Valencia is not the only capital in Spain considering a tourist tax. This movement helps the introduction of a local levy and illustrates that tax policy differs with the political forces in charge. The country’s five major cities — Seville, Malaga, Granada, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastián — are committed to adopting the tourism tax. In some cases they have already approved it at municipal meetings. The main hurdle for these municipalities is the absence of a legal framework that would permit them to approve and implement the tax within their own autonomy.
Contrary to the claim raised by Valencia’s leader from the PP, Maria Jose Catala, the idea of charging tourists is not a matter of left-leaning fear of tourism. Your ally, Malaga Mayor Francisco de la Torre, and Catala on many issues have supported applying the rate in a prior agreement with industry, provided municipalities retain full autonomy to implement it. Málaga’s mayor has taken a firm stance on this issue, contrasting with his regional leader Juanma Moreno, who opposes the measure on the grounds that it would deter visitors.
Socialist mayors in Seville (Antonio Muñoz) and Granada (Francisco Cuenca) support the tourist tax and, like their counterparts in Málaga, advocate a framework that respects Valencia’s approach, as described by President Ximo Puig. In other words, each municipality can determine the level of activity it wants to tax and the scope of the levy. When the Andalusian regional government blocked this approach, the mayor of Alhambra issued a document inviting all relevant Andalusian cities to participate, thereby building the necessary legal basis to implement the tax. The plan points toward cooperation through the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces or the Central Government.
In Donostia, Mayor Eneko Goia of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) also favors applying the tax mainly to tourist apartments since 40% of the Basque Country’s total is concentrated there. Yet the Lehendakari’s office led by Iñigo Urkullu has paused the move and will revisit it in the near term. Meanwhile, in Santiago de Compostela, with the PP abstaining, progressive forces passed a plenary resolution urging Xunta to regulate the rate. Socialist mayor Xosé Sánchez Bugallo supports pricing that improves service for visitors.
Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and roughly 150 destinations in 30 countries already charge fees
Spain currently collects the tourist tax in two autonomous communities: Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Palma de Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza feature the highest rates in the country, ranging from 1 to 4 euros, and Formentera also participates. Barcelona and Girona have among the steepest rates among Catalan cities, with Barcelona typically between 1.10 and 2.25 euros and Girona between 0.50 and 2.25 euros. According to Deputy Mayor Sergi Campillo, this approach enjoys broad support across Europe. Industry observers note about 150 destinations worldwide that apply a similar levy, with 21 capitals in Europe including Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Florence, Lyon, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Prague, Venice, Zurich, Geneva, Milan and Nice. Outside Europe, the tax appears in New York, San Francisco, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, the Maldives, the Riviera Maya, Dubai and Thailand, among others. These examples show how the tax structure is applied in cities and nations around the world, shaping how visitors contribute to local services and infrastructure. [citation: European municipal associations and tourism bodies]