Holidaymakers wishing to travel to Italy next summer will have to pay to stay in certain parts of the country, UK officials have warned.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned that tourists hoping to visit Venice and its surrounding islands for less than two nights could be subject to a fee from summer 2023.
The charge could range anywhere from three to 10 euros depending on group size and it is not stated whether this is a daily or one-time payment.
In an update on Monday, a FCDO statement read: "Visitors to Venice and the surrounding islands for less than two nights are planned to be subject to for an entry fee between 3 and 10 euros from summer 2023.
"This will be payable via a dedicated website or through an app. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to 300 euros. Check with your travel operator before travelling."
Simone Venturini, Venice's councillor for tourism, had previously announced that the fee was to come into force on January 16, 2023, but the date of the launch has yet to be confirmed.
On November 11, Italy's Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said he still needs to "study" the proposal before it can be implemented, Il Globo reported.
He said: "I'll study (the fee proposals), I'll take an in-depth look at the issues, and then I'll express a definite point of view. In general, I say that the issue of overcrowding in art cities, which puts the cities themselves at risk, must be addressed.
"I will be able to say that only when I have studied the dossier in depth. Something, of course, must be done to ensure a lightening and compatibility of access to cities, also considering the legal problems related to the international mobility of people."
The fees will be subject to group sizes and there will be some exceptions. The Mirror reports that children, those with disabilities and Venice residents will not be subject to the fee.
The proposal has been in talks for many years and aims to combat over tourism of the iconic floating city.
Built on 118 small islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic sea and connected only via canals, it is famous for its romantic scenery, food and gondola rides.
However, the influx of tourists in recent years has put strain on its delicate infrastructure and has resulted in massive overcrowding.
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