The city of Venice, Italy, will double the number of days for which visitors will be charged an entrance fee by 2025.
The tourist tax, which is intended to help combat over-tourism in the city, was first implemented for 29 days between April 25 and July 14, 2024, including weekends and holidays. By 2025, the city will impose a tax of 54 days – paid every Friday to Sunday and holidays between April 18 and July 27.
Day-trippers who book in advance will be charged 5 euros (about $5.40 at current exchange rates) to enter the city. This fee increases to 10 euros for bookings less than four days in advance.
Before its trial in 2024, the Venice tourist tax was debated for several years; faced many delays and setbacks before its launch in April.
During the trial, visitors entering the city before 8:30 am or after 4 pm (or those staying in hotels that have already paid the accommodation tax) were exempt from paying the fee. Non-paying visitors were subject to immediate fines of between 50 and 300 euros if they failed a random spot check. This is expected to continue in the same way in 2025.
The tourist tax was first introduced to combat overtourism in Venice, arguably one of Europe’s most famous and popular destinations. However, few travelers were disappointed by the toll – an average of 75,000 visitors arrived in the city each day during the first 11 days of the trial.
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Back in July, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Deputy Mayor Assessore Simone Venturini hinted that the tax would continue and possibly increase with enforcement.
Although the trial period did not significantly reduce visitor numbers, it generated approximately 2.4 million euros in additional revenue. According to city officials, the money will be used to fund important municipal services within Venice, such as garbage collection and sewer maintenance. According to Brugnaro, further analysis is needed to assess whether the program was able to break through.
Bottom line
After years of negotiations, Venice introduced the tourist tax during a 29-day trial in April. The trial has now been deemed a success and will continue in 2025 for 54 days – every Friday to Sunday and holidays between April 18 and July 27.
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