Venice has doubled its entry fee for last-minute day visitors, raising it from €5 to €10 for those who book their visit less than four days in advance. This measure is part of an expanded tourist entry fee program aimed at managing overtourism and protecting the city's fragile infrastructure.
The entry fee, initially introduced in 2024 on 29 select days, will now apply on 54 days in 2025, covering every day from April 18 to May 4 and then every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday through July 27. The fee applies to day-trippers aged 14 and over who do not stay overnight in Venice.
Visitors who book at least four days ahead pay the standard €5 fee, while last-minute bookings incur the doubled €10 charge. The fee is collected online, and visitors must present a QR code upon entry, with random checks conducted at key points like the train station. Failure to pay can result in fines ranging from €50 to €300 plus the maximum entrance fee.
Exemptions include local residents, university students in Venice, those visiting family, and tourists staying overnight in hotels or guesthouses, who already pay a separate tourist tax.
Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized that the expanded fee system is designed to deter mass day tourism on crowded days, helping to preserve the city’s heritage and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
The 2024 pilot generated around €2.4 million, demonstrating the program’s financial success in supporting sustainable tourism management.
