This City Will Implement the Highest Tourism Tax in Europe Starting in 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam next year, be prepared for higher costs. Dutch government officials have announced a new tourism tax set to take effect sometime in 2024, making it the highest in Europe.

Although no specific date has been announced, Amsterdam will raise the hotel tax to a flat rate of 12.5 percent in 2024. Currently, the tax stands at 7 percent of the room rate, plus €3 for each person staying in the room. Additionally, the tax for cruise ship passengers visiting the port will increase from the current €8 (US$8) per person to €11 per visitor per day.

“This way, visitors will contribute to funding the city’s responsibilities,” stated Hester van Buren, the deputy mayor for finance. “This will help us tackle the impacts of over-tourism and allocate more resources for street maintenance and addressing urgent issues in various neighborhoods.”

According to the city of Amsterdam, the average nightly rate for a hotel room is €175 (US$185). Under the current system, a couple would pay €12.25 for the room plus €3 each, totaling €18.25 per night. With the new tax, their bill would rise to €21.80 (US$23).

Amsterdam has been actively working to manage tourism and discourage undesirable visitor behavior. Over the past year, the city has banned cannabis smoking in certain areas and shortened the operating hours for bars, clubs, and the Red Light District. In July, the city council decided to prohibit large cruise ships from the city center, as “cruise ships in the city center [do not align] with Amsterdam’s goal to reduce tourist numbers,” stated Ilana Rooderkerk, leader of the centrist D66 party that proposed the measure, in a statement.

Amsterdam isn't the only city to raise its tourism tax in recent years to address overcrowding. For instance, Venice’s city council recently approved a €5 entry fee for day visitors. Moreover, when Bhutan reopened after the pandemic, it announced a tripling of its visitor fee to $200 as part of its “High Value, Low Volume” tourism strategy (which has since been lowered to $100).