Vienna Has Raised Its Tourist Tax: How Much Will You Have to Pay in 2026?

Staying in Vienna has become more expensive: the city has raised the tourist tax and plans to increase it again in 2027. Learn more about the new rates, how the tax is calculated, and additional costs when booking a hotel

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As of July 1, 2026, the tourist tax in Vienna increased from 3.2% to 5% of the cost of accommodation. This is not the final increase: as of July 1, 2027, the rate is set to rise to 8%.

The decision was made against the backdrop of record-breaking tourist numbers. In 2025, Vienna recorded 20.1 million overnight stays, compared to 8.8 million in 2005. City officials explain the increase in the tax as necessary to fund public transportation, tourism infrastructure, and municipal services. Representatives of the hotel and tourism industries, however, warn that the higher rate will make the Austrian capital more expensive compared to other cities in Central Europe.

Read also what tourists are most often fined for on the roads of Europe in 2026.

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How has the tourist tax in Vienna changed?

Until June 30, 2026, the tourist tax in Vienna was 3.2%. It was calculated based on the cost of accommodation excluding VAT and breakfast, and the tax base was additionally reduced by 11%.

- As of July 1, 2026, both the rate and the calculation method changed:

- The tourist tax rate has increased to 5%

- As before, VAT and the separately listed cost of breakfast are excluded from the cost of accommodation

- The 11% discount is no longer applied when determining the tax base

- Starting July 1, 2027, the rate is scheduled to increase to 8%

Thus, the actual increase in the tax is due not only to the rise in the rate from 3.2% to 5%, but also to the expansion of the base amount on which it is calculated. The tax is collected by the hotel, hostel, apartment owner, or other provider of short-term accommodations, who then remits the funds to the city. According to Vienna’s official regulations, guests who have been staying continuously in the same accommodation for more than three months are exempt from the tax.

In our previous article, we discussed unusual rules on European beaches: why tourists face fines of up to €36,000.

How much will tourists have to pay now?

The tourist tax in Vienna does not have a fixed rate: the amount depends on the cost of accommodations. The tax is calculated based on the room rate after excluding VAT and the separately listed cost of breakfast.

At the current rate of 5%, the tourist tax will amount to:

- €5 per night if the taxable room rate is €100

- €7.50 for a room costing €150

- €10 for a stay costing €200

- €15 for a room costing €300

For example, for three nights in a room with a taxable cost of €200, a tourist will pay an additional €30. After the rate increases to 8% in July 2027, the tax for a similar stay will rise to €48.

It is important to check the booking terms: depending on the hotel or service provider, the tourist tax may be included in the final total or paid separately upon check-in.

Breakfast is not included in the calculation only if its cost is listed separately.

In a previous article, we discussed which countries have strict restrictions on photography and how to avoid trouble while traveling.

Why did Vienna raise the tourist tax?

The main reason for the decision is the rapid growth in tourist traffic. In 2025, Vienna recorded 20.1 million overnight stays, setting a new record. By comparison, in 2005, this figure stood at 8.8 million. Over two decades, the number of overnight stays has increased by approximately 128%, while the population of the Austrian capital is about 2 million people.

City officials explain that tourists actively use public transportation, public spaces, and other infrastructure, the maintenance of which requires additional expenses. Revenue from the tax is planned to be directed toward the development of urban and tourism services, public transportation, and maintaining the quality of infrastructure.

The increase is also in line with Vienna’s strategy focused on so-called “quality tourism.” The city aims to attract visitors who stay longer and spend more, while limiting the negative effects of mass tourism. Authorities describe the new tax as a contribution by the tourism sector to the city’s upkeep, as hotels, restaurants, and tour operators are directly dependent on its infrastructure.

Practical tips for comfortable travel in the heat here.

Why are hotels and travel companies criticizing the increase?

The Austrian Hotel Association (OeHV) warns that after the rate is raised to 8%, Vienna will have one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe. In terms of the percentage rate, the city will trail behind Amsterdam, among others, where 12.5% is levied on the cost of overnight stays.

Hoteliers emphasize that, alongside the tax burden, costs for electricity, food, and labor are also rising. Businesses may pass on part of these additional costs to guests, making stays in Vienna more expensive compared to other Central European capitals. By comparison, in Budapest, the tourist tax is 4% of the room rate, while in Prague, a flat fee of about €2 per person per night is charged.

Tour operators also point to Austria’s €12 airfare tax. The combination of these fees could influence the choices of tourists and airlines. As an example, industry representatives cite Ryanair, which is expanding its presence in Bratislava—located about 60 km from Vienna—rather than increasing the number of direct flights to the Austrian capital. As a result, some travelers may opt for a cheaper flight to Slovakia and then travel to Vienna by ground transportation.

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