Edinburgh will introduce a new Visitor Levy from 24 July 2026, adding a 5% charge to overnight accommodation costs for most visitors. The levy applies to hotels, B&Bs, hostels, holiday rentals, and Airbnbs, and is capped at the first five nights. It is not charged for additional services like parking or meals.
Who Must Pay
The City of Edinburgh Council confirmed: "Anyone who is staying in paid, overnight accommodation in Edinburgh needs to pay the levy. This includes tourists, people staying for work or visiting the city for other reasons. UK and Scottish residents are included." The levy is charged at the same rate every day of the year for stays from 24 July 2026 onwards.
Exemptions and Booking Details
Exemptions include UK residents receiving certain disability benefits, and those in unstable housing situations such as homeless individuals, asylum seekers, and refugees. The council stated: "Everyone staying in paid overnight accommodation in Edinburgh must pay the levy, but those covered by exemptions will be able to reclaim it later." Stays booked and paid for before 1 October 2025 are not subject to the levy.
Accommodation Types Covered
The levy applies to: hotels, self-catering apartments, aparthotels, B&Bs, guest houses, hostels, student lets (when let to visitors or non-Edinburgh students), vehicles or boats that mostly stay in one place, holiday/short-term lets, and caravan/campsites.
Revenue and Purpose
The Edinburgh Visitor Levy is intended to "sustain, support and develop" projects across the city, including public services, infrastructure, culture, heritage, events, and the visitor economy. The council expects the levy to generate up to £50 million a year by 2029.
