Paris cuts short‑term rental allowance to 90 nights, Barcelona raises tourist tax and plans apartment phase‑out, Amsterdam hikes tourist tax to 16% in 2027
Paris will limit primary‑residence short‑term rentals to 90 nights per year from 2025, Barcelona raises its accommodation tax to about €15 per person per night in 2026 and will let 10,101 tourist‑apartment licences expire by November 2028, and Amsterdam approved a rise in its municipal tourist tax to 16% for 2027. The measures affect travellers booking private rentals, hotels and cruise visits across these cities.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Paris cuts rental allowance to 90 nights, Barcelona raises tax and ends 10,101 licences, Amsterdam lifts tax to 16%
- Timing
- Paris from 2025, Barcelona tax in 2026 and licence expiry by Nov 2028, Amsterdam tax effective 2027
- Who is affected
- Travelers using short‑term rentals or hotels in Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam
The details
- Announced by
- Paris authorities, Barcelona city officials, Amsterdam City Council
- Takes effect
- 2025
- Previous rule
- Paris allowed 120 rental nights per year; Barcelona’s combined tourism charge was lower than €15 per night; Amsterdam’s tourist tax was 12.5% in 2026.
- New rule
- Paris now permits only 90 rental nights annually; Barcelona’s combined tax can reach €15 per person per night and 10,101 licences will lapse by Nov 2028; Amsterdam’s tax rises to 16% in 2027.
Paris short‑term rental limit
From 2025 Paris reduces the annual allowance for renting a primary residence to tourists from 120 nights to 90 nights, a 25 % cut. The change is part of broader efforts to keep residential housing available and to curb the conversion of homes into tourist accommodation.
- Annual limit lowered from 120 to 90 nights
- Applies to primary‑residence properties used for short‑term lets
Barcelona tourism charges and apartment phase‑out
In 2026 Barcelona increased its accommodation‑related tourism charges, with combined municipal and regional taxes reaching roughly €15 per person per night in some categories. The city also announced that 10,101 existing tourist‑apartment licences will be allowed to expire without renewal by November 2028, aiming to return housing to residential use.
- Combined tax can approach €15 per person per night
- 10,101 tourist‑apartment licences to lapse by Nov 2028
Amsterdam tourist tax increase
On 12 November 2026 Amsterdam City Council approved raising the overnight tourist tax from 12.5 % to 16 % for 2027. The higher rate adds about €49 to a typical seven‑night hotel stay priced at €200 per night before VAT. The measure is intended to generate extra municipal revenue and address visitor‑induced pressure.
- Tax rises from 12.5 % to 16 % in 2027
- Adds roughly €49 to a seven‑night stay at €200 per night
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers booking private apartments in Paris should expect fewer listings during peak periods after 2025.
- Visitors to Barcelona may see higher nightly costs and reduced apartment supply as licences expire by 2028.
- Amsterdam guests should budget for a higher tourist tax when planning stays for 2027 and beyond.
Cost and documents
- Paris rental limit does not introduce new fees, but reduced availability may affect price levels.
- Barcelona’s €15 per‑person nightly tax will be added to accommodation invoices.
- Amsterdam’s 16 % tax will appear as a separate line item on hotel bills starting in 2027.
What you need to do
- Check that any Paris short‑term rental booking does not exceed 90 nights per year.
- Confirm the total nightly charge in Barcelona includes the €15 tourism tax before confirming a reservation.
- Factor the higher Amsterdam tourist tax into budget calculations for stays after 1 January 2027.
Who this affects
-
Paris short‑term rental guests
The city reduced the annual rental allowance for primary‑residence properties to 90 nights.
What to do Ensure bookings stay within the 90‑night limit per property.
-
Barcelona apartment travellers
Higher tourism charges and a planned phase‑out of 10,101 licensed tourist apartments affect availability and cost.
What to do Verify the total nightly charge and consider alternative accommodation types.
-
Amsterdam hotel and rental guests
The municipal tourist tax will increase to 16 % in 2027.
What to do Include the higher tax in travel budget calculations.
-
Cruise passengers visiting Barcelona
A €6 cruise‑related charge is mentioned in the city’s 2026 policy.
What to do Check the cruise itinerary for any additional levy details.
-
Amsterdam residents renting homes short‑term
The city limits entire‑home rentals to 30 nights per year.
What to do Residents must obtain permits and stay within the 30‑night cap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new short‑term rental limit in Paris?
The new limit is 90 nights per year for primary‑residence properties used for tourist rentals, reduced from the previous 120 nights.
When does Barcelona’s higher tourism tax apply?
The increased combined tax of up to €15 per person per night takes effect in 2026 for applicable accommodation categories.
How many Barcelona tourist‑apartment licences will expire?
Barcelona plans to let 10,101 existing tourist‑apartment licences expire without renewal by November 2028.
What is Amsterdam’s tourist tax rate in 2027?
Amsterdam approved a 16 % municipal tourist tax for 2027, up from the 12.5 % rate used in 2026.
Will the Amsterdam tax increase affect hotel prices significantly?
The tax adds about €49 to a seven‑night stay in a €200‑per‑night hotel, which will be reflected as a separate charge on the bill.
Is there an extra charge for cruise passengers in Barcelona?
Barcelona’s 2026 policy includes a €6 cruise‑related charge, though exact applicability depends on passenger category and may require confirmation.
