Krakow plotting to introduce tourist tax

Krakow has long been a favourite tourist destination in Europe, with people from across the world flocking to the Polish city to drink beer, eat traditional cuisine, and explore the art scene. The city has everything travellers want, from its extensive history to exciting contemporary exhibits, and it’s a cultural hub that welcomes ten million visitors a year.

Krakow is Poland’s most popular tourist destination, one fit for this time of year when the leaves turn brown, and people favour historic urban scenes over packed Balearic beaches. It now looks as if the city might be set to introduce a tourist tax, following other major European cities as they seek to get a handle on the masses that flock to their streets and make it worth their while to help the city run, particularly after the fallout from the pandemic, and the rising cost of living. 

Recently, Krakow’s city council voted to support a resolution that allows municipalities to charge a tourist tax. They have form for this; in 2014, one was briefly introduced but was reportedly suspended due to the city failing to meet specific environmental conditions.

Local authorities hope to bring the tax back to help pay for sustainable tourism projects that will improve local services. “The phenomenon of touristification of many attractive locations is becoming an increasingly serious problem,” says the council’s resolution, “Overtourism leads to tensions and social discontent in many places in Europe. The local community suffers from this … because residents increasingly feel like tourists in their own city.”

What other European cities have introduced a tourist tax?

Krakow is just the latest in a line of European cities looking to benefit from mass tourism to help with infrastructure and the lives of locals. In August, it was reported that Edinburgh is set to introduce a tourist levy, bringing it in line with the likes of Amsterdam and Berlin in the hope it will raise £50 million per year to be reinvested back into the city.

On the continent, the rise in tourist taxes appears to be a microcosm of the growing backlash against unfettered tourism.

Barcelona, Spain, is one of the most famous destinations to currently employ a tourist tax, which sits at €4 a day, with the nearby Balearic Islands charging €1. In neighbouring France, the tourist tax is based on municipal rates, ranging between 20p and £4.30 a night. In Berlin, they operate slightly differently, with the tourist tax 5% of the accommodation price.

In 2023, Manchester became the first city in the UK to trial tourist tax, charging £1 per night per room in selected hotels. It’s been a tremendous success and has raised nearly £2.8 million in just a year. The funds will go towards street cleaning, new events that will attract more tourists and training for security staff.