Barcelona approves progressive tax increase for cruise ship passengers

The Barcelona City Council has approved an initial plan to increase the municipal surcharge for cruise ship passengers to manage tourism levels. This measure is a municipal supplement to the existing Catalan tourist tax managed by the Generalitat.

The surcharge will be implemented progressively. Starting in January, passengers will pay an extra 12 euros per day. This rate is scheduled to rise to 16 euros in 2028, 20 euros in 2029, and reach 24 euros by 2030. When combined with the standard 6 euro daily Catalan tourist tax, total daily costs for cruise passengers could reach 30 euros by 2030.

The city aims to disincentivize short-stay visitors who spend less than twelve hours in the city without staying overnight. If passenger numbers remain stable, the municipality estimates annual revenue of approximately 23.7 million euros starting in 2030. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat overtourism, which includes tightening regulations on short-term rentals and managing crowded areas.