Spain does not have one single national tourist tax, but visitors may still pay tourist charges depending on where they stay. In 2026, the rules vary by region, city and municipality, which means a holiday in Barcelona, Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna or Mogan can involve extra charges that do not apply in Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Alicante or most of the Costa del Sol.
This is where many travellers get caught out. A headline about “Spain tourist tax” does not mean every destination in Spain charges the same fee. Tourist tax in Barcelona is very different from tourist tax in Madrid. Mallorca has a different system from Tenerife. Mogan in Gran Canaria is a local exception rather than a Canary Islands-wide rule. Galicia is also now part of the tourist tax picture, but only certain municipalities apply the relevant surcharge.
This updated 2026 guide explains where tourist tax applies in Spain, the approximate amounts visitors may pay, which regions and cities currently do not charge a general overnight tourist tax, and what to check before booking accommodation.
If you are visiting Spain rather than moving here permanently, you may also find our guides on what happens if you get sick on holiday in Spain and how much spending money UK tourists visiting Spain may need to prove useful.
In 2026, Spain does not operate one nationwide tourist tax. Instead, tourist charges are decided by individual Autonomous Communities and, in some cases, local councils.
The most important tourist tax areas in Spain are:
Many other major tourist destinations currently do not charge a general overnight tourist tax. This includes Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Costa del Sol, Benalmadena, Alicante, Valencia, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and most of Gran Canaria outside Mogan.
The charge is usually collected by your hotel, tourist apartment, holiday rental, campsite, cruise operator or accommodation provider. It may be included in the final price or collected separately at check-in or check-out.
Spain does not have a single national tourist tax. That is the key point.
Instead, some regions and municipalities charge visitors staying in tourist accommodation. Others do not. This means you need to check the specific destination, not just the country.
For example, Barcelona has one of the highest tourist tax charges in Spain. Mallorca charges the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax. A Coruna and Santiago de Compostela apply local tourist stay surcharges. Vigo is due to introduce its charge from October 2026. Mogan in Gran Canaria has its own municipal tourism charge. Madrid and Malaga, however, do not currently have a general overnight tourist tax.
So when people ask “does Spain have tourist tax?”, the correct answer is: some parts of Spain do, but most regions do not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays.
Tourist tax in Spain is regional and local. The most established systems are in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
Catalonia applies a tax on stays in tourist establishments. Barcelona adds its own city surcharge on top of the Catalan regional amount. The Balearic Islands apply the Sustainable Tourism Tax across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
Galicia has also become important, because some municipalities apply a local surcharge linked to tourist stays. A Coruna and Santiago de Compostela already apply charges, while Vigo is due to introduce its own from October 2026.
The Canary Islands do not currently have a general tourist tax across the whole region, but Mogan in Gran Canaria is an important exception because it has introduced a local charge connected to tourism activity.
Other regions may debate the idea, but discussion is not the same as an active tax. Spain is very good at having three committees, two press conferences and one argument before anything actually changes.
Barcelona has the highest tourist tax burden in Spain because visitors pay both the Catalan regional tourist tax and the Barcelona City Council surcharge.
From 1 April 2026, the combined Barcelona tourist tax rates are:
This can add up quickly. Two adults staying five nights in a Barcelona tourist apartment could pay €95 in tourist tax. In a 4-star hotel, the same couple could pay €84.
Visitors should always check whether the Barcelona tourist tax is included in the booking price or collected separately by the accommodation provider.
Catalonia charges tourist tax across the region, not only in Barcelona. This means visitors to places such as Girona, Tarragona, Lleida, Sitges, Salou, Lloret de Mar, Cambrils, Roses and the Costa Brava may also pay tourist tax.
Outside Barcelona city, the 2026 Catalonia tourist tax rates from 1 April 2026 are lower because the Barcelona municipal surcharge does not apply.
The main rates outside Barcelona are:
The Catalonia tax is normally charged per person per unit of stay, with a maximum of seven nights per person in the same accommodation over a continuous period.
The Costa Brava is in Catalonia, so visitors should expect Catalonia tourist tax rates to apply.
