Italy’s Bolzano Introduces Tourist Fee for Dogs

Tourists already pay a fee for visiting Italy’s Bolzano, but starting in 2026, their four-legged friends will have to pay up as well.

Travel Market Report has confirmed that the region of South Tyrol (Bolzano), Italy’s northern province, is considering a “special dog fee” for guests who travel with their dogs.

In an exclusive statement sent to TMR, the Bolzano Tourist Office confirmed that local authorities are considering implementing a tourist tax for dogs as well as an annual tax for locals who own dogs.

“There is no final decision yet – it’s still being discussed by local authorities,” said a Bolzano Tourist Office representative.

The measure is part of a broader and controversial initiative to regulate canine presence in the alpine destination. The plan is intended to help cover the costs associated with keeping streets and other public areas clean of animal waste.

“Unfortunately, dog waste is often not cleaned up, especially in tourist areas, which causes problems.
That’s why people are asking for a clear and practical solution,” explained the Bolzano Tourist Office.

According to CNN, the daily tax will be €1.50 (just under $2) per dog brought to the area by a traveler.

“This is a fair measure because it concerns dog owners exclusively,” said Provincial Councilor Luis Walcher. “Otherwise, sidewalk cleaning would be the responsibility of the entire community, when it must be said that the only filth on our city streets is dog waste.”

The news has already attracted criticism. Carla Rocchi, national president of Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali (ENPA)—Italy’s oldest and largest animal protection and welfare organization—criticized the decision as “shortsighted” and “unfair,” arguing that awareness campaigns would be more effective.

“This measure not only penalizes families and tourists who choose to travel with their dogs, but also sends a profoundly flawed message: turning animals into taxpayers’ cash machines,” Rocchi said in a statement.

Already, tourists pay a per-day fee to visit the region. In 2024, South Tyrol introduced a unified, regionally managed tourist tax system that charged a variable fee based on a hotel’s star rating. In 2025, that fee is €2.00 to €3.00 (~$2.35 to $3.50) per person, per day.