Several countries popular with tourists are introducing new fees for 2026, aiming to regulate visitor flows and maintain public facilities. Thailand, Japan, Norway, Greece, Italy, and Spain will implement or expand charges affecting arrivals, lodgings, and short-term visits.
Thailand imposes 300-baht fee on all arrivals
Thailand will charge a 300-baht fee for foreign visitors from February 2026. The levy applies to arrivals by air, land, or sea. Seventy baht will cover travel insurance, with the remainder allocated to infrastructure and emergency services.
Airlines and border authorities will collect the fee, with potential exemptions for work-visa holders and frequent visitors.
Japan to charge tourists for Kyoto stays and Mount Fuji climbs
Kyoto will introduce a tiered hotel tax in March 2026. Rates will range from ¥200 for budget accommodation to ¥10,000 for luxury hotels. Annual revenue is projected at ¥12.6 billion, funding transport improvements and visitor management.
Climbing Mount Fuji will require a ¥4,000 fee and advance booking, with a daily limit of 4,000 climbers to reduce congestion and improve safety.
Norway introduces 3% levy on overnight stays and cruise visits
Norway plans its first national tourist levy by summer 2026. Municipalities can impose up to 3% on overnight stays and cruise visits, targeting high-traffic towns such as Bergen, Geiranger, and Tromsø. Collected funds will maintain trails, restrooms, and parking facilities in these areas.
Greece to collect extra charges during cruise season
Greece will apply fees for cruise passengers disembarking at island ports. Popular destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos will charge €12 off-season and €20 at peak periods.
Smaller islands will levy €3 off-season and €5 in peak months. Revenue will fund port maintenance, waste management, and crowd-control measures as cruise arrivals reach record levels.
Venice reinstates day-visitor entry fee for peak months
Venice has reinstated a day-visitor entry fee for periods of high traffic between April and July. Standard charges of €5 increase to €10 for bookings made within three days, with QR code registration required.
In 2024, the programme raised €2.4 million, supporting management of large numbers of short-term visitors and maintenance of city infrastructure.
Spain increases tourism taxes in Catalonia, Barcelona, and other regions
Spain will extend tourism taxes across multiple regions. In Catalonia and Barcelona, charges rise from €4 per night to €5 in 2026 and €8 by 2029. Additional regions, including Galicia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands, will introduce similar levies for accommodation and cruise stops. Funds will support heritage preservation and environmental initiatives under national sustainability policies.
Travellers should anticipate modest extra expenses when visiting these destinations in 2026. Authorities across these regions stress that measures aim to balance tourism demand with local infrastructure needs, preserving destinations for future visitors while maintaining essential services.
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