Prague Considers Doubling Tourist Fees to Enhance City Revenue

Tourists coming to the Czech Republic might soon face higher costs during their stay, as a group of lawmakers is advocating for a plan to increase the tourist fee from 50 CZK to 100 CZK per night. This initiative aims to assist cities, particularly Prague, in managing the increasing expenses related to cleaning, security, and the upkeep of public spaces that are affected by the large number of tourists.

If this proposal is approved, the capital could potentially generate up to 1 billion CZK each year, which is a significant rise compared to the 885 million CZK that was collected in the previous year, as highlighted by the Czech Statistical Office.

Supporters of the measure point out that cities across Europe already have higher accommodation fees in place.

“Vienna, Paris, and Amsterdam all implement much higher tourist taxes, yet their tourism industries continue to flourish,” the proposal explains. Lawmakers assert that visitors are open to paying more if they can see that the revenue directly contributes to enhancing local services.

The proposal gives local authorities the power to modify the fee based on specific local demand. In heavily visited destinations like Prague, the fee could be raised to the full 100 CZK (approximately 4 euros), whereas less popular areas could choose to keep it lower or remove it entirely.

Prague: A City Facing Challenges

Last year, Prague attracted over eight million tourists, marking a 9% growth compared to 2023. Despite this, it remains one of the most affordable capitals in Europe in terms of tourist fees—charging only two euros per person per night, which is significantly lower than the five to seven euros charged in Barcelona or Brussels, and even the 22 euros in Amsterdam.

Officials from Prague 1 have already proposed an even greater increase—suggesting a fee of 200 CZK per night—and have engaged in discussions about this with Regional Development Minister Petr Kulhánek (STAN).

Nevertheless, MP Michal Zuna comments that the proposed cap of 100 CZK represents a political compromise. “Indeed, it’s a 100 percent increase, but it still positions Prague in the mid-range compared to other European cities. It’s not excessively low nor excessively high,” he conveyed to FORUM 24.

How Do Tourist Fees Stack Up Across Europe?

Tourist taxes can vary significantly across different locations:

• Rome: ranges from 75–170 CZK per night
• Milan: charges between 50–125 CZK
• Florence: has fees from 25–125 CZK
• Greece: imposes a fee of 200 CZK per night, but only during peak tourist season
• Paris: rates differ based on the type of accommodation, fluctuating between 45 CZK and nearly 400 CZK