Venice has announced the extension of its day-tripper tax, with changes set to take effect from April 18, 2025, until July 27. The new system will see an increase in the number of days on which tourists must pay to enter the city, with the fee doubling to 10 euros for last-minute visitors. The tax, aimed at combating overtourism, will now apply on Fridays, weekends, and holidays, totaling 54 days during the specified period.
The tax will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and exemptions will be granted to residents, Venetian-born visitors, students, workers, and tourists with lodging reservations. The initiative seeks to manage the issue of overwhelming tourist numbers that Venice has been facing for years, with an estimated 25 to 30 million annual arrivals since 2020.
During the initial test phase last July, the tax generated 2.4 million euros, with approximately 1,000 entrances recorded on each test day. Italians made up 60% of visitors to the ticket website during that period, followed by U.S., German, and French citizens.
Despite criticism labeling the tax as ineffective, Venice Mayor emphasized the positive impact, stating that the city is the first globally to address overtourism in such a manner. The tax was introduced as a measure to prevent Venice from being listed as a world heritage site in danger by UNESCO, a fate narrowly avoided due to the city's efforts to manage tourism.
Previous measures, such as a ban on cruise ships in certain areas, have been implemented to alleviate the strain caused by mass tourism. The city continues to explore innovative solutions to strike a balance between preserving its cultural heritage and managing the influx of visitors.
