Home » EUROPE » Romania Joins Germany, Spain, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, And Several Other Nations Across Europe In Implementing Stringent Tourist Levy To Drive Revenue Growth In 2026
Published on
January 5, 2026
Romania joins Germany, Spain, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and several other nations across Europe in implementing a stringent tourist levy to drive revenue growth in 2026, as part of a broader strategy to manage the challenges posed by overtourism. The new tax, set to be introduced in Bucharest, will apply a fixed nightly fee on visitors staying in paid accommodation, generating vital funds for tourism promotion, infrastructure development, and sustainability efforts. This move aims to boost Romania’s tourism sector, ensuring the capital remains an attractive destination while addressing the environmental and cultural impacts of rising visitor numbers.
As the demand for sustainable tourism practices grows across Europe, Romania has joined the ranks of several European nations in introducing a strict tourist levy. Scheduled to take effect in 2026, the tax is aimed at boosting the local economy and ensuring the growth and sustainability of Romania’s tourism sector. The levy, a fixed nightly fee for all visitors staying in paid accommodation, is expected to generate significant revenue, enabling Bucharest to invest in enhancing the city’s infrastructure, promote tourism, and manage the effects of increasing visitor numbers. Romania’s decision to implement this levy mirrors similar actions taken by other European destinations, all seeking ways to balance the benefits of tourism with the need for responsible management.
Romania’s Bold Move
Romania’s new tourist levy will charge visitors 10 Romanian Leu (approximately €2) per night, marking a significant step in the country’s tourism policy. This measure, approved by Bucharest’s municipal council in December 2025, aims to raise approximately 15 million Romanian Leu (€2.9 million) annually. The revenue will be reinvested into tourism promotion activities, infrastructure development, and events to attract more international visitors to the capital city.
Tourism in Romania has been steadily increasing over the years, with 2024 seeing close to two million tourist arrivals in Bucharest alone. The city’s mix of rich history, architectural beauty, and vibrant cultural events continues to attract global travelers. However, with rising visitor numbers, the municipal authorities realized the need for a strategy that would both support the tourism industry’s growth and protect the city’s resources from the challenges posed by overtourism.
Under the new law, visitors staying in a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, private villas, and short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb, will be required to pay the levy. The tax will be collected directly by accommodation providers, streamlining the process for both tourists and businesses.
Comparison with Other European Nations
Romania’s decision to introduce a tourist levy follows a growing trend in Europe, where several other countries and cities have implemented similar measures. From Italy’s Venice to Spain’s Barcelona, and from the Netherlands’ Amsterdam to Germany’s Berlin, European cities are increasingly turning to tourism taxes to help offset the pressure that large numbers of visitors place on local resources and infrastructure. These levies are designed to support tourism management efforts, fund promotional activities, and sustain the economies of popular destinations.
Below is a table comparing the tourist levies imposed by various European nations and cities, alongside Romania’s new levy:
The Rise of Overtourism and the Need for Change
As European destinations grapple with the challenges of overtourism, many cities have started to implement tourism levies to control the negative effects of large-scale visitor numbers. Overcrowding, rising property prices, and the erosion of local culture are just some of the challenges that have prompted cities like Venice and Barcelona to take action. These cities have seen their historical sites, local communities, and natural resources strained by the constant influx of tourists.
The new levy in Romania is part of a broader initiative to not only generate additional revenue but to improve the management of tourism activities in Bucharest. Romania’s overnight levy will specifically target international visitors who are staying in paid accommodations, ensuring that the burden of financing the city’s tourism efforts is shared by those directly benefiting from the tourism economy. By introducing this tax, Romania aims to ensure that tourism growth remains sustainable and that Bucharest is positioned as a competitive destination on the global stage.
Benefits of the Tax for Romania’s Tourism Industry
The funds generated from the tourist levy will be channeled into several key areas aimed at enhancing Romania’s tourism offerings. These include:
- Tourism Marketing: The revenue will be used to promote Bucharest and other Romanian cities and regions to international tourists, attracting more visitors and extending the tourist season. This marketing push will focus on Romania’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and natural beauty, encouraging visitors to explore beyond the capital.
