Edinburgh City Council has approved a Visitor Levy of 5% to be implemented from 24 July 2026, for stays booked and paid for after 1 October 2025.

Edinburgh Castle by night

From 24 July 2026, a 5% fee (plus VAT, where applicable) will be applied to the cost of overnight accommodation in Edinburgh, capped at five nights in a row. Stays from 24 July 2026 booked and paid for (in part or full) on or after 1 October 2025 are subject to the levy. The levy will be applicable at the same rate year-round across the council area.

The aim of the scheme is to sustain Edinburgh's status as one of the world's greatest cultural and heritage cities and to ensure that the impacts of a successful visitor economy are managed effectively.

The levy is projected to raise up to £50 million a year once established, for the city to invest in protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to live and visit.

© The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Introducing this ground-breaking visitor levy means realising a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest tens of millions of pounds towards enhancing and sustaining the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round.”

Neil Ellis, Chair of the Edinburgh Hotels Association, said: “Edinburgh Hotels Association welcomes the introduction of the visitor levy for its intended use of improving the experience of all visitors - local, national or international - through additional spending. This is a fantastic opportunity to further enhance Edinburgh’s reputation on the world stage as a must visit destination.”

Accommodation providers in Edinburgh will have a choice when to charge the levy. Some may charge in full when a reservation is made, some may charge visitors when they check in, or some may charge when visitors check out.

Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “Janet Redler Travel will work closely with its accommodation providers to help ensure that our clients are aware of the levy and that it is paid at the appropriate time, whether in advance by us, or by clients themselves, in order to minimise disruption for our visitors to Edinburgh.”

If you or your clients would like to find out more about how the levy will impact your planned trip to Edinburgh with us, please do contact our team today.

Tourist taxes elsewhere in the United Kingdom

England

Since April 2023, Manchester has implemented a City Visitor Charge of £1 (plus VAT, where applicable) per room per night for guests, added to accommodation costs.

Liverpool implemented a ‘City Visitor Charge’ of £2 per room, per night (excluding VAT) from 1 June 2025. 

Scotland

From 25 January 2027, Glasgow will levy a 5% charge on overnight accommodation for the full length of a stay in the city. The levy will apply to advance bookings made from January 2026 for stays on or after 25 January 2027.

Other areas of Scotland considering introducing a visitor levy include Aberdeen, Argyll and Bute, and Highlands Council.

Wales

The Senedd (the Welsh Assembly) has voted to give local councils in Wales the right to impose an overnight tax of £1.30 for guests in hotel accommodation. None have yet put in place concrete plans to do so, and implementation is reported to be unlikely before April 2027.

Note: the tourist taxes quoted above were correct at time of writing but are subject to change. Please contact us before finalising your trip if you would like more information.