When is the Venice entry fee coming in and how much will it be?
Venice is introducing an entry charge for day-trippers. The booking portal is now live, allowing tourists to register and pay for their upcoming visit.
However, it is worth doing your research before you pay, to check if you are exempt from having to pay the fee, and to make sure you have organised everything before you arrive – if not, you may face a fine.
Here is everything you need to know about the Venice entry fee and the existing tourist tax in the city, including how the entry charge is enforced, which parts of Venice it applies to, and the dates when it will be in force.
When is the Venice entry fee being implemented?
The first day of the Venice entry fee will be Saturday April 25 2024. It will then apply every day from then until Sunday May 5. Following this, it will be in force every weekend until Sunday July 14, with the exception of June 1 and 2 (the weekend of Italian National Day and Republic Day). No dates have been announced for the second half of July or August. The fee will apply between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm. This is a trial period. It is unclear whether the entry fee will continue beyond July 14.
How much does the entry fee cost?
The entry fee costs €5 (around £4.30).
Who has to pay the Venice entry fee?
The entry fee only applies to day-trippers. If you are staying in paid overnight accommodation where the Venice tourist tax (see below) applies, you will not have to pay the €5 entry fee. However, you will still need to register that you are visiting Venice. Your accommodation provider will be able to give you their facility code, which you must enter when registering your visit and applying for exemption to paying the entry fee.
The only people who need to take no action whatsoever are residents, people born in Venice, anyone travelling to Venice for professional reasons, students enrolled at school or university in Venice and children under 10 (although they may have to show identification, if asked). Children aged between 10 and 16 years of age are subject to a 50 per cent reduction. Tourists with disabilities and their carers are exempt from the fee, but will have to register their visit online before arrival.
Which parts of the city are covered by the fee?
The fee only applies to people visiting the ancient part of the city – loosely, the core part of Venice that orientates around the Grand Canal, plus a handful of nearby islands.
The fee does not apply to people passing through Piazzale Roma (Venice’s gateway for buses, taxis, and trams), Tronchetto (where the car park is located) and Stazione Marittima (where cruises dock).
The entry fee does not apply to many of the nearby islands in the lagoon, including: Lido di Venezia (Alberoni and Malamocco included), Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant‘Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, S Andrea, La Certosa, S Servolo, S Clemente, Poveglia and Sacca Sessola.
How will the entry fee be enforced?
The Venezia Unica website says: “The City Administration may use the tools provided by the regulation for the recovery of evasion and avoidance and in particular carry out audits, inspections and site inspections through authorised personnel at the main entry points to the City.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like there will be people scanning QR codes on arrival. These people will be wearing a bib.
What if I don’t pay?
You will face a fine. The penalty ranges from €50 (£43) to €300 (£258), plus an additional €10 (£8.60) for the entry fee. In exceptional circumstances (for example, if you do not have access to the internet) visitors will be able to pay the entry fee at a kiosk on arrival.
How do I pay the Venice entry fee?
You should do so in advance. For full information, to register your visit to Venice, or to pay the entry charge, see cda.ve.it.
I am visiting a friend, do I still have to pay?
No. Friends and acquaintances of people residing in the old city will not have to pay, so long as they have an exemption voucher whose activation is the responsibility of the resident. This can cover the entire length of your visit. Speak to your friend about this before you arrive.
Is there a cap of how many people can visit Venice per day?
No. As it stands there is no daily capacity limit in Venice.
Is there a separate tourist tax in Venice?
Yes. Any tourist staying overnight must pay a tourist tax, payable at your hotel or accommodation facility for your first five consecutive days of stay. The rate varies between €1 and €5 per night, depending on the time of year, the location of your hotel, and its classification. If you are paying a tourist tax, you do not need to pay the entry fee, although you will still need to register your visit before arrival (see above).