Starting 24 July 2026, a Visitor Levy will be introduced for all paid overnight stays in Edinburgh. This initiative, led by the City of Edinburgh Council, is designed to support the city's tourism infrastructure and enhance the overall visitor experience.
A 5 percent charge will be added to the cost of accommodation, applied to the first five consecutive nights of your stay.
All guests staying in hotels, B&Bs, hostels, serviced apartments, campsites and other paid accommodation within the City of Edinburgh.
The levy applies to stays arriving from 24 July 2026 onwards. If you made your booking on or before 30 September, you will be exempt from the levy if you choose to pay a deposit or your balance before midnight on the 30th September 2025.
Some guests, such as those staying for charitable purposes, may be eligible for exemption. These guests must pay the levy upfront and reclaim it through the Council. Information on exemptions can be found here.
The levy is collected at the time of payment:
For prepaid, non-refundable bookings, the levy is charged at the time of booking.
For flexible bookings, it is charged when you settle your stay.
If booked via a third party, the levy is paid when you pay the third party.
Yes. Your total cost will include the levy and it will be clearly itemised.
If your booking was prepaid and incurs a cancellation fee, the levy will be refunded. If no payment was taken, no refund is necessary.
For more details, visit the City of Edinburgh Council’s official Visitor Levy page.
