Scotland’s Edinburgh To Levy Tourist Tax From 2026 & Here’s All You Need To Know About It

If you are planning to visit Scotland and explore the country’s rich culture, dramatic natural landscapes, historic castles, and sip on some Scotch whisky, then we have some news for you all. Edinburgh is set to make history as the first city in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax, starting in 2026. Scroll on to know how this tax will affect you and if other Scottish cities are planning to introduce a similar tourist tax.

Edinburgh Rolls Out Scotland’s First Tourist Tax

According to the BBC, the Edinburgh tourist tax will apply to visitors staying overnight in the city. Tourists visiting the Scottish capital will be charged 5% of the room rate on all accommodation bookings made for stays after July 24, 2026. It is to be noted that if you have already booked and paid for your accommodation in the Scottish capital for next summer, then you will not have to pay the tax.

However, for all bookings made after October 1, visitors will have to fork out an extra 5% on top of their hotel bill. This levy applies to stays after July 24, 2026. Furthermore, it will be charged only on the first five nights of the tourist’s stay. So, if you’re staying in Edinburgh for three nights, say at a £200-per-night hotel, then you will have to pay an additional £30 for the stay.

As per reports, the city authorities plan to reinvest the tax money towards supporting local services and infrastructure that will benefit both residents and visitors.

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Other Scottish Cities May Follow Suit

Following Edinburgh’s move to introduce a tourist tax, other Scottish destinations are also expected to adopt similar measures in the coming years. In fact, as per the BBC report, Aberdeen and Glasgow have also agreed to introduce a similar tourist tax. So far, Orkney and Shetland have said no to this idea.

This move comes after the Scottish Parliament passed legislation in 2024, allowing its 32 local councils to introduce a visitor levy. The overnight stay tax will be determined by individual city councils, giving them the authority to decide both the rate and the system for collecting it.

Also Read: Indian Tourists Travelling To Switzerland Need To Follow These New Schengen Visa Rules; Details Inside

Tourist taxes have become a new normal in Europe to control overtoursim. What are your thoughts on this new tourist tax introduced by Edinburgh?

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons