Tourist Tax in Girona Is Going Up: Here's What You Need to Know as a Guest
If you're planning a stay in a holiday rental in the province of Girona in 2026 or beyond, there's one small but important change to be aware of: the tourist tax rate is increasing.
Don't worry, it's not a charge from us, it's nothing complicated, and we'll handle everything for you. But we believe in being upfront with our guests, so here's a clear breakdown of what's changing, when, and what it means for your stay.
What Is the Tourist Tax?
The tourist tax (Impost sobre les Estades en Establiments Turístics, or IEET) is a mandatory levy set by the Generalitat de Catalunya. It applies to anyone staying in tourist accommodation in Catalonia, hotels, apartments, rural houses, and holiday rentals alike. It's not a charge from Els Majordoms; we simply collect it on behalf of the Agència Tributària de Catalunya.
If you've stayed with us before, you'll already be familiar with it. If this is your first time, welcome, and rest assured it's all very straightforward.
Browse our properties in rural Girona, from farmhouses in La Garrotxa to manor houses near Banyoles. Book direct and get the best rate guaranteed.
What Are the New Rates?
The Catalan government has introduced a phased increase to the tourist tax, with new rates taking effect from 1 April 2026 and again from 1 April 2027.
For accommodation in Girona Province (where all our properties are located), the rates are as follows:
Holiday rentals (ET4):
Until 31 March 2026: €1.00 per person, per night
1 April 2026, 31 March 2027: €1.75 per person, per night
From 1 April 2027: €2.50 per person, per night
Rural tourism properties (ET3):
Until 31 March 2026: €0.60 per person, per night
1 April 2026, 31 March 2027: €0.90 per person, per night
From 1 April 2027: €1.20 per person, per night
The tax applies to each guest aged 17 or over, for each night of the stay, up to a maximum of 7 nights per booking. Children aged 16 and under are exempt.
Good to know: The new rate applies to all stays with an arrival date on or after 1 April 2026, regardless of when you booked or paid. If you booked before April 2026 but arrive on or after that date, you may notice a change in the tourist tax amount.
A Quick Example
Let's say you're booking a holiday rental in Girona for 2 adults, arriving after 1 April 2026, for 5 nights:
2 people × 5 nights × €1.75 = €17.50
For stays longer than 7 nights, the tax is only calculated on the first 7 nights:
2 people × 7 nights × €1.75 = €24.50 (regardless of how many more nights you stay)
How Is the Tourist Tax Collected?
How we collect the tax depends on how you booked your stay:
Direct booking (through our website): The tourist tax is included in the first payment of your booking. It's clearly itemised in your booking confirmation, no surprises.
Platform booking (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.): We're unable to collect the tax at the time of booking via these platforms. Instead, we'll collect it on the day of your arrival, together with the security deposit, through our secure Guest Area.
Either way, the full amount is always stated clearly before you pay.
Why Is the Rate Going Up?
The increase is part of a broader reform of Catalonia's tourist tax framework, introduced to fund sustainable tourism development and local infrastructure. The phased approach, with increases in 2026 and again in 2027, gives both accommodation providers and guests time to plan ahead.
For context, Girona Province still applies the general Catalan rate with no additional municipal surcharges. (Barcelona city, for example, has a higher combined rate due to a municipal add-on.)
What About Guest Registration?
The tourist tax is just one part of the check-in process. If you haven't already, you may also want to read our earlier guide on tourist tax and guest registration for vacation rentals in Catalonia, which explains the full registration process, including how we collect your details for the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) in a secure, GDPR-compliant way.
Any Questions?
We know that navigating local regulations isn't always the most exciting part of planning a holiday. That's why we take care of it all, so you can focus on enjoying your time in Girona.
If you have any questions about the tourist tax or your upcoming stay, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're always happy to help.
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From 1 April 2026, the tourist tax for holiday rentals (ET4) in Girona Province is €1.75 per person, per night (up from €1.00). For rural tourism properties (ET3), the rate is €0.90 per person, per night. The tax applies to guests aged 17 and over, for a maximum of 7 nights per stay.
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No. The tourist tax only applies to guests aged 17 and over. Children aged 16 and under are exempt.
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The standard rate is the same throughout Catalonia, except in the city of Barcelona, which adds a municipal surcharge on top of the regional rate. All Els Majordoms properties are in Girona Province and apply the standard rate with no additional surcharges.
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It depends on how you booked. For direct bookings, the tax is included in your first payment and itemised in your confirmation. For bookings made through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, we collect the tax on the day of your arrival through our secure Guest Area.
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Yes, if your arrival date is on or after 1 April 2026, the new rates apply, regardless of when you booked or paid. So if you booked earlier and your stay falls after that date, you may notice a change in the tourist tax amount compared to your original booking confirmation.
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The tax is capped at 7 nights per stay. Even if you stay longer, you will only be charged for the first 7 nights. For example, a 2-week stay for 2 adults at €1.75 per night would still result in a maximum tourist tax of €24.50 (2 × 7 × €1.75).
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No. The tourist tax is a mandatory levy set by the Generalitat de Catalunya. Els Majordoms collects it on behalf of the Agència Tributària de Catalunya and remits it to them. It is entirely separate from the rental price.
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Yes. Under the current legislation, the rate for holiday rentals in Girona Province will increase again to €2.50 per person, per night from 1 April 2027. We'll keep our guests informed of any further changes.
