Norway, a popular tourist destination in Scandinavia, known for its stunning natural landscapes, including dramatic fjords of the west coast, mountains, glaciers, the Arctic with the magic of the northern lights will introduce a visitor fee starting in summer 2026.
The Nordic country is experiencing a strong recovery, with significant growth in both international and domestic tourism. Projections indicate a continued upward trend, with tourists arrivals expected to reach 6.5 million by 2028.
The sector is also making a substantial contribution to Norway's GDP, surpassing pre - pandemic levels. In 2024 the country recorded 6.20 million international arrivals and Tourism authorities expect to welcome approximately 6.28 million international visitors in 2025.
Europe currently represents 80% of all arrivals with leading inbound market being Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and Great Britain.
Although these remarkable performances and tourism numbers climbing steadily, Norway is preparing to introduce a tourist tax in summer 2026 with the aim to safeguard and preserve its natural treasures and alleviate strain on local infrastructure.
In this way, under newly approved legislation, select municipalities can impose a 3% fee on overnight stays and the fee will appear on hotel bills and short - term rentals such as Airbnb. Also cruise passengers will be subject to the fee while campsites and marinas will be exempt.
The move comes after Norway's Parliament rejected a proposal for a nationwide hotel tax and it opted for a targeted, locally applied measure.
For the implementation of the tax, the municipalities must demonstrate that tourism is putting significant pressure on public facilities and they are also required to submit detailed plans on how the funds will be used, subject to the review by the government.
The first cities expected to adopt this measure include Bergen, Tromsø and possibly the capital of the country Oslo, and iconic sites like Lofoten Islands and the Geirangerfjord are also likely candidates.
With this move Norway tourism - related services will be the exclusive users of the tax revenue. It would include trail maintenance, public toilets, waste management, information systems and local governments will also have the flexibility to adjust the tax seasonally.
A formal review of the legislation will happen three years after its implementation, allowing adjustments based on its impact and effectiveness.
Norwegian Hospitality Association CEO, Kristin Krohn Devold welcomed the decision, pleased that the government avoided a blanket hotel tax and stating that this approach allows for targeted action where it's truly needed. The common goal is for this tax to remain the exception, not the rule.
Link - https://www.travelmole.com/news/norway-visitor-fee-2026/
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