Venice to introduce tourist Fee in 2025: what fines are faced for non-compliance

Venice authorities have decided to introduce a fee for tourists in order to cope with overcrowding in the historic center of the city. The new tax will come into force in 2024 and will affect all travelers who do not live in Venice. Fines for refusing to pay will be significant, which has already caused heated discussions among locals and tourism companies.

About the new fee for tourists

Venice, famous for its canals and historic architecture, will introduce a fee for tourists from 2025. The main goal of this move is to address the problem of overtourism, which puts pressure on the city’s infrastructure and ecosystem. The fee will be charged to those who do not live in Venice, which will help reduce the number of one-day tourists and improve the quality of service.

Reasons for introducing the fee:

• Reducing the flow of day-trippers helps manage visitor numbers.
• Preservation of cultural heritage – protection of unique objects from excessive load.
• Stabilizing urban infrastructure – helping to maintain roads, bridges and canals.
• Environmental sustainability is the reduction of negative impacts on the environment.

The fee will likely help Venice cope with the problems associated with mass tourism, but it could also spark protests from tourists and local businesses dependent on the tourism industry. It will be important to watch how the move affects the city’s economy and atmosphere.

How the toll collection system will work

In 2025, Venice will introduce a tourist fee system aimed at managing the flow of visitors and preserving the city’s uniqueness. The fee will be collected from non-Venice residents planning a short-term visit to the city. The entire process will be automated, including online registration and the use of control devices.

Stages of fee collection and control methods:

1. Registration and payment via the online platform. Tourists are required to register on the official website or in the mobile application 2-3 days before the visit. The system will provide a unique code for access to the city.
2. Access control via terminals. Terminals will be installed at the main entrances to the historic city center, where tourists will be able to confirm payment via a QR code or electronic card.
3. Fee for visiting popular attractions. In some areas of Venice and when visiting large museums or squares, you will need to pay an additional fee for access, which will be automatically tracked by the system.

Failure to pay is subject to significant fines, and if controls are breached, access to the historic centre may be restricted. Tourists who fail to pay the fee will be required to pay a fine and may face a ban on further access to the city. The system is designed to maintain the sustainability of Venice’s tourist infrastructure.

Reaction of local residents and businesses

The introduction of a new toll system in Venice has caused a mixed reaction among locals and businesses. Many city residents support the measures, believing that it will help reduce the pressure of tourists on the city’s historic areas and improve the quality of life for locals. However, some restaurant and shop owners are concerned that it will affect the number of tourists and the income of their businesses, especially during the low season.

Locals, in turn, hope that the fee will not only reduce the number of day-trippers, but also provide funds for preserving the city’s cultural heritage. Many argue that the savings could be used to support infrastructure and improve quality of life.

The bottom line is that overall, this measure is expected to help reduce the environmental burden on Venice, but its impact on the city’s economy and the mood of tourists will be determined by the success of the system’s implementation.