{"id":646260,"date":"2025-12-21T12:48:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T12:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/646260\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T12:48:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T12:48:17","slug":"italy-joins-spain-france-uk-greece-belgium-and-others-in-implementing-new-travel-charges-across-europe-from-2026-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/646260\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy Joins Spain, France, UK, Greece, Belgium, and Others in Implementing New Travel Charges Across Europe From 2026: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Home<\/a> \u00bb Greece<\/a> \u00bb Greece Travel News<\/a> \u00bb Italy Joins Spain, France, UK, Greece, Belgium, and Others in Implementing New Travel Charges Across Europe From 2026: Everything You Need To Know <\/p>\n

Published on
\nDecember 21, 2025<\/p>\n

\"Italy<\/p>\n

Italy is joining Spain, France, the UK, Greece, Belgium, and other countries in implementing new travel charges starting in 2026. These fees aim to manage overtourism, fund restoration, and improve local infrastructure across Europe. As iconic landmarks across the continent continue to face high volumes of tourists, governments are introducing measures to help mitigate the negative effects of overcrowding. From Italy\u2019s new fees at the Trevi Fountain and in Venice to France\u2019s hikes in entry costs at sites like the Louvre, many countries are following suit in adjusting their approach to tourism. With additional charges on accommodation, cruise passengers, and city-specific visitor taxes, travelers will find themselves facing higher costs at popular destinations. This article will explore everything you need to know about these new travel charges and how they will reshape the European travel experience starting in 2026.<\/p>\n

Italy: Leader in Landmark Entry Fees\"\"<\/p>\n

Italy has become the trendsetter in Europe when it comes to charging entry fees for iconic landmarks. Starting in 2026, Rome will introduce a \u20ac2 fee to access the immediate basin area of the Trevi Fountain during peak hours. Similarly, Venice has implemented a \u20ac5 fee for day-trippers visiting the city during high-season months. The country\u2019s efforts to manage overtourism are also seen in places like Civita di Bagnoregio, where a \u20ac5 entry fee has been in place for years. Although the fees target tourists, locals and children are typically exempt, making it easier for residents to visit these iconic sites.<\/p>\nLocation<\/strong>Fee<\/strong>Date<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nTrevi Fountain (Rome)<\/td>\n\u20ac2 (peak hours)<\/td>\nFeb 1, 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nPantheon (Rome)<\/td>\n\u20ac5<\/td>\nOngoing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nVenice (Day-trippers)<\/td>\n\u20ac5 (rising to \u20ac10)<\/td>\nSpring\/Summer 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nCivita di Bagnoregio<\/td>\n\u20ac5<\/td>\nOngoing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

France: Rising Entry Fees for Non-EU Tourists\"\"<\/p>\n

France is following a similar path, implementing entry fee hikes at its iconic sites to fund restoration projects. Starting in 2026, non-EU visitors will pay higher rates at popular sites like the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. For instance, the Louvre\u2019s entry fee will rise from \u20ac22 to \u20ac32, while the Palace of Versailles will see an increase of \u20ac5 to \u20ac10. Additionally, there are proposed changes to religious site access, with Notre-Dame Cathedral potentially charging a \u20ac5 fee for tourists. France is also addressing overcrowding at natural sites, such as Mont Saint-Michel, with timed-entry and peak-hour surcharges.<\/p>\nLandmark<\/strong>Current Fee (Approx.)<\/strong>New 2026 Fee (Non-EU)<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nLouvre Museum (Paris)<\/td>\n\u20ac22<\/td>\n\u20ac32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nPalace of Versailles<\/td>\n\u20ac21\u2013\u20ac32<\/td>\n\u20ac35+ (Peak pricing)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nCh\u00e2teau de Chambord (Loire Valley)<\/td>\n\u20ac19<\/td>\n\u20ac29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Spain: Regional Taxes and Cruise Fees\"\"<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s approach differs from Italy and France, focusing more on regional taxes and cruise passenger levies. Barcelona is introducing a significant hike in its tourist tax, which by 2026 will reach up to \u20ac15 per night, adding to the already steep surcharge in the city. The Balearic Islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, are also proposing a seasonal \u201cSustainable Tourism Tax,\u201d with fees potentially reaching \u20ac15 per night during peak months. To tackle the overcrowding from cruise tourism, Santorini and Mykonos will charge cruise passengers a \u20ac20 fee during peak seasons, with lower fees in off-peak months.<\/p>\nLocation<\/strong>Fee<\/strong>Start Date<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nBarcelona (Tourist Tax)<\/td>\n\u20ac10\u2013\u20ac15 per night<\/td>\n2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nBalearic Islands (Peak Season)<\/td>\n\u20ac15 per night<\/td>\nJuly-August 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSantorini\/Mykonos (Cruise Passenger Fee)<\/td>\n\u20ac20 (Peak)<\/td>\n2025\/2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

