A popular city in a destination loved by Brits is doubling its tourism tax. Those planning to visit Barcelona could end up paying up to €15 (£13) to help tackle the overtourism impacting the city, as well as fund affordable housing for local residents.

Spain is already one of the most visited countries in the world; however, the push back from locals concerned about mass tourism sweeping the country hasn’t seemed to stop travellers from jetting over, as Barcelona, one of Spain’s recognised cities, welcomed a huge 16 million tourists last year.

Barcelona residents say they are being priced out of their neighbourhoods due to a rise in short-term holiday lets for tourists. Though plans to ban all short-term rental accommodation by 2028 had previously been announced, reports Mail Online.

Ahead of the holiday accommodation ban, new rules set to be introduced in April, would see the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum of €12.5 (£10.98) per night, up from €6.25 (£5.49), making it one of the highest in Europe.

Those staying in hotels will soon have to pay between €10 (£8.79) and €15 (£13.18) per night, up from €5 (£4.39) and €7.50 (£6.59), and with those staying in four and five-star hotels likely paying the higher fee.

According to Reuters, 25% of the funds raised will be allocated to addressing Barcelona’s housing crisis. However, the rise has faced some backlash.

Hotel owners believe the tax increase could turn away future tourists. Irene Verrazzo, a 33-year-old nurse from Italy, told Reuters that she’s likely not to return to Barcelona following the tax rise.

She said: “I don’t think this added expense is fair. They already make money from tourists spending in shops, visiting their monuments, etc.”

On the other hand, Ivan Liu, a 21-year-old student and local resident, believes the rise is reasonable, but doubts it will solve the housing crisis.

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