Vacations may become more expensive in 2026: entrance fees, new taxes, extra admin – these are things to be prepared for

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 01. 20. 10:57

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In 2026, several European destinations would curb overcrowding with new fees and increased tourist taxes – and the extra costs will quickly be reflected in the wallets of Hungarian travelers. In Barcelona, the tourist burden per person per night could increase to up to 15 euros, and Edinburgh will introduce a 5% “visitor levy”. Meanwhile, in places like Venice, day tickets are returning, and the administrative cost of British entry is also rising, writes Pénzcentrum.

In tourism, more and more cities and countries are resorting to direct pricing tools: they do not (only) want to campaign for “responsible travel”, but would also create specific resources to finance public spaces, transport, waste management and local infrastructure – while also directing mass tourism towards less crowded periods.

Barcelona: tourist tax of up to 15 euros/person/night could come from 2026 – According to the plans of the Catalan government, tourist taxes in Barcelona could increase significantly from April 1, 2026: according to information published in the press, the total amount payable per night could reach 15 euros per person.

Edinburgh: 5% “visitor levy”, full launch from July 2026 – The capital of Scotland is also opening a new revenue stream: Edinburgh City Council has voted for a 5% tourist tax, which is planned to be fully implemented from July 24, 2026 apply.

Venice: daily ticket entry – up to 10 euros on peak days-Venice is again using a daily ticket system on the busiest days after the 2024 experiment. According to the BBC, the fee could go up to 10 euros in some cases, and the aim is specifically to reduce the number of day-trippers.

Norway: 3% visitor tax planned to protect overcrowded sites – The cost of congestion is also on the agenda for Scandinavian destinations: Norway has proposed introducing a 3% tourist tax, which would be used specifically for the infrastructure and maintenance of overcrowded areas.

UK entry: ETA fee also increases – The cost of the electronic authorisation (ETA) for entry into the UK may also move up: the Financial Times According to the plans, the ETA fee will increase to 16 pounds.

What does this mean in practice for Hungarian travelers? – The “increased cost of a vacation” often does not come in the basic price of the flight or accommodation, but in the items that accumulate on site and during the booking process:

tourist tax/fee payable per night (per person, often depending on the category of accommodation),
day ticket entry to certain parts of the city (especially on peak days),
special fees for cruise passengers or day visitors,
entry admin fees (e.g. ETA),
and all of these add up: for a family of 4, even a few euros/night increase can add up to a spectacular total in a week.