Europe’s most-visited destination just made a move that could change the cost of your trip forever. The bill hasn’t passed yet, but the countdown has already started.
England is on the verge of joining the growing list of European destinations that charge tourists simply for being there.
A proposed piece of legislation called the Overnight Visitor Levy Bill would hand local and regional leaders the authority to introduce visitor taxes across England, putting it squarely in line with Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Paris, where tourist levies are already a normal part of travel costs.
The bill was first announced in November 2025 and made headlines again when King Charles referenced it in his May 13 speech. It is currently making its way through the Houses of Parliament, with no confirmed start date yet.
What the bill would actually mean for travelers
If passed, the legislation would allow local authorities to decide both the amount and format of any tourist tax in their area.
That could mean a flat rate charged once for the entire stay, a nightly fee per room, or a percentage of the nightly accommodation cost. Each city or region would set its own rules.
England would not be starting from scratch.
Two English cities have already moved ahead through a legal workaround involving something called an Accommodation Business Improvement District, which lets local councils collect an additional fee from overnight visitors without waiting for national legislation.
Manchester was the first, introducing a £1 (around $1.34) per room per night charge back in 2023, billed to guests at checkout.
Liverpool followed in June 2025 with a £2 charge on overnight stays. Authorities estimate the levy will raise around £9 million (roughly $12 million) over two years, with most of that money directed back into supporting the city’s visitor economy.
The bill would also bring England in line with its neighbors. Scotland and Wales are already moving ahead with their own tourism fees, and both Edinburgh and Glasgow have introduced tourist taxes.
The pushback from within the industry
Not everyone in England is on board. The government’s position is that tourist taxes, like those charged in destinations around the world, would fund local infrastructure and improve life for both residents and visitors.
But some in the hospitality industry are worried about the effect on tourism numbers and spending.
Peter Brend, director of Brend Hotels, which operates properties across Devon and Cornwall, raised concerns with the BBC about the potential impact on budget travelers.
He pointed out that a family of four staying for a week could end up paying an additional £50, money that would otherwise circulate through local shops and restaurants.
At least one regional leader has already drawn a hard line. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, mayor of Lincolnshire, publicly stated that the county will not introduce a tourist tax, describing the idea as punishing families and threatening the local entrepreneurs who drive the economy.
The numbers that make the case for it
The revenue potential is significant. One analysis found that a tourist tax in London alone could generate as much as £350 million (around $469 million) per year.
For cities grappling with the infrastructure demands that come with high visitor numbers, that kind of income is hard to ignore.
What American travelers should do now
The bill has not passed yet, so there is nothing to pay at the moment beyond what Manchester and Liverpool already charge.
But travelers with England trips on the horizon should keep a close eye on developments, particularly if they are planning visits to major cities like London, Bath, or York, where future levies would likely be highest.
The amounts being discussed are small in isolation, but across a longer trip with multiple overnight stops, they can add up. Factoring in a potential nightly surcharge when budgeting is a sensible move, especially since the landscape could shift before the year is out.