Blog

We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Navigating 2026: Essential Overseas Tourist Taxes for Americans

As you begin planning your dream trips to iconic destinations such as London, Paris, or embark on a Mediterranean cruise in 2026, it's essential to account for an emerging travel expense: tourist taxes. Globally, these levies are increasingly being implemented by governments to finance infrastructure enhancement, historical site preservation, and crowd control. Crucial changes are forthcoming from 2026 that may directly impact American travelers.

These tourist fees shouldn't deter you from visiting. However, being informed of such "little extras" ensures there are no unwelcome surprises during your journey.

Below are some pivotal 2026 tourist tax updates relevant to U.S. travelers, starting with the situation in London.

Image 2

London & England: Overnight Visitor Levies

London is on the verge of enacting a tourist tax for accommodations such as hotels and short-term rentals, aligning with major cities globally. Recent government proposals within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill suggest empowering English mayors to introduce visitor levies to drive growth in non-metropolitan regions.

Backed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, London's levy is anticipated to be similar to models in Paris and Tokyo, possibly around 5% of nightly room expenses—approximately £10–£12 (about $12–$15) per night for a standard hotel or Airbnb.

Key Points for 2026:

  • Possible Payers: Visitors staying overnight in hotels, B&Bs, or short-term rentals across London and other regions whose mayors adopt the levy.
  • Funding Use: Local transport, cultural sites, and tourism infrastructure.
  • Implementation Timing: While exact dates and rates depend on forthcoming consultations, the debut of these levies could likely begin in 2026.

For U.S. clients headed to London, advise them to anticipate a small extra charge on their lodging bills, added to existing VAT and service fees.

Image 1

Edinburgh: Pioneering UK's Visitor Levy

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is set to become the first UK city to enforce a formal visitor levy under new Scottish law. Reports from The Independent indicate that this levy could mimic other European examples, set at 5% of accommodation costs, applied to initial stay nights.

In practical terms:

  • A family spending £200 per night might incur an additional £10 per night as a levy.
  • This charge may appear as a distinct line item on hotel receipts and is turned over to the city.

Acknowledgment of these fees is crucial for American families planning trips to Scotland in 2026, preventing surprises during hotel rate comparisons.

Venice: Select Day-Trip Fees in 2026

Venice plans to test a day-trip charge framework targeting cruise and short-term visitors in 2026. As industry sources report, designated dates between April 18 to July 27, 2026, will see a fee of €5 for early reservations and €10 for last-minute access.

Notably:

  • Payers: Day visitors not staying overnight.
  • Mechanism: Online slot booking for lower fees; higher charges closer to the visit date.

Advising clients on Mediterranean cruises or brief rail visits to Venice to verify cruise documents and local directives for 2026 dates is prudent.

Image 3

France in 2026: ETIAS and Museum Cost Increases

France will see the addition of charges for non-EU tourists like Americans in 2026. International travel updates indicate that from late 2026, Americans will need a €20 ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) clearance to enter France and other Schengen countries, a raise from prior €7 proposals.

Museum entry fees are also set to increase for major landmarks:

  • Ticket prices for places like the Louvre and Château de Versailles could rise to about €25–€30 for non-EU visitors.
  • This is on top of France’s standard Taxe de Séjour, ranging from €0.65 to €15.60 per person per night, varying by lodgings.

American travelers should anticipate and budget for the following:

  • The €20 ETIAS fee, along with airline expenses.
  • Higher costs for museum tickets.
  • Incremental accommodation taxes during lengthy stays.

Spain: Barcelona, Balearic Islands, and New Surcharges

Spain anticipates reforming its tourist tax policies by 2026, notably in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, etc.).

  • Catalonia and Barcelona will carry on with their overnight stay taxes, ranging from €0.60 to €3.50 per person per night.
  • Barcelona launches a new city surcharge of €5 per person per night in 2026, gradually rising to €8 by 2029. Combined taxes could amount to about €15 per night for upscale venues by the decade's end.
  • The Balearic Islands impose a seasonal "sustainable tourism" fee of €1–€4 per person per night during high season (May–October), tapering off during low season.

For American families staying in mid-range Barcelona accommodations in 2026, expect additional nightly expenses ranging from €12–€20 in consolidated regional and city fees.

Mexico: 2026 Cruise Passenger Tax Increment

Tourist taxation isn't confined to Europe. Mexico's various tourism fees at both state and federal levels include a notable increase for cruise passengers post-2025.

Reports reveal that Mexico's Federal Cruise Ship Passenger Tax, set at $5 per passenger in 2025, will rise to $10 in 2026 and continue escalating. Typically bundled within total port costs, this tax hike might not be distinctly listed.

Additionally, state-specific fees remain in effect:

  • Quintana Roo's Visitax, approximately 283 MXN (about $15) per foreign visitor.
  • Baja California Sur’s tourism tax of around 470 MXN (about $36) for visitors exceeding a 24-hour stay.

Understanding these adjustments explains why 2026 package deals could be pricier than previous years.

Tourist taxes are becoming an indelible element of travel budgeting—2026 marks their escalation as part of planning standardization.

This is how our firm can assist your 2026 travel preparations:

  • Address Fees Upfront: Discuss London, Edinburgh, and other prime European jaunts when planning 2026 travel with us. We offer advisement on potential overnight levies, ETIAS obligations, and museum cost increases in your holistic travel budget.
  • Retain Receipts: Save accommodation invoices as some levies might qualify for deductions on business-focused trips.
  • Verify Official Resources During Booking: With ongoing adjustments to these fees, consulting with us can lead you to essential government tourism webpages or alerts for the most updated charges and schedules.

Ultimately, tourist taxes are unlikely to derail plans, but in 2026, their visibility is heightened. Strategic foresight and counsel from trusted advisors ensure these extras stay as planned line items rather than unexpected costs.

Share this article...

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

We care about the protection of your data.