Tourist tax updates on the Camino and beyond

Starting 1 October 2025, Santiago de Compostela will introduce a new tourist tax. If you’re staying in a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse, you’ll be asked to pay this small fee directly at your accommodation.

The fee will range between €1 and €2.50 per person per night, depending on the category of your stay.

For example, in a 3-star hotel the fee is €2 per person per night. You only pay for the first five nights of a continuous stay. So if you stay longer, the good news is that nights six and beyond are tax-free. However, most of our walkers only spend one or two nights in Santiago: so for many, it will just mean a couple of extra euros at the end of the journey.

The surcharge is not included in the accommodation price, so it’s good to keep in mind when budgeting. The revenue will be invested in sustainable tourism projects, with at least 80% earmarked for public services and heritage protection. Oversight will be managed by the new Foro de Turismo Sostenible, bringing together local authorities, tourism businesses, and community representatives.

IMPORTANT! Please note that if you book a trip with WAW.travel, this tax is not included in the package price. The tourist tax is a personal contribution, designed to support the local environment and services, and must be paid directly by travelers at check-in or check-out.

This tourist tax also includes 10% VAT. For example, if the indicated tourist tax is €2 per night, a 10% VAT is applied on top of that amount, which means the final charge becomes €2.20. Hotels and booking sites often only show the base rate in their information, and the VAT appears later on the invoice. That is why some travelers are surprised to see a slightly higher total at check out.

In practice, this means tourists do end up paying a little more because of the VAT, but it is not double taxation. It is simply the way Spain applies VAT to all services, including this municipal surcharge. For instance, in a 3 star hotel in Santiago the tourist tax is €2 per night, and the invoice will show €2.20 (€2 plus 10% VAT).

What to Know About the Tourist Tax (Frequently Asked Questions) 

1. Can the tourist tax be paid by card, or does it have to be in cash?

You can usually pay it just like your room bill, by card or cash. There’s no rule that it has to be cash-only.

2. Is the tax applied all along the Camino routes, or only in certain cities?

Not everywhere! The tax applies only in A Coruña (from 1 September 2025) and Santiago de Compostela (from 1 October 2025). As of now, other Camino towns do not charge this fee.

3. How much will I pay?

The rate depends on the accommodation: between €1 and €2.50 per person per night. In a 3-star hotel in Santiago it’s €2. The maximum is five consecutive nights. After that, your stay is tax-free. 

Please note that there are some exceptions on the Camino Portugués. You can find more details about Portugal’s tourist tax further down in this blog.

4. Will this show up on booking websites?

Yes. Since the tax is not included in room rates, it’s usually shown in the fine print under “taxes not included.” Expect to see it on hotel sites and booking platforms once it comes into effect.

5. Are there exemptions?

A few groups don’t need to pay, however, these exemptions are rarely relevant for most pilgrims and walkers:

• A Coruña: cruise passengers (until end of 2025), minors, athletes in competitions, conference attendees, hospital patients and companions, participants in social programmes, and locals staying for force majeure reasons.
• Santiago: minors, travelers for health reasons, and people with a disability of 65% or greater.

6. Is the tourist tax included in my WAW trip?

No, the tourist tax is not paid by WAW.travel on your behalf. It is a small, individual contribution from each traveler, set by the local authorities to help preserve the surroundings and public services. You will need to pay it directly at your accommodation when you check in or out.

Information on tourist tax on the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera) apply a Sustainable Tourism Tax, called the ecotasa. If you join one of our walking holidays in Menorca or Mallorca, you’ll be asked to pay this fee at your accommodation.

• Standard rate: Between €2 and €4 per person per night, depending on the accommodation category (higher for 4–5 star hotels, lower for hostels and rural stays).
• Discounts:
  • 50% reduction during low season (1 November – 30 April).
  • 75% discount from the 9th night onwards.
• Exemptions: Children under 16 are exempt.
• Collection: Paid at your accommodation, usually on arrival or check-out. It is not included in the advertised room price.
  

The goal is to support sustainable tourism and preserve the islands’ natural beauty. Therefore for most walkers, the tourist tax will only add a few euros to your trip,but it helps maintain the paths, towns, and landscapes we all love to explore.

Information on tourist tax in Portugal

Portugal also applies local tourist taxes (taxa turística) in some cities along or near the Camino routes. These are small per-night charges you pay directly to your accommodation.

• Lisbon: €4 per person per night, for up to 7 nights. Applies to guests aged 13 and older.
• Porto: €3 per person per night, for up to 7 nights. Relevant if you’re starting your Camino Portugués here.
• Other Camino towns: Some northern towns such as Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, and Barcelos may also charge €1–€2 per night. 
• Exemptions: Children (under 13 in Lisbon, under 16 in some other towns) are usually exempt.

These taxes are capped at 7 consecutive nights per stay.

Do you have any more questions about tourist taxes and how they apply to our walking holidays? Let us know at hey@waw.travel.

Sources:

• Xunta de Galicia
• Normativa reguladora del impuesto gallego sobre las estancias turísticas en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia