The Italian parliament approved the government’s 2019 budget last Dec. 29, authorizing Venice to apply an entry tax charging tourists between €2.50 and €10 (P150 and P600; about $2.80 and $11.45), depending on the season, to discover the Italian city.

After being on the cards for a while, Venice is now authorized to charge tourists visiting the city an entry tax, like its neighbors Elba Island and the Aeolian Islands. Conceived as a means of restricting mass tourism, this tax will vary in relation to different periods of the year.

The minimum charge of €2.50 per person is expected, with the fee ranging up to €5 (P300 or about $5.70) or even €10 per person in high season, Italian media reports. It is not yet known when the entry tax will start being applied.

Visitors are already subject to a tourist tax when they spend at least one night in Venice. A key calling point for many European cruises, passengers visiting the Italian city previously escaped such charges, but will now be eligible for the day-trippers’ levy. Note that the entry tax will not be added to the existing tourist tax.

Venise welcomes an average 30 million visitors each year. JB

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