Australians travelling to Barcelona will soon have to pay more for their stay after the Spanish city moved to increase its tourist tax.
The tax on overnight stays will increase from €3.25 ($A5.25) to €4 ($6.45) per person per night following the Barcelona City Council’s decision on June 28.
Local officials want to go even further, and will urge the Catalan Government to allow an increase beyond €4.
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Barcelona collects €95 million ($A153m) from the tax each year.
But it spends about €142 million ($A229m) on tourist expenses, such as cleaning, security and additional transport, according to Catalan News.
The surcharge is expected to come into force in October.
Tourist taxes are common practice in holiday hot spots as they try to keep up with the economic and sustainability impacts of ‘over tourism’.
Bali introduced a foreign tourist surcharge in February as the so-called Island of the Gods moved to earn more revenue to spend on preserving local culture and natural environments.
In an effort to combat a high influx of visitors, Venice authorities launched a pilot program to charge daytrippers who enter the floating city during the high season from April to July.
That €5 ($A8) fee applies during 8.30am and 4pm on weekends until July 14, but does not affect visitors staying in Venice.
Authorities hope it will discourage holidaymakers from visiting on peak days, and make the city more liveable for its residents.
Amsterdam holds the title of Europe’s most expensive tourist tax and bumped the fee up again this year.
Tourists to The Netherlands’ capital now pay an average of €21.80 ($35 AUD) and €11 for cruise passengers ($18 AUD).
