09/01/2025

Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy

Councillors are seemingly days away from grasping what they are calling a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to introduce a levy that will enhance and improve the city of Edinburgh.

The Council is set to agree the Visitor Levy for Edinburgh scheme later this month.

Following support from Councillors in August and the results of a 12-week public consultation, updated officer proposals will be considered by the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Friday, 17 January and by all Councillors at a special meeting on Friday, 24 January.

With over 4,500 responses, the wide-ranging consultation with residents, businesses and visitors reveals most people are aware of and supportive of the Council’s Visitor Levy plans. Slight adjustments to officer recommendations have been made to reflect the public feedback, including:

5-night cap:Capping Edinburgh’s levy at 5 consecutive nights per person, rather than 7
Campsites and caravans:Temporary campsites and parks now liable for the levy
Refunds within 5 working days:for all visitors eligible for national exemptions
New transition period:a levy grace period until May 2025 for bookings made for July 2026
Admin support for accommodation providers:equalling 2% of visitor levy income

If agreed, Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy charge will start being applied to bookings made from May onwards for overnight stays on and after 24 July 2026.

Once established, the levy is expected to raise up to £50 million a year.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said:

“This is the moment we have been working towards – a once in a lifetime opportunity to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s position as one of the most beautiful, enjoyable destinations in the world.

“With income of up to £50 million expected once it is established, the funding could provide Edinburgh with the single biggest injection of new funding this side of the millennium, providing a unique opportunity to further improve and protect all that makes Edinburgh the incredible destination it is today.

“We’ll be able to use funds to help us manage tourism sustainably and boost projects which benefit the experience of visitors and residents. I’m looking forward to working with Councillors to agree the scheme this month, which will allow further work to be carried out on the details of Edinburgh’s new levy.”

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:

“Given the importance of the tourist economy to the capital, Edinburgh Council cannot afford to be reckless with these plans. The implementation of short-term let licensing was a policy shambles and we cannot have history repeating itself with the visitor levy.

Many simply don’t realise that this tax won’t just be paid by international visitors but by ordinary Scots staying in the city – be it for business purposes, seeing friends, visiting family in hospital, or taking in the Fringe.

Other European cities might have it, but they often charge a small flat rate, don’t charge their own residents, and don’t have a 20% VAT rate. The schemes are not comparable. There is a real risk of undermining Edinburgh’s position as a leading destination.

This policy will also disproportionately impact small local accommodation businesses, including self-catering and B&Bs, further increasing the administrative burden. The accumulative regulatory impact could cripple them at a time when recovery is precarious.

We also fear that the transitional period is too short. The Council still has a lot of work to do to reassure business that these plans won’t erode the very industry it is supposedly meant to support.”

Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy

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