Edinburgh Launches 5% Visitor Levy Aimed at Raising £50 million Annually

On 24 July 2026 Edinburgh became the first Scottish city to impose a visitor levy on paid overnight accommodation. The 5 % charge applies to hotels, B‑&‑Bs, guest houses, short‑term lets and similar premises for a maximum of five consecutive nights. Council estimates the levy will generate up to £50 million each year, funds that must be reinvested in services used by visitors.

Revenue is earmarked for public‑space upgrades, additional street cleaning, a new city‑centre policing unit, affordable‑housing projects, cultural‑venue restorations and other infrastructure improvements. The scheme has drawn criticism from business and tourism groups, which warn of negative effects on visitor numbers and jobs, and from the arts sector—Scottish Ballet has cancelled shows and is seeking an exemption. Scottish Greens and the Scottish Tourism Alliance suggest the model could be rolled out to other councils, while some argue the tax may deter tourists.

Overall, the levy marks a significant policy shift in Scotland’s tourism funding, with both supportive and oppositional voices monitoring its early impact.