Overview
- The new Catalan law, which took effect Wednesday, raises the base per‑night tax across all lodging types.
- Rates rise in two steps, with top categories capped at €4.50 per night until March 31, 2027 before climbing to €6 from April 2027.
- All municipalities can now add a local surcharge of up to €4 per night that stays in city coffers, with room to vary by zone or season, though most outside Barcelona are not applying it this year.
- In Barcelona the combined charge can reach €12 per night for five‑star hotels, €9.50 for tourist flats, and up to €11 for short cruise calls after the city set a €5 local add‑on.
- The government plans to direct 25% of new revenue to housing policies and 75% to a tourism‑promotion fund, as industry group Federatur and opposition parties warn families will face higher holiday costs.