Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh? As of July 24, 2026, paid overnight stays in Edinburgh are subject to an extra charge: the Edinburgh tourist tax.
Its official name is the Edinburgh Visitor Levy, but you'll usually hear it called the Edinburgh tourist tax or visitor levy.
So how much will you actually pay? Is the charge per person, per room, or per night? Is it included on accommodation booking platforms, or will you need to pay it separately?
In this guide, we explain everything in simple terms so you know how much to budget for, what to check before you book, and how to avoid unexpected charges when you arrive in Edinburgh.
What is the Edinburgh tourist tax?
The Edinburgh Visitor Levy is a charge on paid overnight stays within the City of Edinburgh Council area.
The levy was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council under the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, which allows Scottish councils to create their own visitor levy schemes.
What is the Edinburgh tourist tax used for?
The aim of the levy is to make sure tourism also contributes to Edinburgh's upkeep.
The money collected is used to improve services and infrastructure that benefit both visitors and residents, including:
- Cleaning and maintaining streets, parks, and public spaces.
- Preserving heritage sites and historic buildings.
- Supporting culture, festivals, and other events.
- Managing tourism and improving the visitor experience.
- Housing-related projects and initiatives to reduce the impact of tourism.
Ultimately, a small part of your travel budget won't simply be an extra cost. It will also help preserve Edinburgh and improve the city.
When does the Edinburgh tourist tax apply?
The Edinburgh tourist tax applies to stays from July 24, 2026 onward.
However, the date of your trip isn't the only factor. When you booked and when you made your first payment also matter.
The levy applies if:
- Your stay takes place from July 24, 2026 onward
- You made your booking on or after October 1, 2025
- You made a full or partial payment for your booking on or after October 1, 2025
Always keep your booking confirmation email and proof of your first payment. These documents help confirm when the reservation was made.
If you've since changed the dates, extended your stay, or modified the terms of an older booking, it's best to ask the accommodation directly how those changes affect the levy.
How much is the Edinburgh tourist tax?
The tourist tax is not a fixed amount. The amount you pay depends on the price of your accommodation.
The levy is 5% of the accommodation price before VAT (Value Added Tax).
Only the first five consecutive nights are subject to the levy. So if you stay for six, seven, or ten nights, for example, you won't pay any additional levy from the sixth night onward.
Here's a quick example: imagine your accommodation costs £150 per night before VAT. If you stay...
- One night: £150 × 5% = £7.50
- Three nights: £450 × 5% = £22.50
- Five nights: £750 × 5% = £37.50
- Seven nights: only the first five nights are subject to the levy, so the levy remains £37.50
What about breakfast?
It depends on how it is included in your booking.
If breakfast is included free of charge and does not have a separate price, the levy may be calculated on the full accommodation price.
However, if breakfast is itemized with its own price, that amount is not part of the levy calculation and must be deducted before applying the 5% rate.
Is the tourist tax included on platforms like Booking.com?
Not always - it depends on the property. The price may include VAT and other taxes, but the tourist tax may still be collected directly by the accommodation.
Before booking, review the price breakdown and check whether the accommodation charge, VAT, and City Tax are listed separately. If the levy is not shown as included, you'll need to pay it when you arrive at the accommodation.
To avoid unexpected charges, always check the "Not included in the price," "Taxes and fees," and fine-print sections of your booking.
Which accommodations are subject to the tourist tax?
The levy applies to almost all paid tourist accommodations within the administrative area of the City of Edinburgh Council, including:
- Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and guest houses
- Vacation rentals and short-term rental properties
- Aparthotels
- Student residences rented to visitors
- Campsites and sites for tents or motorhomes
- Boats or vehicles used as fixed accommodation
The levy does not automatically apply throughout Scotland. An accommodation advertised as being "near Edinburgh" could actually be located in Midlothian, East Lothian, or West Lothian and fall outside the city's levy scheme. Before booking, check the exact address or ask the property directly.
When and how do you pay the tourist tax?
There is no single point at which the levy is collected.
Depending on the accommodation, the rate you booked, or the platform you used, it may be charged at different stages from the time you make your reservation until you check out.
The accommodation must clearly show the charge in the booking terms, invoice, or receipt.
If the amount charged does not match what you were quoted, ask for an itemized breakdown separating the accommodation cost, VAT, extras, and tourist tax.
If your stay is canceled and does not take place, the tourist tax must be refunded, even if other amounts paid for the booking are nonrefundable.
Frequently asked questions about the Edinburgh tourist tax
How much is the Edinburgh tourist tax?
It is 5% of the accommodation price before VAT, for up to five consecutive nights.
When does the Edinburgh tourist tax apply?
The levy applies to stays from July 24, 2026 onward.
Which bookings are affected?
In general, bookings made from October 1, 2025 onward for stays from July 24, 2026 onward.
Is the levy charged per person?
No. It is calculated on the accommodation price, not on the number of guests.
Do you pay the levy for more than five nights?
No. It is only charged for the first five consecutive nights.
Does the levy apply to vacation rentals?
Yes, as long as they are located within the City of Edinburgh Council area.
Does the levy apply to business travel?
Yes. Traveling for work does not, by itself, exempt you from the levy.
Is the levy included on Booking.com or Airbnb?
The total price shown must reflect the levy, although it may be itemized separately or collected later by the accommodation.
Is breakfast included in the levy calculation?
It depends on how it is sold. If breakfast has its own price, that amount is deducted before the levy is calculated. If it is included free of charge and has no separate price, it may be included in the accommodation price.
Does the levy apply throughout Scotland?
No. It is a local levy that applies within the City of Edinburgh Council area.
What happens if I cancel my booking?
If the stay does not take place, any tourist tax you paid must be refunded, even if the room was booked at a nonrefundable rate.
A tourist tax that's now part of your travel budget
Since July 24, 2026, the tourist tax has been part of the cost of staying in Edinburgh.
It is not a fixed charge per person. The levy is calculated at 5% of the accommodation price before VAT and only applies to the first five consecutive nights.
Before booking, review the final price, check whether the levy is included, and keep all your confirmation emails and proof of payment.
Knowing about this cost ahead of time will help you plan your travel budget more accurately and avoid surprises when you receive the final bill.
We hope this guide has helped answer your questions.
Welcome to Edinburgh!