In practical terms, this means approximately €0.80 to €4.50 per person per night outside Barcelona, depending on accommodation type. Most standard hotels, campsites, tourist apartments and holiday rentals will fall somewhere within that range.
Visitors staying in Costa Brava resorts such as Lloret de Mar, Roses, Tossa de Mar, Blanes, Cadaques, Begur or Platja d’Aro should check whether the tax is included in the booking price or collected separately.
Salou and the Costa Dorada are also in Catalonia, so Catalonia tourist tax applies.
For ordinary tourist accommodation outside Barcelona, visitors should generally expect approximately €0.80 to €4.50 per person per night, depending on the accommodation category.
However, some establishments in special tourist recreation centres can attract higher rates, with figures reaching approximately €5.00 to €10.00 per person per night depending on the type and category of accommodation. Visitors staying near major resort or theme park areas should check the booking details carefully.
The Balearic Islands charge the Sustainable Tourism Tax, known locally as the Impuesto de Turismo Sostenible or ITS.
This applies across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It applies to several accommodation types, including hotels, tourist apartments, holiday homes, rural hotels, agrotourism stays, hostels, guesthouses, campsites and cruise ships.
The amount depends on the season and accommodation category. High season runs from 1 May to 31 October. Low season runs from 1 November to 30 April. VAT is added to the tax.
For stays between 1 May and 31 October, the main Balearic tourist tax rates are:
For stays between 1 November and 30 April, the tax is lower. The main low-season rates are:
Children under 16 are exempt from the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax. From the ninth day of a stay in the same establishment, the tax is reduced by 50%.
This means longer stays can become cheaper per night after the first eight nights, but the reduction depends on staying in the same establishment. If you move hotels, the count can restart.
Majorca, also commonly searched as Mallorca, charges the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax. There is no separate “Majorca tourist tax” different from the wider Balearic system.
In high season, rates generally range from €1 to €4 per adult per day, plus VAT, depending on accommodation type and category. Luxury hotels and higher-category tourist apartments pay more, while hostels, guesthouses and campsites pay less.
In low season, rates usually range from €0.25 to €1 per adult per day, plus VAT. Children under 16 are exempt, and from the ninth day of a stay in the same establishment the tax is reduced by 50%.
Ibiza also charges the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax. The rates are the same structure as Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera, based on season and accommodation category.
Visitors staying in hotels, tourist apartments, villas, holiday homes or other regulated tourist accommodation in Ibiza should expect the tax to be collected by the accommodation provider.
In high season, visitors should usually budget around €1 to €4 per adult per day, plus VAT. In low season, the charge is usually around €0.25 to €1 per adult per day, plus VAT.
Menorca charges the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax under the same regional system. Adults staying in tourist accommodation pay according to the season and type of accommodation.
In high season, the approximate charge is €1 to €4 per adult per day, plus VAT. In low season, it is usually €0.25 to €1 per adult per day, plus VAT.
Families should remember that children under 16 are exempt. Longer stays in the same accommodation may also benefit from the 50% reduction from the ninth day.
Formentera also applies the Balearic Sustainable Tourism Tax. The same basic rules apply as in the other Balearic Islands.
Visitors should generally budget around €1 to €4 per adult per day in high season, plus VAT, and around €0.25 to €1 per adult per day in low season, plus VAT.
Always check whether the tax is included in the booking price or collected separately on arrival. This is especially important for holiday rentals and smaller accommodation providers.
Galicia is now an important part of Spain’s tourist tax map. The region created a framework for a tax on tourist stays, and certain municipalities apply their own municipal surcharge.
The main Galician destinations visitors need to know about in 2026 are A Coruna, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo. The tax is not simply a flat region-wide fee paid everywhere in Galicia in exactly the same way. The practical amount depends on the city and accommodation category.
A Coruna applies a tourist stay charge of approximately €1.00 to €2.50 per person per night, depending on the type of accommodation.
The current A Coruna rates are:
The charge is generally calculated with a limit of five nights. The accommodation provider collects it from the guest and declares it to the council.
Santiago de Compostela applies a tourist tax of approximately €1.00 to €2.50 per person per night, depending on accommodation category.
The usual Santiago rates are:
The charge is especially relevant for visitors walking the Camino de Santiago who stay in private accommodation. Public Xunta-managed pilgrim hostels may be treated differently, so pilgrims should check the accommodation type before booking.
Vigo is expected to introduce its tourist tax from October 2026. The planned charge ranges from approximately €0.80 to €2.00 per person per night, depending on accommodation type.
The planned Vigo rates are:
The Vigo rollout is expected to be gradual. The first phase is reported to apply only to the first two nights until July 2027, before later expanding to a maximum of five nights per stay.
The Canary Islands do not currently have a general region-wide tourist tax in 2026.
This means there is no Canary Islands tourist tax equivalent to the Catalonia or Balearic systems applying automatically across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
However, Mogan in Gran Canaria is an important local exception.
Tenerife does not currently charge a general overnight tourist tax in 2026.
Visitors staying in hotels, apartments or villas in Tenerife should still check their booking conditions, but there is no Tenerife-wide accommodation tourist tax like the one applied in Mallorca or Barcelona.
That said, tourism rules in the Canary Islands can change, and some municipalities may discuss local measures. Always check directly with your accommodation provider before travelling.
Fuerteventura does not currently charge a general overnight tourist tax in 2026.
This means visitors staying in Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma, Morro Jable or other popular Fuerteventura areas should not currently expect a general tourist accommodation tax.
If a hotel or rental platform shows an additional local charge, ask the accommodation provider exactly what it is before paying.
Lanzarote does not currently charge a general overnight tourist tax in 2026.
Visitors staying in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Arrecife or other Lanzarote destinations should not currently expect a Balearic-style or Catalan-style tourist accommodation tax.
As with all Canary Islands destinations, check booking conditions carefully in case the property charges other fees such as cleaning, deposits or resort-style extras.
Gran Canaria does not currently have an island-wide tourist tax in 2026.
However, the municipality of Mogan has introduced a local tourism-related charge. This is why searches for “Gran Canaria tourist tax” can be confusing. The answer depends on where in Gran Canaria you are staying.
If you are staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, San Agustin or other areas outside Mogan, the Mogan charge should not automatically apply. If you are staying in Puerto Rico, Arguineguin, Taurito, Playa de Mogan or other parts of Mogan municipality, check with your accommodation.
Mogan, in Gran Canaria, is the main Canary Islands exception in 2026. The wider Canary Islands do not currently have a general regional tourist tax, but Mogan applies its own municipal tourism charge known as TATOS.
The charge started at €0.15 per person per day in 2025. The council has stated that the amount can fluctuate annually depending on occupied accommodation places and the cost of tourism-related services. It has also given examples of how a higher amount could be calculated for 2026 if greater tourism-related costs are budgeted.
For visitors, the practical rule is to check directly with the accommodation provider before booking in Mogan municipality. Do not assume the same charge applies across the whole of Gran Canaria.
This charge applies in Mogan municipality, which includes areas such as Puerto Rico, Arguineguin, Taurito and Puerto de Mogan. It should not be treated as a general Gran Canaria-wide tourist tax.
The Basque Country does not currently charge a general overnight tourist tax in 2026.
However, the region is preparing a tourist stay tax due to begin from 1 January 2027. The planned Basque tourist tax is expected to vary by accommodation type and municipality, with reported rates ranging from around €0.50 or €0.75 up to €7.50 per person per night in higher-category accommodation or municipalities applying surcharges.
For 2026 travellers, this means Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz and other Basque destinations should currently be treated as €0 general overnight tourist tax, but this is expected to change from 2027.
Madrid does not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
Visitors staying in hotels, hostels or tourist apartments in Madrid should still check the final booking price carefully, but there is no Barcelona-style city tourist tax currently in force.
This also means searches for “Madrid city tax” can be misleading. A hotel bill may include VAT or other charges, but Madrid does not currently operate a general accommodation tourist tax like Barcelona.
Seville does not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
Visitors staying in Seville hotels, hostels or tourist apartments should not currently expect a city tourist tax like Barcelona. However, Seville has experienced strong tourism pressure, so future discussions about visitor management are possible.
