Tourists could get slapped with fees as pricey getaway looks to cash in even more

Yet another country in Europe is weighing a proposal to add tourist taxes and levies to visitors in an effort to raise money.

Already consideredan expensive destination, Finland is now taking a closer look at how tourists pay their way.

The Finnish government has started drafting legislation that would allow municipalities to introduce atax on tourists, part of a broader effort to boost revenue while easing the strain that travel places on local communities, according to a government statement.

TRAVELERS MAY BE SLAPPED WITH ‘RIDICULOUS’ NEW FEES AS POPULAR CITY SEEKS MILLIONS PER YEAR

The Ministry of Finance confirmed that legal preparations are in progress for a system that would give cities and towns the option to charge visitors who are staying in paid accommodations.

The proposed tax would apply to international tourists and Finns traveling within their own country.

Finland is now considering a tourist tax for international and domestic travelers — the latest country in Europe to contemplate such a move.(iStock)

Finance Minister Riikka Purra said the plan is highly flexible.Rather than imposing a nationwide rule, the government would leave the final decision tolocal hands.

“The goal is a clear model, and municipalities would decide themselves whether to introduce it,” Purra said in a statement.

Read More → Cruise line abruptly adds extra charges for passengers as travelers worry others may follow

If the proposal passes, the tax would be calculated as a percentage of the accommodation price, includinghotels, holiday cottagesand short-term rentals.

Read More → Century-old US airport to shut down to make way for taxpayer-funded park as critics push for housing

“Municipalities would decide themselves whether to introduce” the tourist tax, the finance minister said in a statement.(iStock)

Finland, if it makes this move, would not be breaking new ground. 

Tourist taxesare common across Europe, with cities like Venice, Paris and Seville using similar systems to balance the benefits of tourism with its challenges.

The Ministry of Finance said local governments could decide how to use the funds they bring in through tourist taxes.(iStock)

If approved, the law could take effect in 2027. 

Then, municipalities could choose to add the tax to their 2028 budgets.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Finland’s tourism industryhit a record high in 2025, marking a strong rebound from the pandemic-era downturn.

Read More → China aiding Iran missile program amid US-Israeli strikes, reports say

The country welcomed 5.1 million international visitors last year — a 5% increase from 2024 — according to Business Finland and Visit Finland.It is estimated that tourists spent more than $4 billion.

Finland’s tourism industry hit a record high in 2025, marking a strong rebound from the pandemic-era downturn.(iStock)

Read More → Tech giants unite to fight online scams

Officials say the surge is partly driven by the growing “cool-cation” trend, withtravelers from Europeand North America heading north in search of fresh air and cooler temperatures, the “VisaHQ” blog reported.

Reddit users weighed in on the proposed tax.

“Finland is… one of the most expensive countries to visit because of its already sky-high taxes.… Introducing [a] tourist tax is not going to help get tourists,” one commenter said.

The aurora borealis in Finland has long been a huge draw for visitors.(Alex Nicodim/Anadolu )

“Sounds likeLas Vegas.It’s like $100 in taxes to rent a car, $15+ a night in just taxes for a hotel — every little thing they can soak tourists for they do,” another Reddit user said.

Finland has carved out an identity as a destination for nature-driven travel, drawing visitors with itsvast forests, pristine lakes and seasonal extremes.

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

In the winter, travelers head to Lapland for Northern Lights viewing and snow activities. 

In the summer, tourists love the long daylight hours, including the midnight sun.