- Edinburgh has become the first UK city to charge all visitors for staying overnight, charging a five per cent fee on all paid accommodation, capped at five nights in a row.
- The visitor levy, which came into effect on 24 July, applies to bookings made from 1 October 2025 for stays on or after the effective date, and covers various accommodation types including hotels, hostels, and holiday lets.
- The tax is projected to raise up to £50m annually, which will be reinvested into the city for the benefit of both tourists and residents, according to The City of Edinburgh Council.
- Initial investments from the levy include funding for Edinburgh's Festival Carnival, festival city ambassadors and a city centre policing unit.
- Council leader Jane Meagher said: “This is such an important moment for our city – and for our residents and visitors. It’s the result of a huge amount of work over many, many years and I am proud to be the first local authority in the UK to push ahead with a city-wide visitor levy scheme.”
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