Edinburgh has brought its new 5 per cent visitor levy into force on all overnight accommodation.
The Scottish capital has imposed the charge on all stays from 24 July onwards, which were booked and paid for from 1 October 2025.
The levy is only charged on the first five nights’ stay and is applied before VAT. It is also not charged on extras, such as parking, meals, drinks and transport.
Edinburgh City Council leader Jane Meagher said that the levy could potentially generate up to £50 million annually by 2029.
“This money will help to sustain, support and enhance the very things that make Edinburgh an exceptional place to visit, while improving the quality of life for those of us who live here,” added Meagher in a statement.
Edinburgh is the first Scottish city to charge an overnight accommodation levy, but other UK cities such as Manchester and Liverpool have already imposed their own charges of £1 and £2 per night on accommodation bookings respectively.
More areas of England are also set to impose accommodation levies after the UK government committed to give majors of the country’s largest cities, including London, the power to impose them. This came despite strong opposition from business travel groups and the wider hospitality sector.