From the trembling cliffs of Prekestren to the glassy waters of Geirangerfjord, Norway has long been a playground for travelers seeking a mix of natural beauty and adventure. Norway has appeared as one of the world’s top “coolmation” spots, according to the Norwegian Bureau of Statistics.
As the country tackles its demand for increased tourism, it has announced a new tourism tax designed to offset the impact of crowds, a challenge that has plagued many European places, and to preserve the landscape that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Norwegian Parliament has announced that some cities and regions will roll out new travel taxes in 2026. Called “visitor contribution,” the rates rise at 3%, and apply to most overnight stays and cruise ship passengers. (However, travelers using personal campers, tents, or boats will be exempt from the fee.)
Please note that future tourism taxes are not a national mission. In a Facebook post by Norway’s Cecily Mastes, Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecily Mirces said, “The scheme is voluntary and applies especially to areas with many tourists.”
Funds generated from fees will only be used to improve tourism infrastructure projects, such as maintaining public toilets, establishing designated parking lots, creating signs to discover paths, and maintaining hiking trails.
Communities that wish to participate must first apply for the program. They must demonstrate that tourism is burdened with public services and specify the cost of revenue. (For example, funds cannot be in a typical city budget. They should be used for tourism infrastructure.)
Approved communities can collect taxes on hotels, guesthouses, short-term rentals and cruise ships. The community can also reduce the shoulder and off-season fees (periods where local travelers may outweigh foreign visitors) if they choose.
Lofoten is an island home to several traditional fishing villages and a wealth of options for hiking and other outdoor activities, and Tromso, a city known for its northern light viewing opportunities, has already shown that it is in favor of a new rate system. Both coastal communities are popular ports, and when cruise ships arrive, waves of visitors can surpass locals.
As overtourism promotes responsiveness among locals, particularly popular European tourists such as Barcelona, Lisbon and Venice (where anti-tourism protests have recently unfolded), more destinations have been turned into travel taxes in recent years to curb visitor numbers and improve local infrastructure.
Today, more than 60 destinations around the world are charging fees to help fight excessive tourism. In 2024, Venice introduced a pilot admission fee of 5 euros ($6 USD) for its Daytripper. The city is currently considering double the tax. Meanwhile, the Greek islands in Santorini and Mykonos have begun to impose a tax of 20 euros (USD 23) on cruise ship passengers.
