Basque Country rolls out tourist tax and shared e‑bike service

The three Basque capitals—Bilbao, Donostia‑San Sebastián and Vitoria‑Gasteiz—are finalising ordinances to introduce a new tourist tax that will take effect on 1 January 2027. Rates will range from €0.50 to €6.50 per night, with the highest charge applied to tourist‑housing units and five‑star hotels. Bilbao plans to collect about €12 million, while Vitoria‑Gasteiz will set the minimum rates in the band. The tax is expected to generate roughly €8 million in revenue for the region.

In parallel, Vitoria‑Gasteiz has launched the MugiBIKE shared electric‑bike system, operated by the temporary union Movus‑Fifteen. The service starts with 80 e‑bikes and 12 compact charging stations, aiming to boost sustainable mobility, cut CO₂ emissions and improve public health. The initiative reflects the city’s broader commitment to active transport and aligns with studies showing shared bikes could add millions of users and avoid thousands of tonnes of CO₂ across Spain.