Barcelona proposes tax increases for hotels and cruise ships

The Barcelona City Council, led by Mayor Jaume Collboni, has proposed new fiscal ordinances aimed at increasing tax pressure on the hotel and cruise ship sectors. The plan includes raising the Property Tax (IBI) for the leisure and hospitality sector from 1.17% to 1.3% by 2027, targeting the top 10% of properties by cadastral value, such as large hotels and shopping centers. This measure is expected to double annual revenue from this sector to eight million euros.

Additionally, the municipality plans to increase the progressive municipal surcharge for cruise ships making short stops at the port from five to twelve euros starting next year. This adjustment aims to double the revenue from this tax to 4.5 million euros in the coming term, with a long-term goal of reaching approximately 22 million euros by 2030. Other taxes for families and workers are expected to remain frozen, and the proposal includes technical bonuses for installing photovoltaic solar panels.