Travelers Visiting This Popular European City Will Be Hit With a 12.5% Tourism Tax in 2024

If you like to travel internationally and spend time in Europe, you'll want to know about this news. Officials in Amsterdam, a popular tourist destination in The Netherlands, recently approved a measure to increase the city's tourist tax to 12.5% starting in 2024. Any tourists visiting the city by cruise ship or spending the night will be subject to this tax.

Tourists will soon pay more when visiting Amsterdam

Over-tourism is a continued problem worldwide. Increasing tourist taxes is one way some popular destinations deal with the negative growing impacts of over-tourism. Amsterdam, which sees more than 20 million visitors per year, recently announced its 2024 budget. 

In 2024, tourists will help boost funding for the city by paying an increased tourist tax. Visitors will be charged a 12.5% tourist tax starting next year. This additional expense is something that travelers should consider and budget for before visiting.

In a statement about the news, Hester van Buren, Amsterdam's deputy mayor of finances, said, "Visitors will thus help to pay for the City to carry out its tasks. This allows us to address the consequences of over-tourism and direct additional resources to keeping the streets clean and solving acute problems in neighborhoods and districts."

Since 2020, visitors have been paying a 7% tax, plus an additional 3 euros per night, per person fee when booking a hotel. But that will soon change. According to a statement from the city, the average room rate is 175 euros per person (about $185). Tourists can expect to pay 15.25 euros to 21.80 euros per night in taxes in 2024 when booking a hotel. A stay that costs about $16 per night in tourist taxes would cost about $23 per night next year. 

As mentioned earlier, cruise goers will also be subject to a tourist tax, though they'll be taxed differently than overnight guests. Cruise ship passengers can expect to pay 11 euros instead of 8 euros per day next year -- or about $11.62 instead of $8.45. 

Plan for additional costs when visiting international destinations 

While the increased tax may not sound like a lot, it will add up if you plan to spend several days in Amsterdam. Before taking a vacation, establishing a vacation budget can help you avoid overspending. You can regularly set money aside in a savings account to prepare for the cost of an upcoming trip so you feel less financial stress when it's time to depart.

In addition to budgeting for accommodation, transit, food and drinks, and activities, you should research other potential costs. Tourist taxes are one such example. Many European destinations impose a nightly tourist tax when you book a hotel. This non-optional fee may need to be paid separately at check-in.

Another additional cost to consider before leaving the country is foreign transaction fees. If you plan to use a credit card when traveling abroad, you should make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees in your wallet. 

Using one of the best travel credit cards that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees can be an excellent way to save on extra costs when traveling internationally. Otherwise, you may pay a fee of 3% or more every time you swipe your credit card while adventuring abroad. Every extra charge adds up and could make your credit card bill more costly. 

Keep your finances top of mind

Whether you're going about your everyday affairs at home or traveling the world, it pays to keep your finances in mind. By making the best financial decisions possible, and planning ahead for future costs, you can maintain good financial health. Check out our free personal finance resources to learn more about what you can do to improve your finances.