The entry fee for tourists visiting Venice will be doubled, as announced by city officials. They stated that next year, the tourism tax on entry will be increased, along with the number of days tourists will be required to pay the fee. Day tourists who haven’t registered in advance will see their fee rise to 10 euros. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized that this tax is intended to help the city and its residents manage excessive tourism and prevent large influxes of visitors during busy holidays and weekends. Opposition voices, however, argue that it is ineffective and that Venice is slowly becoming a destination solely for wealthy tourists.
The payment system was launched earlier this year as part of a limited-time pilot program. Tourists staying overnight in the historic center are currently exempt from the fee, as they already pay a tourist tax. Under the new regulations, this tax will be applied every Friday through Sunday and on holidays, from April 18 to July 27, covering a total of 54 days. Tourists who book a day trip less than five days in advance will pay a 10-euro fee. This fee will apply during peak hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tourists found without the required documentation face fines. These fines range from 50 to 300 euros, with the maximum entry fee legally set at 10 euros.
Officials emphasized that the program’s goal is to reduce crowding on busy days, encourage longer stays, and improve the quality of life for residents. Experts say that Venice has long been strained by excessive tourism.
Authorities also revealed that the tax collected during the first testing phase in July reached 2.4 million euros, with approximately 1,000 bookings made on each test day. However, the opposition contends that the entrance fee has done little to curb excessive tourism. Opposition council member Giovanni Andrea Martini stated, “Data shows that, on average, about 7,000 more tourists arrived during the fee period than in previous years. This measure does not effectively reduce tourist numbers,” he insisted.