Venice Is Doubling Its Tourist Tax for Some Visitors
The fee is an attempt to control crowding caused by overtourism.
If you're planning a trip to Venice, Italy be prepared to pay potentially more than in previous years.
Earlier this January, Venice implemented an entry fee for visitors to control the crowding caused by tourism. Visitors had to pay €5 ($5.43 at the time of writing) to access and visit the Italian city on select days and times, namely on peak weekends and other days between April and mid-July (for a total of 29 days) and only during peak hours (from 8:30 am until 4 pm).
After the first trial year, however, Venice reassessed the fees. In addition to extending their duration, the Italian city also announced that the costs would be higher for some select visitors.
Next year, last-minute visitors—or those who don't pay the fee online at least four days before their visit—will have to pay €10 (roughly $10.87), which is double the original amount. Additionally, from April 18 to July 27 and only during peak hours, the fee will be applied every Friday through Sunday and on holidays for a total of 54 days. Tourists can pay the fee online and will receive a QR code to show upon entry to the city.
The rule, however, won't apply to everyone. Residents, their relatives, children under 14, and people staying in hotels locally won't have to pay. Students and workers, among other people belonging to specific categories, won't have to pay the fee either.
Overtourism has long been an issue in Venice, forcing officials to get creative in managing the issue and preserving the city and its resources. Residents have been outspoken in opposition to overtourism, too. In addition to imposing fees on tourists entering the city in 2021, Venice banned cruise ships from entering the city center, and most recently, the city banned large tourist groups (more than 25 people) and loudspeakers.