Japan has announced a significant 400% increase in its tourist visa fees, a move that will see the cost of single-entry visas jump from 3,000 yen (£14) to 15,000 yen (£70) starting July 1. Multi-entry visas will also see a substantial rise, costing 30,000 yen (£140) compared to the previous 6,000 yen (£28).
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi cited inflation and exchange rate fluctuations as reasons for the adjustment, stating that the government does not anticipate an immediate impact on inbound tourism. This marks the first increase in Japan's visitor visa fees in 50 years.
This development comes as numerous popular tourist destinations globally are introducing or increasing tourist taxes. These measures are often implemented to manage the influx of visitors and generate additional revenue for local infrastructure and services.
In Europe, the Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, has one of the highest visitor fees on the continent. Tourists can expect to pay 12.5% on top of their hotel room costs, an increase from the previous 7%, along with an additional €3 (£2.60) per person per night. Cruise passengers face a separate day-tripper tax of €14.50 (£12.50) per person.
France allows municipalities to charge a "taxe de séjour" along with an additional city tax, which can range from 65 cents to €15.60 (55p to £13.50) per person, per night, depending on the accommodation's quality.
Barcelona, Spain, has doubled its tourism tax in an effort to curb overtourism and fund affordable housing. The regional parliament of Catalonia has raised the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum of €12.50 (£10.91) per night. Hotel guests will now pay between €10-€15 (£8.63-£13) per night, depending on the hotel's star rating. These new fees could add approximately €46.60 (£40) for a two-night stay for a couple in a four-star hotel. A ban on all short-term rental accommodation in the city is also planned by 2028. Vigo, in Spain's Galicia region, is set to introduce its own tourist tax in October 2026.
Greece has implemented a Climate Resilience Tax, charging visitors between €2-€15 (£1.75-£13) per room, per night, from April to October, depending on the hotel's star rating. This fee is reduced to 50¢-€4 (43p-£3.45) between November and March.
Italy, particularly Venice, has introduced a daily tourist tax of €5 (£4.35) for day-trippers, which was trialed over 54 selected days last year. Across Italy, tourist taxes can range from €1-€10 (86p-£8.63) per person, per night.
Further afield, New Zealand charges an International Visitor Levy of $100 (£43.35) for most visitors applying for a visa or electronic travel authority. This levy is intended to fund conservation and tourism infrastructure.
Indonesia, specifically the popular island of Bali, has imposed a levy of IDR 150,000 (£6.80) per person since February 2024. This fee supports the preservation of Balinese customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom.
Bhutan imposes what is described as one of the highest tourist taxes globally, with travelers from outside India paying $100 (£75) per person, per night. Indian visitors are charged INR 1,200 (£9.55) per person, per night, with discounts for children.