This popular city in the UK, famous for its world-class arts scene, stunning architecture, eerie ghost tours, and lush green spaces, is a top holiday spot for Britons.
However, visitors will soon have to pay an extra fee, as the Scottish city has confirmed the introduction of a tourist tax.
The Visitor Levy Scotland Act became law in September 2024, giving Scottish councils the power to charge a fee for paid overnight stays if they choose to do so.
The City of Edinburgh Council explained: "Anyone staying in paid, overnight accommodation in Edinburgh must pay the levy.
"This applies to tourists, business travellers, and anyone else visiting the city, including UK and Scottish residents."
The charge will apply to stays from 24th July 2026 onwards, with bookings made from 1st October 2025 also falling under the new rule.
Edinburgh’s tourist tax "will be set at the same rate every day of the year, indefinitely," meaning prices won’t increase during peak travel seasons.
Visitors will need to pay a five per cent fee on the cost of their accommodation for the first five nights of their stay.
The charge will be applied before VAT and will not cover extras such as parking, meals, drinks, or transport.
According to officials, the tax has been introduced to help "maintain Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest cultural and heritage cities."
The funds will be used to "support and develop" public services, cultural events, heritage sites, and the city’s tourism industry.
The levy will only apply to paid overnight stays away from a visitor’s home, ensuring that those without a permanent or safe place to live are not affected.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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