Cruise ship tourists face new tax for docking in popular destination

Travellers should make note of another country that is set to introduce a new tourist tax. Norway has announced that local governments will be able to charge a 3% levy on overnight stays and cruise ship visitors. The new tax is expected to launch in the summer of 2026 and is a response to overtourism that is sweeping the country.

Last year, Norway broke records with 38.6 million people booking accommodation in the country, a 4.2% increase from the previous year. The Nordic country’s tourism industry is expected to continue growing as tourists steering more away from the heatwaves in southern Europe.

As the pending tourist tax is voluntary, local areas can decide whether to introduce it. The local authorities that introduce the tax can use the funds to invest in services such as hiking trails and parking facilities.

Camping vans, recreational boats, and tents are exempt from the fee.

Celcilie Myrseth, Norway's trade and industry minister, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: "It is not a case that we have year-round tourism throughout the country, but in some places, there are parts of the year that are particularly demanding, and the expenses that the residents have to pay for are particularly high."

Day cruise passengers were not originally part of the tax proposals. However, were added following criticism over the impact cruise ships have on the environment.

In 2024, Norway welcomed nearly six million cruise ship passengers, with Alesund, Bergen, and Stavanger being the three most visited ports in the country. Alesund alone saw over 650,000 passengers last year.

Residents of towns that have seen a surge in cruise ship tourists have reported that sometimes the number of passengers that visit just for the day can outnumber the locals.

Norway is just one of the many European destinations that charge tourist fees for cruise passengers. Amsterdam charges a "day tripper tax" for cruise passengers, while Barcelona charges for overnight stays.

Lisbon, Venice, and Majorca also charge holidaymakers on cruises, which is typically either collected by the port authorities or included in the cruise price.

Kristin Krohn Devold, head of Norway's travel industry association, welcomes the new fee and is relieved that it targets cruise and overnight stays rather than the hotel industry directly, arguing that hotel guests are not as big of a problem as other tourists.