Barcelona Moves to Increase Cruise Passenger Taxes Amid Overtourism Concerns

Barcelona, a bustling European tourist hub, is taking steps to address the impact of cruise tourism on its city. Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced plans to accelerate the implementation of a significant tax hike for cruise passengers.

Currently, cruise passengers pay $4.65 (4 euros) per night when docking in Barcelona. The proposed increase would double this rate to $9.30 (8 euros) per night. This move was initially planned to be phased in over four years, but Mayor Collboni is pushing for immediate enforcement.

The increased tax aims to discourage short-stay cruise visitors, with Collboni expressing a desire to eliminate these brief visits entirely. According to El País, a Spanish newspaper, Collboni stated, “Tourism must serve the city, not the other way around.” The plan is part of broader efforts to manage overtourism in Barcelona.

“We want quality tourism,” Collboni said. “That is why we are renewing the Fira de Barcelona and focusing on attracting business visitors. Mass tourism is not desired, and we will phase out tourist apartments by 2028.”

Collboni has also announced his intention to run for re-election in May 2027, advocating policies that limit overtourism and reduce right-wing influence in the city’s governance.

Barcelona has been actively addressing the challenges posed by mass tourism. In a move to limit cruise ship arrivals, the city council decided to reduce the number of terminals from seven to five starting in 2024. Additionally, Barcelona nearly doubled its visitor tax in March, placing it among the highest in Europe. The hotel guest tax now stands at $10 to $17 per person per night, while holiday rental taxes increased to approximately $14 per night.