save Venice from 20 million tourists

Back in Kent, it may take longer for any such radical plans to come to fruition. In contrast to Scotland and Wales, there are currently no national plans to introduce tourist taxes in England.

This might be considered shortsighted, given the dire need of many destinations in England to improve local infrastructure that tourists rely on, including clean bathing water and public transport . In Manchester and Liverpool , businesses have implemented voluntary overnight charges on visitors, in the absence of the statutory basis to implement compulsory levies.

Many other English towns and cities will probably follow their lead. Tourism taxes are something we might all have to consider budgeting for in our future travel plans, wherever we choose to visit.

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Over 60 places around the world charge tourist taxes – and there’s more to come

E ditor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. CNN is showcasing the work of  The Conversation , a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation.

In April 2024, Venice began its controversial experiment to  charge day trippers  €5 ($5.40) to visit the city on some of the busiest days of the year. But it’s not just the lagoon city, with its  30 million visitors  a year, which is interested in trying out new tourism taxes.

In the UK, a council in the county of Kent  has recommended  introducing a tourism tax on overnight stays in the county. In Scotland, it seems likely that  visitors to Edinburgh  will be paying a fee by 2026, and the Welsh government  plans to introduce  similar legislation later this year.

There are more than 60 destinations around the world where this type of tax is already in place. These vary from a nationwide tax in Iceland to various towns across the US. Some have been in place for a long time (France was the  first in 1910 ), but most were introduced during the last decade or two.

Before the pandemic really struck (and tourism was put on hold), 2020 was described by one newspaper as the  “year of the tourist tax,” as Amsterdam joined an ever-growing list of destinations, which includes Paris, Malta and Cancun, to charge visitors for simply visiting.

Introducing these tourist taxes has often been controversial, with industry bodies  voicing concerns  about the potential impacts on the tourist trade.

And it appears that the link between such levies and visitor numbers is not simple, with several studies reaching different conclusions. For example, some have suggested that tourism levies have hindered  international tourism in the Balearics  and  the Maldives , and that they may dissuade people from participating in  domestic tourism .

Yet in one of the world’s most popular tourism spots with a levy, Barcelona, visitor numbers have  consistently risen , with hotel guests increasing from 7.1 million in 2013 to 9.5 million in 2019.

In fact, the relationship between a visitor levy and tourist flow is so complex that there is no unified view, even within the same country. Italy has been one of the most studied, and results  are inconsistent   there too .

Another study, looking at three neighbouring Italian seaside spots finds that only in one destination has the visitor levy  reduced tourist flow . And a study on the Italian cities of Rome, Florence and Padua shows that these cities  have not experienced any negative effects  either in terms of domestic or international demand.

So the impact of tourism taxes on visitor numbers is inconclusive.

But what about other effects, such as the potential benefits of spending the revenues raised? As part of an ongoing research project, we looked at seven different destinations in which tourist taxes are levied to look at how the money raised is then spent.

For most places, tourism tax revenues were being used to fund marketing and branding – so invested directly into promoting more tourism. The income was also commonly used to fund tourism infrastructure, from public toilets and walking or cycling paths to a multi-billion dollar  convention centre  in Orange County, Florida.

In  the Balearics , revenues tend to go to projects that mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture and society of the islands. These include waste management, conserving natural habitats and historical monuments, and social housing.

But in general, tourism taxes have been implemented successfully across the destinations we looked at, and there is little evidence of tourists being put off from visiting.

Research also suggests that when tourists are told what the levy is used for – and when it relates directly to  improving their experience  or  enhancing sustainable tourism  –  tourists are willing to accept and pay  the levy.

Day trippers

For many tourism destinations, the major problem is not overnight tourists, but rather  day visitors  who use local resources while making little in the way of a financial contribution. For these reasons, taxes might also be used to deter day visits and instead encourage longer stays.

Venice is at the forefront  of this shift. And in April 2024, after long discussions between the local authority, residents and business owners, Venice started a  trial  of a day visitor tax (a so-called  “access fee.” )

Back in Kent, it may take longer for any such radical plans to come to fruition. In contrast to Scotland and Wales, there are currently no national plans to  introduce tourist taxes  in England.

This might be considered shortsighted, given the dire need of many destinations in England to improve local infrastructure that tourists rely on, including  clean bathing water  and  public transport . In  Manchester  and  Liverpool , businesses have implemented voluntary overnight charges on visitors, in the absence of the statutory basis to implement compulsory levies.

Many other towns and cities will probably follow their lead. Tourism taxes are something we might all have to consider budgeting for in our future travel plans, wherever we choose to visit.

Rhys ap Gwilym is a senior lecturer in economics and Linda Osti is a senior lecturer in tourism management, both at Bangor University. Ap Gwilym has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to various devolved taxes, including the proposed visitor levy. Osti has received funding from Welsh Government to conduct research relating to the proposed visitor levy.

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Pay to enter: Venice becomes the first city to implement a tourist ticket system

Venice became the first city in the world on Thursday to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading tourists from arriving during peak periods.

However, it isn't the only place in Italy that has recently introduced new measures aimed at slowing tourist flows.

Here are some of the initiatives currently in force.

Venice tourist tax

The lagoon city has introduced 5 euros (about $5.35) tickets for day trippers, valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The experiment came into force on April 25, a national holiday in Italy. Tickets will be needed for the following 10 days and thereafter for most weekends until mid-July.

Venice residents, students, workers, and homeowners are exempt from paying or booking a slot. Visitors aged under 14 and tourists with hotel reservations will need to register, but access for them will be free of charge.

Other cities, such as Como, have said they are considering introducing a similar measure but are waiting to see how the Venice initiative works before deciding.

In addition, Venice has said that from June, it will limit the size of tourist groups to 25 people and ban the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.

Florence tourist measure

Florence announced in October that it was banning new short-term residential lets on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center. It also offered three years of tax breaks to landlords of short-term holiday lets who start offering ordinary leases for residents.

The city's famous museum, the Uffizi, offers discounts to people who arrive before 8.55 a.m. and lower prices off-season. To spread out crowds, it also closes at 10 p.m. once a week.

Cinque Terrer overtourism

The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera regularly get swamped with visitors.

To try to reduce the overcrowding at peak periods, the authority which oversees the area said this week it would charge visitors 15 euros (about $16) to walk the most celebrated coastal path. In addition, the path can only be walked in one direction.

Capri tourism measure

The picturesque small island that lies across the bay from the southern city of Naples has doubled its entry fee, which is automatically added to ferry tickets, to 5 euros. The fee will be charged from April 1 to October 1.

Capri, Ischia, Procida, Lampedusa and Linosa changes

These islands have introduced limits, or outright bans, on cars for non-residents during the main tourist season.