Venice mayor seeks to raise day-tripper entry fee to €50 to curb overtourism
Newly elected mayor Simone Venturini has proposed increasing Venice's entry fee for short-stay visitors to between 30 and 50 euros on certain days, arguing the current charge of 5 to 10 euros does little to curb mass tourism.
The proposal
Venturini, who took office on 16 June after winning the municipal election on 25 May, floated the idea during a conversation with President Mattarella on 17 June, according to local media. He told reporters his programme was clear: to reform and evolve the fee system. The mayor said he intends to request a meeting with the government in Rome because the upper limit of the charge is set by national legislation.
If it is currently between five and ten euros, my proposal is to raise it to between 30 and 50 euros on certain days.
The current entry fee
Venice first introduced a day-tripper access charge in 2024, initially applying to 29 high-traffic days. The scheme gradually expanded: 54 days in 2025 and now 60 days from 3 April to 26 July in 2026, covering most weekends and some weekdays. Visitors who book at least three days in advance pay €5, while last-minute arrivals pay €10. The fee applies between 8:30 and 16:00 for non-residents over 14 who do not stay overnight; hotel guests already pay a separate tourist tax of a few euros per night. Those failing to pay face fines of €50 to €300.
- First entry fee introduced: 5 euros for 29 days in spring and summer
- Fee expanded to 54 days; last-minute price doubles to 10 euros
- 2026 season begins: 60 charging days, 5 euros in advance or 10 euros at short notice
- Mayor Venturini discusses proposal to raise fee to 30–50 euros with President Mattarella
- Proposal made public; Venturini says he will seek government approval for higher tariff
Effectiveness and criticism
Early data suggests the lower rate is not deterring tourists. The city administration reports that so far this year, on 42 charging days, 268,000 tickets were sold at the full €10 rate compared with 245,000 at the discounted €5 rate, indicating many visitors accept the higher price. Councillor for tourism Michele Zuin acknowledged the narrow gap has little impact.
Between five and ten euros there is no big difference. If the difference were bigger, the impact would be different.
Revenue has nonetheless grown: the municipality collected €2.4 million in the first year and €5.4 million in 2025, with management and personnel costs of just under €3 million that year. Critics, however, argue the charge fails to reduce overcrowding and call instead for a comprehensive tourism policy. Some hotel industry representatives, including the head of Confcommercio Roberto Panciera, urge a year-long ticket to cover maintenance costs of the UNESCO-listed city.
- 2024
- 2.4 EUR million
- 2025
- 5.4 EUR million
Legal and political hurdles
Because the entry fee was introduced under a municipal regulation that had to respect a ceiling set by a national law, any increase requires approval from the government in Rome. Constitutional law scholar Ludovico Mazzarolli warned in the Corriere della Sera that a €50 charge could be interpreted as a restriction on freedom of movement. Venturini had already signalled during his election campaign that he would push for a higher, more differentiated tariff to discourage brief visits that generate crowding without overnight revenue.
Global context
Venice is not alone in experimenting with tourist entrance fees. The Swiss village of Iseltwald charges CHF 5 for access to a lakeside pier that became a selfie spot after featuring in a Korean Netflix series, and the Tuscan island of Giglio introduced a €3 daily visitor charge in spring 2023. The debate in Venice unfolds as Italy's summer season intensifies and other destinations monitor the results of the city's experiment.
