Edinburgh’s New Tourist Tax

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Starting mid-2026, Edinburgh’s rolling out a tourist tax. Yep, the Scottish capital is about to become the first city in the UK to do this. If you’re planning a visit and staying in hotels, hostels, apartments, or guesthouses, you’ll be charged an extra 5% per night—on top of what you’re already paying.

It’s Not Forever

Don’t freak out just yet. This tax only applies for the first five nights of your stay at the same place. Stay longer? You’re off the hook after day five.

Accommodation providers will handle the hassle of collecting the tax, so visitors just need to pay up when they settle their bill.

Why the Extra Charge?

Edinburgh’s a hotspot—almost 5 million visitors stopped by in 2023, spending a jaw-dropping £2.2 billion. But with all those people comes wear and tear on city resources.

Jane Meagher, head of Edinburgh City Council, says tourism puts serious pressure on the city, so they need extra funds to keep things running smoothly. The council expects this new tax to rake in around £45-50 million a year by 2028. That’s a lot of cash to invest in keeping the city fabulous.

Where’s the Money Going?

The money isn’t just going to sit there. By law, it has to be used to improve local facilities and services—stuff that both tourists and residents rely on. Think better public spaces, transportation, and amenities.

Some council members even wanted a higher tax to address the housing crisis. Turns out, affordable housing’s a big deal for folks working in the hospitality sector, where wages don’t always match rent prices.

How Did People Feel About This?

Not everyone’s on board. Residents and local businesses were consulted last year. About half agreed with the 5% rate, but 62% of visitors thought the tax was too high—or that it shouldn’t exist at all.

The tax originally had a seven-night limit, but it got trimmed to five after feedback from Visit Scotland and Edinburgh Festivals, who pointed out that festival workers and performers often stay for weeks at a time.

Edinburgh Joins the Club

Tourist taxes aren’t new in Europe. Cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Rome already do this. Now, Edinburgh’s joining the trend. Even Wales is planning to hop on the bandwagon with its own version soon.

Final Thoughts

Edinburgh’s new tourist tax might make your stay a tad pricier, but the goal’s to make the city better for everyone—tourists and locals alike. Whether you’re team “Tax the Tourists” or “Keep It Free,” one thing’s for sure: this move’s going to shake things up in Scotland’s capital.

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