Barcelona port to cut cruise terminals and raise short‑stop tax for 2026

The Port of Barcelona has approved a plan to reduce its cruise‑terminal fleet from seven to five by the end of 2026. The closure of Terminal C will occur in late 2026, followed by the gradual shutdown of Terminals A and B from the second half of 2028. This will lower the daily passenger capacity from 37,000 to 31,000, capping the maximum daily flow at 31,000 travelers.

A new terminal is slated for completion around 2030 with a limit of 7,000 passengers. In parallel, a short‑stop tax on visits under 12 hours will rise to €30 per passenger, plus a municipal surcharge of €24. Cruises that stay longer than 12 hours are exempt, giving them a fiscal advantage.

In 2025, the port handled nearly four million cruise passengers – a record with a 12 % increase in the first seven months. French travelers planning departures for the 2026‑27 seasons are advised to verify the specific terminal at the time of booking, as the re‑organisation will affect embarkation points and available services.