Catalonia’s regional parliament on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, passed legislation to double the tourist tax, with 25% of the additional revenue earmarked specifically for housing initiatives, as authorities move to mitigate the growing pressure on the property market driven by record tourism numbers.
The bill secured approval with votes from the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC), the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), and the Comuns alliance. It faced opposition from Junts per Catalunya, the Popular Party (PP), Vox, and Aliança Catalana, while the Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) abstained, according to El Periódico.
The increase will be phased in: it takes effect in Barcelona in April 2026, while the rest of Catalonia will see a partial rise this year and the full doubling implemented by April 2027.
Under the new rules:
- The base regional tourist tax for five-star hotels rises from €3.50 ($4.13) to €7 ($8.26) per night.
- Combined with Barcelona’s municipal surcharge of €5 ($5.90), guests in top-tier hotels could pay up to €12 ($14.16) per night, with the city council retaining authority to raise the total to €15 ($17.70).
- Lower-category hotels, tourist apartments, hostels, campsites, and cruise passengers will also face higher levies.
- All municipalities—not just Barcelona—may now impose a local surcharge of up to €4 ($4.72), provided it does not exceed the regional base rate. Revenue from these surcharges goes directly to municipal budgets.
The law also streamlines tax collection by shifting to a single annual payment period instead of the previous biannual system.
Of the revenue collected at the regional level, 25% will now be dedicated to housing policies, including measures to increase affordable housing stock, combat speculation, and ease rising rents in tourism-heavy areas. The remaining 75% will continue to support tourism promotion, infrastructure, and sustainability projects.
Supporters of the measure argued that the tourism sector’s strong performance justifies the increase. Catalonia welcomed approximately 25 million tourists in 2025, generating €26 billion ($30.7 billion) in revenue. Authorities estimate the doubled tax will raise annual income from around €100 million ($118 million) to €200 million ($236 million).
The decision reflects growing concerns over “overtourism” and its impact on housing affordability, particularly in Barcelona and coastal areas where short-term rentals have driven up prices and displaced local residents. Lawmakers emphasized that the revenue allocation aims to ensure tourism contributes positively to long-term livability rather than exacerbating social challenges.
The legislation passed amid ongoing debates across Spain about balancing tourism’s economic benefits with its social and environmental costs. Similar tourist taxes and housing-focused measures have been introduced or debated in other high-traffic regions, including the Balearic Islands and Valencia.
No immediate reaction was available from major tourism associations or hotel industry groups as of Wednesday evening, though opposition parties criticized the measure as a potential deterrent to visitors and a burden on the hospitality sector.
The phased rollout is expected to begin in Barcelona in April 2026, with full implementation across Catalonia by April 2027.
