Extension of Entry Duration in Venice Now Lasts for 60 Days
Venice, the iconic Italian city famed for its canals, is set to implement a more frequent entry fee for day-trippers next year. The measure, which aims to manage mass tourism, has been a topic of controversy since its inception.
Starting from April 3, 2026, and ending on July 26, visitors will be required to pay an entry fee to spend time in the streets around St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge during the day. This marks an expansion from the current 60 days on which the fee is charged, a significant increase from the initial 29 days when the fee was first introduced.
The entry fee, known as the "contributo di accesso" in Italian, has been a point of contention among critics who argue that it does little to deter visitors from coming to Venice. Despite this, the city administration maintains that the fee is necessary to better manage tourism in the city.
The exact amount of the future entry fee has not been decided yet, but in 2025, the fee was up to 10 euros on busy days, with early bookings paying 5 euros. Hotel guests remain exempt from the fee while still paying a tourist tax. Long-term visitors are exempt from the daily fee but must still pay an overnight tax.
Despite efforts to enforce the fee, many day-trippers have managed to avoid paying it. The city administration recently announced the more frequent charging of the entry fee in an attempt to increase compliance.
The entry fee is part of a broader effort to address the challenges posed by mass tourism in Venice. The city, which is expensive, with a cup of cappuccino at St. Mark's Square costing up to 17 euros, is home to more hotel beds than its permanent residents. Approximately 50,000 people still live in Venice's historic center, fewer than the number of hotel beds available.
Despite the controversy surrounding the entry fee, it has proven to be a successful revenue generator for the city. This year, more than 720,000 day-trippers registered, generating about 5.4 million euros for the city. The regulation for the entry fee is still in a trial phase, with the city administration continually evaluating its effectiveness and impact on tourism in Venice.
