Local politicians in Edinburgh have approved a tourist tax for visitors staying overnight the Scottish capital, introducing the first charge of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Edinburgh is set to introduce a tourist tax on accommodation in a bid to raise up to £50 million a year towards improving the city. If agreed, from 24 July 2026, guests in the Scottish capital will have to pay a five per cent visitor levy to stay overnight.

Visitors to Edinburgh will be charged a tourist tax designed to raise £50m annually, after city councillors voted in favour of the move. The charge, which mimics those already used in Germany, Spain and Italy,

Councillors agreed to delay the introduction of the new charge until October to give the industry time to prepare