In the Catalan capital, the nightly rate for luxury hotels rises from the current 7.5 euros to 12 euros, an increase accentuated by the municipal surcharge allowed by the new legislation. In the rest of Catalonia, the maximum rate for luxury establishments increases from 3 to 4.5 euros, a figure that will remain until 2027. This measure, approved by the Parliament with the support of the PSC, ERC, and the Comuns, also foresees a progressive increase throughout the territory and allocates 25% of the collected revenue to housing policies.
In a context of continuous economic and social evolution, it is essential and urgent to adopt fiscal measures to respond to the housing emergency and sustainable tourism, and to ensure a fair distribution of the tax burden.
The decree-law, approved at the end of February, emphasizes the urgency of modifying the tax on stays in tourist establishments. Among the novelties of the regulation are the increase in the minimum tax, its gradual and differentiated application according to the type of accommodation, and the possibility for municipalities to apply surcharges, as is the case in Barcelona, where the new structure combines the Catalan rate with the municipal surcharge.
In five-star hotels in Barcelona, the total cost amounts to 12 euros per night. For four-star and superior hotels, the tax increases from 5.70 euros to 8.40 euros. Tourist-use homes will see their tax rise from 6.25 to 9.50 euros. Other establishments will pay 7 euros, while hostels will have a tax of 6 euros. Cruises are also affected, with taxes of 11 euros for stays under 12 hours and 9 euros for longer stays.
These rates are not final, as the Barcelona City Council can increase the municipal surcharge from four to eight euros. The council has already approved an annual increase of one euro up to a maximum of eight euros by 2029, meaning visitors to luxury hotels will pay a tax of 15 euros within three years.
In the rest of Catalonia, the increases are more moderate and apply to the general rate. Five-star and luxury hotels go from 3 to 4.5 euros per person per night, while four-star hotels increase from 1.20 to 1.80 euros. Tourist-use homes go from 1 to 1.75 euros, and other establishments from 0.60 to 0.90 euros. For cruises, the tax rises to 3 euros for long stays and up to 4.5 euros for short stays. The law foresees that from March 31, 2027, the maximum rate in the rest of the territory will increase to six euros.
The regulation also modifies the management of revenues, allocating 25% of the collection to housing policies of the Generalitat, and the remaining 75% to the Fund for the Promotion of Tourism.
The tourism sector has expressed its concern. Jordi Clos, president of the Barcelona Hotel Guild, fears a 'qualitative and endemic decline'. For his part, Santiago García-Nieto, president of the Business Confederation of Hospitality and Catering of Catalonia (CONFECAT), and the Tourist Apartment Association (ATA) in the Girona regions, believe that the price increase will make the Catalan tourism sector less competitive compared to the rest of Spain, calling the measure 'bad news for the country'.
The implementation of this increase was initially planned for May of last year, but the Government postponed it to process it as a bill. Finally, the Parliament Bureau agreed in December to process it urgently, and in January an agreement was reached between the PSC, ERC, and the Comuns.
