Anyone spending a night in the Austrian capital in the future will pay noticeably more to the city's coffers. Vienna is significantly raising its overnight stay tax, officially called local tax, in two stages.
Since July 1 of this year, the rate has been five percent, starting July 1, 2027 it will climb to eight percent. Previously, 3.2 percent was due. According to the City of Vienna, the tax is calculated on the accommodation fee, excluding sales tax and breakfast - so the pure overnight stay costs form the basis.
Originally, it was supposed to happen even faster and more drastically: A jump to 8.5 percent was planned as early as December 2025. After protests from the industry, Finance Councilor Barbara Novak (SPÖ) invited representatives to a roundtable with the Chamber of Commerce and hotel industry. The result was the now valid graduated approach - later, lower, and in two steps.
Why the city is sticking to the tax
Novak justifies the move with rising costs for infrastructure and services. More than 80 percent of overnight guests come from abroad, so travelers should also contribute accordingly. According to the city, the revenue finances, among other things, the design of areas in front of hotels, green spaces, public transportation, as well as the cultural program and the management of the convention city.
The need is there, as Vienna is growing rapidly as a travel destination. The number of annual overnight stays rose from around 8.8 million to about 20.1 million between 2005 and 2025. Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, coffeehouses, and classical concerts are attracting more and more people.
The hotel and travel industries view the development critically. They point to already high burdens from energy, staff, and food costs and warn that additional taxes could weaken the location's attractiveness. At eight percent, Vienna will be among the cities with the highest percentage overnight stay tax in Europe starting in 2027 - only Amsterdam is higher (12.5 percent).
Vienna is not alone in this move. Other Austrian destinations are also adjusting their tourism taxes upward. For example, Innsbruck already raised the tax to three euros per night in mid-2025, and in May 2026 it rose to four euros. In Salzburg, the overnight stay tax first rose from 1.70 to 1.80 euros at the beginning of 2025 and was then increased to 3.50 euros on May 1, 2025, but now also includes a mandatory mobility fee. At least: With the included "Guest Mobility Ticket", guests can use public transportation in Salzburg Province during their stay.
For city travelers, this means: It's increasingly worthwhile to look at additional costs before booking. When calculated as a percentage, the tax varies depending on the room price and is usually collected directly through the accommodation.
