Rome hotel tax takes effect

04. Jan, 2011 0 Comments

A beautiful view from one of Rome's many hotels. Your stay will be taxed, though.
Photo by ninahale.

As of the first of january 2011, all visitors of Rome are expected to pay a new tax for the first ten nights of their stay. Local municipality claims the inflow of tourism poses a large burden on the city’s urban facilities and services, and says it needs this tax to maintain the same high level of quality in the future.

The different tax rates

The tax affects everyone staying in Rome, with the exception of those staying in youth hostels, but there are different tax rates depending on the type of accommodation you book:

Youth hostels: exempt from the charge / € 0
Camp sites within the city boundaries: € 1 (but only for the first 5 nights)
Bed and breakfasts: € 2
1 to 3 star hotel: € 2
4 or 5 star hotel: € 3

These prices are per person, per night, for the first ten nights you stay in Rome. The only exception to this are the camp sites, where tax will only be charged for the first five nights instead of ten. Your stay after your fifth or tenth night will not be taxed.

The tax will be collected at the end of your stay, when checking out, and is also applicable to visitors who booked their stay through a travel agent.

Visitors exempt from the charge

The following visitors will be exempt from the charge:

Residents of Rome
Children under 10 years old
Tourist guides
Sick visitors coming to Rome for treatment and their accompanying person

Reactions from the public

Understandably, reactions from both local business owners and tourists are negative overall. Hotel owners and locals fear tourism to the eternal city might take a big hit now visitors, and especially families staying in Rome, will see their holiday expenses rise significantly.

What’s your idea on this new tax? If you would like to react on this, you can use the comment form below.