Venice’s controversial “entry fee” for daytrippers is coming back with a vengeance in 2025, applicable on more days than in 2024, and with a higher price for visitors who do not organise themselves ahead of arrival.
A deterrent?
Authorities in the world-famous lagoon city announced the future plan for the tourist levy on 24 October 2024. Describing the city as “at the forefront in tackling overtourism”, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the “objective is still the same: to define a new system for managing tourist flows and discourage daytripper tourism in Venice during certain periods.”
The so-called “access contribution” was criticised in its first trial year, for its failure to significantly reduce footfall in the UNESCO-recognised northeastern Italian capital. Initial results showed revenues from the fee were higher than anticipated, indicating it had not deterred visitors. Residents also complained that the charge was to all intents and purposes an “entry fee” which made their home feel like a theme park. Some of these concerns have been addressed.
How will it work in 2025?
The fee will again be applicable to the historic centre, not the popular islands of Murano, Burano, nor the Lido beach area, and again, anyone making a transit connection at Piazzale Roma (bus station), Tronchetto or the port will also be exempt.
But, in measures trailed by authorities after this year’s pilot, the scope of the fee has been expanded. On designated days, of which there will be 54, almost twice as many as in 2024, every day visitor to Venice over the age of 14 must pay the fee. What’s more, this coming year there will be a two-tier price structure, with those that pay more than four days in advance rewarded for their 2025 forward planning with an entry fee the same as in 2024: just 5 euros.
However, visitors who decide more spontaneously to make a day trip to the city of canals, bridges and gondolas, booking their entry within four days or less of their trip, will have to pay an increased fee of 10 euros.
Encouraging “virtuous behaviour”
This pricing policy suggests officials are attempting to use the fee in a more strategic way, to better predict and manage tourist numbers and their impact. To reserve an entry and pay the fee, would-be Venice visitors will need to visit this website.
The same goes for anyone trying to claim an exemption, which needs to be registered on the same site. Exemptions are possible for anyone visiting family, attending a sports event, or staying overnight.
But even overnight visitors are not immune to Venice’s drive to improve quality of life for locals and reduce the tourism burden on municipal resources. People booking to stay in short-term rentals should be aware that landlords of 120-night-per-year or more properties are now under a series of obligations, including meeting and greeting guests, explaining refuse collection rules and supplying the correct bags, and providing a 24-hour emergency contact.
The good practice pact is intended to encourage “virtuous behaviour” that will “guarantee more compatibility with residents’ daily life,” Mayor Brugnaro said.
