by Venice is introducing an entrance fee for day visitors. The booking portal is now live, allowing tourists to register and pay for their upcoming visit.
However, it’s worth doing your research before you pay, to see if you’re exempt from paying the fee, and to make sure you’ve got everything organized before you arrive – if not, you could be fined.
Here’s everything you need to know about Venice’s entrance fee and the city’s current tourism tax, including how the entrance fee is enforced, which parts of Venice it applies to, and when it will be in effect.
When will the entry fee in Venice be implemented?
The first day of the Venice entry fee is Saturday 25 April 2024. It will then apply every day until Sunday 5 May. After that, it will be in effect every weekend until Sunday 14 July, with the exception of June 1 and 2 (Italian National Day and Republic Day weekend). 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 not clear whether the entry fee will continue beyond July 14.
How much is the entry fee?
The entry fee costs €5 (around £4.30).
Who has to pay the Venice entrance fee?
The entrance fee only applies to day tourists. If you are staying in paid overnight accommodation where the Venice tourist tax (see below) applies, you will not have to pay the €5 entrance fee. However, you will 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 stay and applying for exemption from paying the entrance fee.
The only people who do not need to take any action are residents, people born in Venice, anyone traveling to Venice for professional reasons, students enrolled in a school or university in Venice and children under 10 (although they may that they would have to show identification, if asked) . Children aged between 10 and 16 are subject to a 50 per cent reduction. Tourists with disabilities and their carers are exempt from the fee, but will need to register their visit online before arriving.
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 central part of Venice that centers around the Grand Canal, as well as 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 the cruise dock is).
The entrance fee does not apply to many of the nearby islands in the lagoon, including: Lido di Venezia (including Alberoni and Malamocco), 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 applied?
The Venezia Unica website says: “The City Administration may use the tools provided by the regulation to recover evasion and avoidance and in particular carry out inspections, inspections and site inspections by authorized personnel at the main entry points to the City.” Reading between the lines, it looks like people will be scanning QR codes on arrival. These people will be wearing a bib.
What happens if I don’t pay?
You will face a fine. The penalty is between €50 (£43) and €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 entrance fee at a kiosk on arrival.
How do I pay the Venice entrance fee?
You should do that in advance. For complete information, to register your visit to Venice, or to pay the entrance fee, see cda.ve.it.
I’m visiting a friend, do I still have to pay?
Will not be. Friends and acquaintances of people who live in the old city will not have to pay, as long as they have an exemption voucher that the resident is responsible for activating. This can cover the entire length of your stay. Talk to your friend about this before you come.
Is there a limit to the number of people who can visit Venice per day?
As it stands now 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, which is 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 tourist tax, you do not need to pay the entrance fee, although you will still need to register your visit before you arrive (see above).