For now, if you see “Seville tourist tax” mentioned online, check the date carefully. Some older or speculative articles can make it sound as though a charge is already in force when it is not.
Malaga does not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
This applies to Malaga city and, more broadly, to Andalucia, which does not currently have a regional tourist accommodation tax like Catalonia, the Balearic Islands or the Galician municipalities applying local surcharges.
Malaga has seen major growth in tourism and short-term rentals, so housing and visitor pressure are live issues. But that is not the same as an active Malaga tourist tax.
The Costa del Sol does not currently have a general tourist tax in 2026.
This means destinations such as Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas, Estepona, Torremolinos and Benalmadena do not currently charge a regional overnight tourist tax.
Visitors should still check accommodation booking conditions, especially for cleaning fees, resort fees, deposits or local charges. These are not the same as a government tourist tax.
Benalmadena does not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
As part of Andalucia and the Costa del Sol, Benalmadena is not currently covered by a Balearic-style or Catalan-style tourist accommodation tax.
If your accommodation listing shows an extra fee, ask whether it is a cleaning fee, resort charge, deposit or booking platform cost rather than a local tourist tax.
Marbella does not currently charge a general tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
As with the rest of Malaga province and the Costa del Sol, there may be wider debate about tourism pressure, but visitors do not currently pay a general Marbella accommodation tourist tax.
The Valencia Region does not currently charge a general tourist tax in 2026.
A Valencian tourist tax had previously been approved, but it was repealed before coming into force. This means visitors to Valencia city, Alicante, Benidorm, Castellon and the wider Comunitat Valenciana do not currently pay a general regional tourist accommodation tax.
This is important because older articles and booking discussions may still refer to a planned Valencia tourist tax. As of 2026, that general regional charge is not in force.
Alicante does not currently charge a general tourist tax in 2026.
Because Alicante is part of the Valencia Region, the repeal of the planned Valencian tourist tax means there is no general overnight tourist tax currently applying to Alicante hotels or tourist accommodation.
The same broad position applies to Benidorm and much of the Costa Blanca, although visitors should always check individual booking conditions.
Benidorm does not currently charge a general tourist tax in 2026.
The previously planned Valencian tourist tax was repealed before coming into force, so Benidorm visitors do not currently pay a general regional overnight tourist accommodation charge.
If your hotel or apartment booking shows extra costs, check whether they are cleaning fees, deposits, resort charges or booking platform fees rather than an official tourist tax.
Andalucia does not currently charge a general regional tourist tax on overnight stays in 2026.
This means popular destinations such as Seville, Malaga, Marbella, Granada, Cordoba, Cadiz, Nerja, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos do not currently have a general tourist accommodation tax.
Tourism pressure is a political issue in several Andalusian destinations, but no general regional tourist tax is currently in force.
Toledo does not currently charge a general overnight accommodation tourist tax in 2026. However, the city does apply a tourist bus charge for discretionary coaches bringing visitors into the city and using authorised stop or parking points.
The official Toledo tourist bus charge is €25 per day for buses with 9 to 35 seats, €75 per day for buses with 36 to 54 seats, and €125 per day for buses with 55 seats or more. This is paid by the transport operator, not as a normal per-night hotel tax charged directly to every visitor.
For normal overnight tourists booking hotels or apartments, Toledo should not be treated like Barcelona, Mallorca or Santiago de Compostela unless your tour operator or accommodation provider clearly states that a separate charge applies.
As of 2026, the following popular regions and destinations do not currently have a general overnight accommodation tourist tax:
This list can change if regional or local governments introduce new charges, so always check with your accommodation provider before travelling.
For quick reference, these are the approximate tourist tax amounts visitors should expect in popular Spanish destinations in 2026:
These figures should be treated as practical visitor estimates. The final amount can depend on the accommodation category, booking dates, season, number of adults, exemptions and whether the tax is included in the booking price or collected separately on arrival.
The amount depends on destination, accommodation type, season, number of adults and length of stay.
Two adults staying five nights in a Barcelona tourist apartment could pay €95 in tourist tax based on the 2026 combined Barcelona rate of €9.50 per adult per night.
