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Top destinations including Spain and Croatia all have new rules tourists need to follow in 2023. The ETIAS visa waiver scheme will also be introduced later this year.

Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain’s most visited city, is set to hike tourist taxes in 2023. British tourists will need to pay more from April this year.

Currently, the Spanish city adds a second tax to the region tax, which is 1.75 euros (£1.55) per night.

All tourists that stay overnight in the city have to pay this tax, regardless of the type of accommodation.

The regional tax varies based on the type of accommodation a tourist is staying in, with luxury hotel guests paying the most.

Under the current guidelines, someone in a rented tourist apartment would pay 2.25 euros (£1.99) per night to the region while a five star hotel guest would pay 3.50 euros (£3.09) per night.

However, from April 1, 2023 the city tax will rise to 2.75 euros (£2.43) per night, regardless of the type of accommodation.

This will mean tourists will pay almost £1 more per night to visit Barcelona, adding £6.16 per person to a seven night stay.

In April 2024, the fee will surge again, rising to 3.25 euros (£2.87) per night from the first of the month.

While this has brought some complaints, Express.co.uk commenter ‘LuckeyDuck’ said: “If you can’t afford four euros, then you should consider staying at home in the UK.”

Valencia

Spain’s Valencia region has also announced plans to increase tourist taxes from the end of the year.

In December, local hotels will be able to choose whether to add a tax of 50 cents (44p) to two euros (£1.77) per night to the cost of a stay.

However, the tax will be optional and several popular resorts in the region have said they will never apply it.

Benidorm’s mayor has said the tax is against tourism and vowed that the resort won’t introduce it.

Croatia

Croatia joined the Schengen Zone on January 1, 2023. The Schengen area comprises 27 countries.

British tourists can spend 90 out of every 180 days in the Schengen Zone without needing a visa.

Previously Croatia had a separate 90 day limit but will now be included within the Schengen area.

The popular destination has also changed its currency to euros with the kuna only accepted until January 15.

ETIAS

From November, British tourists will need to apply for a visa waiver to travel to the EU for a holiday.

The ETIAS system has been designed to increase security at the EU borders and will be run digitally.

British tourists will be able to apply online with the majority of applications set to be approved the same day.

The ETIAS scheme will cost a small fee and last for three years or until a tourist’s passport expires.

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