Tourists in Barcelona could be taxed as much as 15 euros ($17.70) a night after the city raised its tourism fee to one of the highest in Europe on Wednesday as part of efforts to curb visitor numbers and help finance affordable housing.

Reuters – Authorities in Catalonia have faced increasingly vocal protests from residents about excessive numbers of tourists they say are pushing up housing prices by driving a rise in short-term holiday lets.

The regional parliament of Catalonia approved a law to double the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum 12.5 euros per night, up from 6.25 euros, ahead of an already announced plan to ban all short‑term rental accommodation by 2028.

Hotel guests will pay a maximum of between 10 and 15 euros per night from April, up from a current 5 euros to 7.5 euros, depending on the hotel category.

A two‑night stay for a couple at one of the four-star hotels that make up nearly half of all hotels in Barcelona could now cost an extra 45.60 euros, as the local authority can charge up to 11.4 euros per night per person.