Edinburgh Plans to Introduce a Tourist Tax

Edinburgh is the latest European city to move forward with plans to charge a tourist tax. 

City councilors of the popular Scottish destination have approved a 5% tourism fee that would go into effect in 2026. It would be the first city in Scotland to implement a visitor levy. 

The tax would apply to those paying to stay in hotels, bed & breakfasts, hostels, and AirBnb rentals, but excludes campsites.  

Officials expect the tax to generate 50 million euro per year that would go toward affordable housing, improving public spaces, and the arts. 

Now that the tax measure is approved by the city council, it will move to a 12-week consultation period, where residents can argue whether 5 percent is too much or too little to combat impacts of tourism in the area.