Amsterdam
Amsterdam City Council have approved the 2020 rates for the Toeristenbelasting (tourist tax for overnight stays) and Vermakelijkhedenretributie – VMR (entertainment tax).
From 1 January 2020, the Toeristenbelasting will be 7% net cost of room (excludes breakfast, food and beverage and room service) plus €3 fixed rate per person per night. The €3 fixed rate is charged for a maximum 21 nights and children under 16 are exempt from the fixed amount.
From 1 January 2020, the Vermakelijkhedenretributie (VMR) will increase to €1.50 per person (€0.66 in 2019). The tax is applicable to passengers on sightseeing canal boat and bus tours.
The applicability of VMR to guided city tours has been postponed from 2020 to 1 January 2021. Paid events/festivals that take place in a public space will also be liable for VMR from 1 January 2021.
Read more about this on our Amsterdam destination page and Netherlands tourist tax page.
Rome
We are attending Futouroma in Rome on 13 November and are in close contact with Roma Comune. They are interested in receiving practical feedback from operators about the new coach plan implemented in January 2019. If you have any feedback on this or any other Rome-related issue, please contact policy@etoa.org.
Venice
Venice City Council and the Municipal Council of Venice have approved the introduction of the contributo di sbarco (tourist tax for day visitors) from 1 July 2020, but members should note comment about implementation below.
Individuals (and not the transport carrier as originally intended) will be responsible for paying the access fee.
From 1 July 2020, the contributo di sbarco will be a standard rate of €3 per person per day unless classified a red high season day (€6) or black high season day (€8).
From 1 January 2021 the standard rate will be €6 per person per day unless classified a green low season day (€3), red high season day (€8) or black high season day (€10).
More information here.
It is important to note that this tax is not applicable for visitors already paying overnight tax in the municipality of Venice.
Implementation: Further details are to be announced as to how the tax can be paid and which days are classified green, red and black. The information will be published on the Italy tourist tax page when known. Cruise ship passengers pay the same rate for all days of the year (€5 in 2020 and €7 in 2021).
We are in close contact with public and private stakeholders in Venice. Our understanding is that there are still uncertainties around the implementation and methods of enforcement. Regional elections held in Veneto in May/June 2020 as well as a consultative referendum on the division of Venice and Mestre into two municipalities on 1 December 2019 may affect the implementation process and timeframe.
We will report updates on our Venice destination page and Italy tourist tax page.
Tourist tax rates
A full review of the tourist tax pages will be made in November. This is taking place somewhat later than planned due to preparations for a UK government-sponsored Brexit seminar; more detail on that below.
Brexit
Our seminar on Brexit last Thursday 31 October can be viewed here with timings for each session published in the description box. Feedback on the seminar is welcome and can be completed here.
Please keep checking our webpage for further updates.
If you have any queries as to the implications of a deal or no deal scenario, please continue to contact us.
