Spain, Greece and Portugal tourist tax explained and what visitors will pay

Many British travellers thinking about a holiday this Easter, over summer or later in the year should be ready for higher costs.

Huge numbers of people from the UK are expected to travel overseas in 2026, but the price of going abroad continues to rise.

Some holidaymakers may face surprise charges because tourist taxes have been brought in across many well known resorts and popular destinations.

Greece charges a high season tourist tax that runs from April to October. This costs eight euros per room each night.

For anyone staying seven nights, that adds up to an extra 56 euros per room. Outside of the busy season, the daily charge drops to two euros per room.

In Spain, there is no single tourist tax across the whole country. However, visitors staying in Barcelona must pay both a regional tax and a city tax, which together cost four euros per night.

The regional charge depends on the type of place you stay in. Guests in a four-star hotel pay an extra €1.70 per night.

Those staying in private rentals such as Airbnb pay €2.25, while five-star hotels charge €3.50 per night.

If you travel outside Barcelona to other parts of Catalonia, only the regional tax applies.

Five-star hotels charge three euros per night, four-star hotels cost €1.20, and other accommodation ranges from 60 cents to one euro per night.

Anyone heading to the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera, will also need to budget for a green tax. Consumer group Which? says visitors in five-star hotels pay four euros per person per night.

The charge gets lower depending on where you stay. Four-star hotels cost three euros, three-star hotels charge two euros, and those staying in cheaper hotels or campsites pay one euro per night.

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