Norway Approves 3% Tourist Tax to Fund Infrastructure, Address Overtourism from 2026

Norway has approved a pioneering three-percent tourist tax to address overtourism and fund improvements in tourism infrastructure, with implementation expected in 2026. This tax will be applied to overnight stays at hotels, guesthouses, and short-term rentals, and may also extend to cruise ship passengers in certain municipalities, though exemptions apply to camping vans and tents. The tax aims to generate revenue for maintaining and enhancing public amenities such as restrooms, parking, signage, and trail maintenance, alleviating pressure on local communities and natural resources strained by record-breaking visitor numbers in 2024. The move follows concerns over overwhelmed infrastructure, especially in popular regions like the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø, where tourist numbers can vastly exceed local populations at times. Norwegian authorities emphasize that the tax will be locally controlled, with municipalities required to demonstrate infrastructure strain and decide how to allocate the funds, ensuring the economic benefits of tourism are balanced with environmental and community well-being. Norway’s trade and industry minister Cecilie Myrseth called the agreement historic, aligning Norway with other European nations that have implemented similar measures to promote sustainable tourism.