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Barcelona Boosts Tourist Tax Amid Rising Protest Concerns

2/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Catalonia's authorities respond to rising protests over tourism in Barcelona by boosting the city's tourist tax on hotel guests.
Effective April, the tax rises to €10–€15 per night, doubling the rate to curb visitors and fund housing, with 25% allocated to housing.
Barcelona plans to ban short-term rentals by 2028.
Hotel owners fear the higher tax could deter tourists, who totaled about 15.8 million last year, risking the local economy.

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Story summary

Catalonia's authorities respond to rising protests over tourism in Barcelona by boosting the city's tourist tax on hotel guests.
Effective April, the tax rises to €10–€15 per night, doubling the rate to curb visitors and fund housing, with 25% allocated to housing.
Barcelona plans to ban short-term rentals by 2028.
Hotel owners fear the higher tax could deter tourists, who totaled about 15.8 million last year, risking the local economy.