Britons face new tourist tax at popular European holiday spot

Iceland waterfall

Iceland is set to introduce a new charge

PEXELS
Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 26/09/2023

- 09:28

Updated: 26/09/2023

- 15:33

Iceland is set to charge any tourists staying in the country. The tax follows in the footsteps of other European countries

Tourists from the UK and across the world will soon need to pay up when visiting Iceland.

The tax has been confirmed as a means to help reach sustainability goals.


Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said: "Tourism has really grown exponentially in Iceland in the last decade and that obviously is not just creating effects on the climate."

He explained the charge is expected to support the climate with anyone staying in Iceland expected to pay.

Tourism in Iceland

Iceland can be an expensive place to visit so holidaymakers should keep the additional tax in mind when making plans.

The cost of the charge has not been confirmed but it is not expected to be high.

"We have announced that we are putting increased taxes on tourism in Iceland," Jakobsdóttir added.

"Not high taxes to begin with, but we are talking about city taxes, etc, for people who stay in Iceland."

The Prime Minister previously encouraged people to visit Iceland less often but for a longer time.

This was done in a bid to cut back on the effects on the environment of a constant influx of travellers.

Iceland is not the first tourist hotspot to put a tax on Britons visiting.

Venice shared plans to install a daily tax for anyone over 14.

Iceland Northern lights

All visitors staying in the city will be charged

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The tax would be introduced as a trial to begin with.

This would cost €5 (around £4.29) per day spent in Venice.

When travelling by plane, holidaymakers may have noticed a change in their seating.

An expert claimed airlines are making seats "smaller and more cramped" as comfort on flights comes at a "high cost".

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