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Vienna has significantly increased its tourist tax, ranking as the city with the second highest tax in Europe, after Amsterdam. The decision comes at a time when the Austrian capital is registering a steady increase in the number of visitors.
According to Austrian media, the number of overnight stays in Vienna has increased from 8.8 million in 2005 to over 20 million in 2025. The authorities aim to secure more revenue from tourism through the tax increase.
Since July, the tourist tax has increased from 3.2% to 5%, while next year it is expected to reach 8%.
The decision has been met with opposition from the hotel industry. The Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) warns that the tax increase could reduce Vienna's competitiveness as a tourist destination.
"Damaging the resource from which we expect to benefit is never a good idea," said ÖHV spokesman Martin Stanits, noting that hotels are already facing rising costs for energy, wages and supplies.
According to t-online, with the new rate, Vienna ranks behind Amsterdam, which applies a tourist tax of 12.5%.
Travel agencies have also expressed concerns. Their head in Austria, Gregor Kadanka, argues that, in addition to the tourist tax, the sector is also burdened by other fees, including a 12-euro tax on airline tickets. According to him, this could encourage low-cost airlines such as Ryanair to move some of their operations to Bratislava, which is about 50 kilometers away and offers lower costs.
On the other hand, the city administration defends the decision. Isabelle Rauter from WienTourismus told Heute that visitors benefit from Vienna's high-quality infrastructure and services, so it makes sense for them to contribute to their maintenance and development.
According to the authorities, the additional tax revenue will be invested in improving tourist and urban infrastructure, with the aim of the benefits being reflected both in the economy and for the city's residents.
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