Authorities in Bucharest have approved the introduction of a new tourist tax that will take effect next year, with the measure expected to generate nearly €3 million annually to support tourism promotion in the Romanian capital.
Under the new regulation, visitors staying in paid accommodation in Bucharest will be required to pay a fixed tourist levy of 10 Romanian Leu (approximately €2) per night from 2026. Unlike similar taxes in other European cities, the fee will be uniform and will not vary according to accommodation category or room tariff.
The levy will be collected through accommodation providers as well as digital booking platforms and travel agencies.
According to local media, non-compliance may result in fines of up to 1,5000 Leu (€294) for individuals or 4,000 Leu (€785) for businesses.
Officials have indicated that the initiative is projected to raise around 15 million Romanian Leu (€2.9 million) each year, which will be directed towards marketing Bucharest as a tourism destination. However, details regarding the allocation and utilisation of the funds have yet to be outlined.
The decision, adopted by the General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest shortly after a draft proposal was published, has drawn criticism from sections of the hospitality industry. Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns over the speed of the approval process and the lack of clarity surrounding a structured tourism development or promotion plan.
Deputy Mayor Stelian Bujduveanu stated that the tax would create added value for the city by supporting promotional campaigns and tourism-related events. However, the Federation of the Romanian Hotel Industry (FIHR) has cautioned that the levy could adversely affect Bucharest’s growing tourism momentum, which has recently benefited from increased international visibility and new visitor attractions.
FIHR further noted that effective tourism growth requires collaboration between public authorities and the private sector, warning that rushed and non-transparent policymaking could undermine the city’s competitiveness. Non-compliance with the new regulation may attract penalties, with fines reported to reach up to 1,500 Romanian Leu for individuals and 4,000 Romanian Leu for businesses.