Barcelona Tackles Overtourism with Tax Hike
Barcelona is doubling its overnight tourist tax starting in April 2026 to address overtourism and the housing affordability crisis [https://travelandtourworld.com/news/article/how-barcelonas-new-tourist-tax-will-impact-your-vacation-spains-bold-move-to-tackle-overtourism-and-housing-crisis]. The Barcelona Marathon on March 15th will also cause significant traffic and public transport disruptions [https://en.ara.cat/society/barcelona-marathon-how-it-will-affect-traffic-and-public-transport_1_5676786.html].
Barcelona's move to double the tourist tax, effective April 2026, comes amid growing anti-tourism sentiment, with protests erupting in the summer of 2025 over rising housing costs. The city aims to ban all holiday apartments by 2028 in a bid to ease the strain on the housing market. The increased tax will see levies for short-term holiday apartments rise to €12.50 per night, while hotel taxes could reach €15 per night depending on the hotel's star rating. Cruise passengers will continue to pay around €6 per night. A two-night stay in a four-star hotel could incur over €45 in taxes. The city council will allocate 25% of the generated revenue to affordable housing programs and the remaining 75% to tourism promotion and related infrastructure. Barcelona received 15.8 million tourists in 2025, exacerbating overtourism and straining resources. Meanwhile, the Barcelona Marathon on March 15th is expected to draw over 30,000 runners, causing significant traffic and public transport disruptions throughout the city. The race starts at 8:30 AM on Passeig de Gràcia, passing through iconic locations. Restrictions will begin the day before the race.