Two adults staying five nights in a 4-star hotel in Barcelona could pay €84 based on €8.40 per adult per night.
In Mallorca, two adults staying seven nights in a high-season holiday home would usually pay €28 before VAT, based on €2 per adult per day. With 10% VAT added, the total would be €30.80.
In Santiago de Compostela, two adults staying three nights in a 4-star hotel could pay around €12 in tourist tax, based on €2 per person per night.
In A Coruna, two adults staying three nights in a 5-star hotel could pay around €15 in tourist tax, based on €2.50 per person per night.
In Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Alicante, Valencia, Tenerife or Fuerteventura, the equivalent general overnight tourist tax is currently €0 because those destinations do not currently apply one.
Tourist tax is normally paid by the guest and collected by the accommodation provider.
The tax usually applies to adults staying in regulated tourist accommodation. Children may be exempt in some regions. For example, the Balearic Islands exempt children under 16.
Spanish residents can also be liable if they stay in tourist accommodation in a region that charges the tax. These charges are normally based on the stay, not simply on nationality.
Tourist tax is usually paid through your accommodation provider. Depending on the booking system, it may be included in the final price or collected separately at check-in or check-out.
It may appear as:
Always check your booking confirmation. If the tourist tax is not clear, ask the hotel or host before you travel.
Tourist tax often applies to short-term rentals and tourist apartments in regions that charge it. This is especially important in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Galician municipalities applying a local surcharge.
If you book through Airbnb, Booking.com or another platform, check whether the tourist tax is included in the price or collected separately by the host.
Short-term rental rules are also tightening across Spain, especially in cities and coastal areas affected by housing pressure. These rental rules are separate from tourist tax, but both can affect the final cost of accommodation.
If you own or rent out property in Spain, our guides to registering a short-term rental property in Andalucia and declaring property rental income in Spain may also help.
No. Tourist tax is not the same as ETIAS, visa fees, airport taxes or border-entry requirements.
Tourist tax is usually charged by the accommodation provider for staying overnight in a particular region or municipality. ETIAS, when fully implemented, will be an EU travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers entering the Schengen Area.
They are separate costs. A traveller may need ETIAS to enter Spain and still pay tourist tax if staying in Barcelona, Catalonia, Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna, Vigo or Mogan.
For more information, read our guide to ETIAS for Spain.
If your trip to Spain is turning into a longer stay, tourist tax is only one small part of the planning. Once you start thinking about residency, visas, healthcare access and long-term accommodation, private health insurance may become important.
HealthPlanSpain can help you compare Sanitas health insurance options for people moving to Spain, applying for residency or arranging visa-compliant private medical cover.
View health insurance options for residency and visa applications in Spain
Spain’s tourist tax system in 2026 is regional, uneven and easy to misunderstand. Barcelona and Catalonia have clear tourist tax rules, while the Balearic Islands continue to apply the Sustainable Tourism Tax across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
Galicia now needs closer attention because A Coruna and Santiago de Compostela apply tourist stay charges, while Vigo is due to introduce its own from October 2026. The Canary Islands do not currently have a general regional tourist tax, but Mogan in Gran Canaria is the important local exception.
Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Costa del Sol, Benalmadena, Marbella, Alicante, Valencia, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote currently remain free of a general overnight tourist tax. The Basque Country should also be treated as €0 for 2026, although a tourist stay tax is planned from 2027.
The safest approach is simple: check your destination, accommodation type and booking conditions before travelling. Tourist tax is rarely the largest cost of a trip, but it is one of the most annoying if it appears as a surprise at reception.
Catalan Tax Agency: Tax on stays in tourism establishments
Illes Sostenibles: Sustainable Tourism Tax calculator
Balearic Tax Agency: Tax on tourist stays
A Coruna Council: Municipal surcharge on tourist stays
Santiago Tourism: Tax on tourist stays
Treintayseis: Vigo tourist tax approval and rates
Europa Press: Vigo tourist tax from October 2026
Mogan Council: Municipal charge for tourism activity
Mogan Council: Approval of tourism activity charge
Orain: Basque tourist tax planned from 2027