Venice could significantly raise the cost of accessing its historic city center for day-trippers starting in 2027. A fee of up to €30 on particularly busy days is under consideration. Officials are also discussing extending the number of days subject to the charge and increasing the overnight tourist tax.
After three years of testing, Venice plans to overhaul its day-tripper fee system starting in 2027. Michele Zuin, the city councilor responsible for the budget and taxation, signaled a substantial increase in an interview with the Italian daily Il Gazzettino. Zuin cited up to €30 as a possible fee, noting that amounts as high as €50 had previously been discussed. In his assessment, the current rates of €5 and €10 no longer have the desired effect on days with particularly heavy visitor traffic.
According to the City of Venice’s official website, the relevant authorities must first decide whether to continue the access-fee system after the trial period ends in 2026. Finalizing the new rules will also require consultations with the Italian government and parliament.
Higher Fees Aimed at Managing Visitor Numbers
Zuin said the proposals are primarily intended to manage day-trip tourism. The fee is not designed chiefly to generate additional revenue for the city, but rather to encourage visitors to avoid the busiest days. A significantly higher charge could apply when large crowds are expected. May 1 was cited as one example. The city hopes the measure will have the greatest impact on short-term tourism, particularly visitors who come for the day without staying overnight.
2026: Access Fee Applied on 60 Days
The system was in effect on a total of 60 days in 2026. During those days, access to the historic city center was subject to a fee from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee was €5 in 2026 for visitors who paid in advance. Those who waited until the final days before their visit had to pay €10. The rules applied only to the historic city center; numerous smaller islands in the Venetian Lagoon were exempt.
Fee Period Could Be Extended
In addition to raising the fee, officials are considering extending the period during which it applies. In 2026, the program was largely limited to the months of April through July. According to Zuin, one of the options under consideration for 2027 is to expand the number of days covered by the fee. Representatives of the hotel industry have also called for a longer fee period. At the same time, the city must account for the additional costs of enforcement, staffing and police resources that would come with adding more fee-paying days.
Overnight Tourist Tax Also Under Consideration for an Increase
Day-trippers may not be the only visitors facing higher costs. The city is also considering an increase in its existing overnight tourist tax, with luxury hotels a particular focus. According to media reports, the tax for guests staying at five-star hotels could rise to as much as €8 or €9 per person, per night.
The proposed changes would target two distinct groups of visitors: day-trippers, through the access fee, and overnight guests, through the existing tourist tax.Several options remain on the table, including a higher flat fee, variable pricing based on expected visitor numbers, additional days subject to the charge, or a combination of these measures.
Venice’s official payment and registration portal is the Contributo di Accesso portal: