This Spanish city will introduce a tourist tax in October 2026

Vigo, a major port city in Spain, will introduce a tourist tax of up to €2 per night from October 2026, as local authorities move to regulate visitor inflows and generate revenue from tourism.

The tax will apply to both overnight visitors and cruise passengers, though it will be rolled out in phases, according to a report by The Independent. Tourists visiting this summer will not be affected.

Phased rollout and varying rates

According to the local government, the charge will initially apply only to the first two nights of a stay until July 1, 2027. After that, the tax will extend to a maximum of five nights per visit, as reported by The Independent. Cruise passengers will be brought under the system from July 1, 2027.


The amount payable will vary based on accommodation type. Visitors staying in five-star hotels will pay the highest rate of €2 per night, while those in three- and four-star properties will be charged €1.60. Guests in lower-category hotels and cruise passengers will pay €1.20 per night, while hostels, campsites and tourist apartments will be charged €0.80.

Residents of Vigo will be exempt from the tax. Authorities have also provided exemptions for certain categories of visitors, including those travelling for health reasons, participants in sporting events, and individuals staying in social housing. Young people, persons with certain disabilities and those on subsidised social programmes will also not be required to pay the tax.

The move places Vigo among a growing list of Spanish destinations introducing visitor levies. Regions such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands already impose similar charges.

In Barcelona, tourists pay both a regional and city-level tax, with rates ranging between €10 and €15 per person per night following a recent increase in April.

Officials said the measure aims to balance tourism growth with local needs, as European destinations continue to adopt fiscal tools to manage visitor pressure.