Tourist tax in Italy: rates increasing in Padua, Brescia, Rome, and Naples

Travelling in Italy in 2024 will mean dealing with increases in tourist taxes in some of the largest cities.

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6 June 2024, 9:00

Unwelcome news for tourists planning to visit major Italian cities this summer of 2024, as tourist tax is on the rise. Padua, Brescia, Rome, and Naples have chosen to raise their tourist tax rates to address issues related to tourism. These four destinations are not the only ones to increase tourist taxes, a trend that is spreading in Italy and worldwide. We have the details.

What is tourist tax?

Tourist tax in Italy is a local levy applied to tourists staying in certain accommodation such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, and guesthouses during their stay in a particular location. This tax is aimed at financing tourist services, infrastructure, and cultural or promotional initiatives for the area.

The rates and methods of application for the tourist tax vary from place to place and can depend on various factors such as the category and duration of the stay, the season, the age of the tourists, and so on. Generally, the tax is calculated based on the number of overnight stays and can be applied per person or per room.

The revenue generated from the tourist tax is used by local authorities to enhance tourist services, preserve cultural and environmental heritage, promote events and activities, and support the tourist development of the destination.

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Why are tourist taxes increasing?

Several European cities are increasing their tourist tax to regulate post-Covid-19 tourism. These increases, effective from 2023, vary depending on the destination and the season. Paris, for example, has approved an increase of up to 200%, with the revenue earmarked for public transportation. Amsterdam has raised the rates to combat overtourism, while Iceland and Greece have reinstated the taxes to address the environmental impact of tourism. Bhutan has reduced its rates to attract more visitors, whereas Mauritius has increased the international entry tax. In many U.S. cities, hotel taxes are applied, with Houston, Texas, having the highest rate at 17%. In Bali, tourists are required to pay a tourist tax starting from February 14, 2024.

When it comes to Italy, the cities of Padua, Brescia, Rome, and Naples have decided to increase their tourist tax as part of their strategies to manage tourism and ensure sustainable management of local resources. These measures, though criticised for potentially discouraging tourism, aim to generate additional revenue to improve services and infrastructure and to regulate tourist flow to preserve the quality of life for residents.

Other Italian cities are adopting similar strategies, such as Venice with its new entry fee, Capri with an increased landing tax, and Florence with the expanded ZTL (limited traffic zone). The tourist tax has significantly contributed to municipal finances in 2023, demonstrating its importance in the budget of tourist cities. Italian cities are working towards sustainable tourism, striving to balance hospitality, environmental conservation, and harmonious coexistence between visitors and residents, while respecting cultural and natural heritage.

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What will the increases in tourist taxes be?

In Padua, the increase will apply to hotels starting from July 2024, with a rise of €0.5 for establishments rated three stars and above. For other accommodations, the rate will be €2 per person per night, up to a maximum of five consecutive nights.
The city of Brescia has announced summer increases in response to overtourism pressures, starting from July 1, 2024.
In Rome, the tourist tax for luxury hotels has been increased to ten euros in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025, aiming to manage the influx of visitors and improve tourist services. The increase entails rates ranging from €3.00 to €10.00 per person per night, depending on the classification of the accommodation.
Naples has also revised its tourist tax upwards, with prices varying based on the category of the accommodation and potentially increasing further. The surcharge is €3 per person per night, from June 1 to September 15, 2024, for a maximum period of 5 nights.

Below are the tourist taxes for some of the major Italian tourist destinations.

Rome

1-star hotel: €4.00 per night
2-star hotel: €5.00 per night
3-star hotel: €6.00 per night
4-star hotel: €7.50 per night
5-star hotel: €10.00 per night

Naples

1-star hotel: €2.00 per night
2-star hotel: €2.50 per night
3-star hotel: €3.50 per night
4-star hotel: €4.50 per night
5-star hotel: €5.00 per night

Padua

€0.50 to €1.50 depending on the type and level of accommodation

Brescia

1-star hotel: €2.00 per night
2-star hotel: €2.00 per night
3-star hotel: €2.50 per night
4-star hotel: €3.00 per night
5-star hotel: €3.50 per night

Venice

Fixed cost: €5.00

Turin

Hostels and camping: €1.00 per night
1-star hotels, 2-star hotels, RTA Tourist Residences, and other accommodations: €2.30 per night
3-star hotels and RTA Tourist Residences: €2.80 per night
4-star hotels and RTA Tourist Residences: €3.70 per night
5-star hotels and 5-star luxury hotels: €5.00 per night

Florence

1-star hotels and agritourism, campsites: €3.50 per night
Youth hostels and holiday homes: €4.00 per night
2-star hotels, agritourism, and residences: €4.50 per night
3-star hotels, agritourism, and residences: €6.00 per night
4-star hotels, agritourism, and residences: €7.00 per night
5-star hotels and agritourism: €8.00 per night
Other accommodations and holiday rentals, such as Airbnb and Bed and Breakfasts: €5.50 per night