Barcelona doubling tourist tax from next month

Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed €15 a night from April as the city doubles its tourism fee.

Visitors staying in hotels will pay the most, between €10 and €15 a night, up from €5 and €7.50, depending on the category of hotel they are staying in.

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Those who have rented a holiday home will have to pay a maximum of €12.50 a night, up from €6.25.

Cruise passengers will continue to pay around €6.

The decision by Catalan authorities comes as part of efforts to curb visitor numbers and make housing more affordable for locals.

Residents have argued that an excessive number of tourists and a rise in short-term holiday lets are causing house prices to rise.

The law enacting the tourist tax increase says a quarter of the revenue raised will be spent on the city's housing crisis.

Barcelona has already announced plans to ban all short-term holiday accommodation by 2028.