New 2025 Tourist Tax for Holiday Homes in Catalonia

The Government of Catalonia has recently approved a decree (Decree Law 6/2025) that includes a significant increase in the tourist tax starting in 2025. Although it still needs to be ratified by Parliament, all signs point to the new rates being implemented in the coming months.

What exactly is changing?

If you own a registered holiday home (tourist rental property) outside the city of Barcelona, the tourist tax will rise from the current €1 to €2 per person per night (excluding VAT). On top of this, local councils will now have the authority to apply an additional surcharge, a system that, until now, was only used in Barcelona. As a result, the total amount paid by guests may vary depending on the municipality.

How does this affect you as a property owner?

Although the tax is paid by the guest, as the property owner you are responsible for:

• Collecting the amount at the time of booking or check-in.

• Reporting and paying the tax to the Catalan Tax Agency.

• Keeping a clear and updated record of payments received.

This change represents an increased administrative burden, especially if your local council decides to apply a municipal surcharge.

Where will the money go?

One notable change is that 25% of the revenue from this tax will no longer go toward tourism promotion, but instead toward housing policies, including the construction or renovation of homes for social use. This measure aims to balance the impact of tourism with the needs of local communities.

Our Recommendation

If you manage your property independently, we recommend:

• Reviewing your current system for collecting and reporting the tax.

• Keeping an eye on communications from your local council, as they may introduce additional surcharges.

• Clearly informing guests of the total tourist tax before their arrival.

If you're a client of Els Majordoms, you don’t need to worry: we handle the entire process for you—ensuring compliance with current regulations, clear communication with guests, and proper reporting of all amounts.

Want to stop worrying about changing regulations and focus on enjoying the benefits of your holiday home?
Get in touch and we’ll explain how we can help.