- Event and Festival Support: Romania plans to use the funds to sponsor cultural events, festivals, and exhibitions that attract global tourists. These initiatives will help boost the city’s visibility and reputation as a key European tourism hub.
- Infrastructure Development: The money generated will also be used to improve tourism infrastructure, including transportation systems, public spaces, and facilities at tourist attractions. This will ensure that visitors have a seamless experience during their stay.
- Sustainability: As Romania continues to face the challenges posed by overtourism, part of the revenue will be allocated to sustainability initiatives, ensuring that tourism grows in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner.
The introduction of this levy is a direct response to the growing concern about tourism’s environmental and cultural impact. Local authorities hope that the tax will help create a more balanced approach to tourism, prioritizing quality over quantity and focusing on longer stays and higher-value visitors.
Challenges and Criticisms of the Levy
While the tourist levy has been met with support from some quarters, there are also concerns about its potential impact on Romania’s competitiveness, particularly in comparison to other European cities that have already implemented similar taxes. Critics from the hospitality sector argue that the levy could deter budget-conscious travelers, particularly as global travel costs continue to rise. They worry that the added tax could make Bucharest less attractive to visitors, especially when competing with cities that offer a more affordable travel experience.
Furthermore, the rapid implementation of the tax, without a comprehensive and transparent tourism development plan, has raised some concerns among industry stakeholders. The Federation of the Romanian Hotel Industry (FIHR) has called for more detailed strategies on how the funds will be used and how businesses can collaborate with the government to ensure that tourism continues to flourish without harming the city’s competitiveness.
The European Context: How Other Cities Are Managing Overtourism
The tourist levy is part of a broader European strategy to tackle overtourism. Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam have long been dealing with the negative impacts of mass tourism, such as overcrowded streets, rising accommodation prices, and damage to historical landmarks. These cities have implemented tourist taxes to help regulate visitor numbers, provide funding for infrastructure improvements, and protect the local culture and environment.
- Venice, Italy: Known for its historic canals and stunning architecture, Venice has introduced a tourist tax aimed at day visitors. The tax, which can range from €5 to €10, aims to manage the flow of tourists and ensure that the city’s infrastructure is maintained.
- Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona has implemented a tourist tax of €2.25–€3 per night for visitors staying in hotels, which is used to improve the city’s tourism infrastructure and manage visitor numbers.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam’s tourist levy is set at 12.5% of the room rate, which is among the highest in Europe. This tax helps to finance the city’s efforts to manage the effects of overtourism and improve public spaces.
By looking at these European examples, Romania hopes to strike the right balance between attracting visitors and protecting the quality of life for its residents. As Romania continues to develop its tourism sector, the introduction of this levy could serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Tourism in Romania
As Romania joins other European nations in implementing a tourist levy, the focus is on creating a sustainable and balanced tourism model. The funds generated from the new levy will be crucial in ensuring that Bucharest remains an attractive destination for global travelers, while also addressing the challenges posed by overtourism.
The city’s tourism industry is poised for growth, with Romania’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty continuing to draw international visitors. By reinvesting the funds from the tax into tourism marketing, infrastructure, and sustainability efforts, Romania aims to secure its place as a competitive player in the European tourism landscape.
Romania’s decision to implement a tourist levy is part of a broader trend in Europe, as more countries and cities recognize the need to balance the benefits of tourism with the challenges it brings. The new tax, set to take effect in 2026, will generate much-needed revenue to promote Romania’s tourism industry, improve infrastructure, and ensure that Bucharest remains a top European destination. As other European cities have shown, such measures can help manage the pressures of mass tourism while ensuring that the local economy continues to benefit from international visitors.
Romania joins Germany, Spain, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and several other nations across Europe in implementing a stringent tourist levy to drive revenue growth in 2026, aiming to boost tourism funding and manage the effects of overtourism. This levy will generate crucial funds to enhance the city’s infrastructure and promote sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
With a clear strategy in place, Romania’s tourist levy could become a model for other nations to follow as they navigate the complex dynamics of modern tourism.
