Venice tourist tax: What you need to know

If you’re travelling to Venice, you’ll need to prepare more than just your itinerary. Many tourists, including UK visitors, are required to pay the Venice tourist tax.

In this short guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the tax, including how it works, how much it costs and who needs to pay it. We’ll also cover how Wise can help you, whether with paying the tax or making other purchases while travelling abroad.

The international Wise card can be used in 150+ countries, including Italy, letting you spend and withdraw cash like a local and at the mid-market exchange rate.

What is the Venice tourist tax?

The Venice tourist tax is a fee collected directly by your host that all overnight visitors must pay. However, there’s also the city access fee, which many people refer to as the tourist tax.¹

The tourist tax is only paid for the first five nights of your stay. Children under 10 years old and disabled people are exempt from paying the Venice tourist tax, as well as those accompanying patients receiving treatment at the city's health facilities.²

To promote responsible tourism, Venice has also introduced the access fee, which applies to visitors entering the Old City but not staying overnight. This fee is only paid on certain days between 8:30 and 16:00. So, you will pay either the access fee or the tourist tax, depending on your plans.¹

Certain categories of visitors are exempt from the access fee. These include children under 14, residents of Veneto, and those who study or go to school in Venice. People with disabilities are also exempt, as well as members of the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies.¹

How much is the tourist tax?

The Venice tourist tax is between €1 and €5 per person per night, depending on the time of year, the type of accommodation and its location. In addition to the exempt categories, there is also a 50% discount for children between the ages of 10 and 16.³

The access fee costs €5 per person, as long as you pay at least four days in advance. Otherwise, the fee will be €10.¹

How do you pay the tourist tax?

The Venice tourist tax is collected directly by the facility manager of your accommodation, whether it’s an apartment owner or a hotel manager. They are responsible for forwarding the tax to the city.¹

When it comes to paying the access fee, you’ll need to book your visit and make the payment at the Comune di Venezia official website or app. Once you’ve made the payment, you’ll be able to either download the voucher with a QR-code and booking code or choose to receive it via email.⁴

Since you'll be paying these fees in a different currency, using Wise could be a great solution. Wise converts your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate, with a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have euros in your Wise account. You can also use your Wise card to withdraw cash from ATMs in Venice too.

Tips for travelling to Venice

Before you head to Venice, here are some travel tips you might find useful:

• Use the vaporetto: Venice’s water bus service is the quickest and most affordable way to get around.
• Avoid tourist restaurants: Skip places with tourist menus and look for spots where locals dine.
• Prepare for acqua alta: If visiting in winter, pack rain boots for Venice’s seasonal flooding.
• Book attractions online: Save time and skip long queues by purchasing tickets in advance.

Travelling to Venice? Spend like a local with the Wise card

The Venice tourist tax is paid by tourists who plan on spending the night. The amount is between €1 and €5 a night, but it depends on the time of year and category of accommodation. If you’d only like to visit the city during the day, you’ll need to pay the €5 access fee.

And if you’re looking for a good option for spending in Venice, consider the Wise card. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend and withdraw like a local in Italy and 150+ more countries. You can also pay for train tickets, accommodation or the like while still in the UK.

Discover the Wise card

FAQs about the Venice tourist tax

Let’s go through some commonly asked questions about the Venice tourist tax:

Do you have to pay tourist tax in Venice?

If you plan to stay the night in Venice, you’ll need to pay the tourist tax. If you're just visiting for the day, you'll pay the access fee.

Is the tourist tax only in cash in Italy?

You should be able to pay the Venice tourist tax both in cash and by card, but it’s a good idea to check with your accommodation manager in advance.⁵

What happens if you don't pay tourist tax in Italy?

You’re required to pay the Venice tourist tax to your accommodation manager and this will be part of your bill. However, if you fail to pay the access fee and are caught during a random check, you could be fined up to €300, plus an additional €5 fee.⁶

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 03-Mar-2025