UK: New Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and City Taxes\"\"<\/p>\n

The UK is shifting its fee strategy with the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), set to take effect from February 2026. This \u00a316 fee will be required for all international travelers from countries that do not currently require a visa, including the US, Canada, Australia, and EU nations. In addition to the ETA, local governments are introducing city-specific visitor taxes. For example, Edinburgh will impose a visitor levy of 5% on hotel room rates starting in July 2026. Other cities, like Manchester and Liverpool, already have similar taxes, adding to the cost of visiting the UK.<\/p>\nCity<\/strong>Fee Type<\/strong>Estimated Cost<\/strong>Start Date<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nEdinburgh<\/td>\nVisitor Levy<\/td>\n5% of room rate<\/td>\nJuly 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nManchester<\/td>\nCity Visitor Charge<\/td>\n\u00a31 + VAT per night<\/td>\nOngoing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nLiverpool<\/td>\nCity Visitor Charge<\/td>\n\u00a32 per night<\/td>\nJune 2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Greece: Acropolis Price Hike and Cruise Taxes\"\"<\/p>\n

Greece has introduced notable price increases for its major landmarks starting in 2025. The entry fee for the Acropolis has risen from \u20ac20 to \u20ac30, eliminating the previous winter discount. In addition to landmark ticket hikes, Greece is introducing a cruise passenger fee to control overtourism on islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Fees for cruise visitors will vary from \u20ac4 to \u20ac20 depending on the season. Furthermore, Greece has replaced its old \u201chotel tax\u201d with an environmental levy, called the \u201cClimate Crisis Resilience Fee,\u201d aimed at funding wildfire restoration efforts. This fee ranges from \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac15 per night based on the hotel\u2019s star rating.<\/p>\nLocation<\/strong>Fee<\/strong>Date<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nAcropolis (Athens)<\/td>\n\u20ac30<\/td>\nApril 2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSantorini\/Mykonos (Cruise Tax)<\/td>\n\u20ac20 (Peak)<\/td>\n2025\/2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nHotel Climate Levy (Greece)<\/td>\n\u20ac1.50 \u2013 \u20ac15 per night<\/td>\n2025\/2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Belgium: City & Accommodation Tourism Taxes\"\"<\/p>\n

Belgium primarily uses municipal accommodation taxes<\/strong> to manage tourism, with charges applied per room or person, per night. Cities like Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent levy taxes ranging from \u20ac2 to \u20ac5<\/strong> per stay, with Brussels planning to increase the tax to \u20ac5<\/strong> starting in 2026. These funds support local infrastructure and tourism services. Unlike Italy or France, Belgium doesn\u2019t charge entry fees for landmarks, though some cities are exploring broader levies for day tourists. Always check your booking for additional charges that may apply during your stay.<\/p>\nCity<\/strong>Tax<\/strong>Start Date<\/strong><\/tr>\n\nBrussels<\/td>\n\u20ac4\u2013\u20ac5 per night<\/td>\n2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nBruges<\/td>\n~\u20ac3.75 per night<\/td>\nOngoing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nAntwerp<\/td>\n~\u20ac2.97 per night<\/td>\n2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGhent<\/td>\n~\u20ac3 per night<\/td>\n2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Italy is joining Spain, France, the UK, Greece, Belgium, and other countries in implementing new travel charges starting in 2026. These fees aim to manage overtourism, fund restoration, and improve local infrastructure across Europe.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, Italy\u2019s decision to join Spain, France, the UK, Greece, Belgium, and other countries in implementing new travel charges starting in 2026 marks a significant shift in Europe\u2019s approach to tourism management. These new fees, designed to manage overtourism, fund restoration projects, and enhance local infrastructure, reflect the growing concern over the environmental and economic impacts of mass tourism. With landmark entry fees, increased taxes on accommodation, and additional charges for cruise passengers, travelers will face higher costs across key European destinations. While these changes are necessary for sustainable tourism, they will undoubtedly reshape the travel experience in Europe, making it essential for visitors to plan ahead and budget accordingly.<\/p>\n

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