Amsterdam (Netherlands) is implementing a significant tax increase targeted at tourists (including cruise ship passengers) to enhance its budget for various initiatives, including additional shelter accommodations, poverty alleviation measures, and healthcare support, among other essential services.
Hester van Buren, the city's finance chief, has emphasized the city's commitment to minimizing the impact on its residents while shifting the financial burden towards visitors.
The tourist tax rate is undergoing a substantial adjustment, transitioning from the previous structure of 7% over the hotel room charge plus a EUR 3 per person per night fee to a flat 12.5% calculated solely on the hotel room fee.
Two individuals staying in a EUR 200 per night hotel room will pay EUR 20-25 (25%) tax.
Cruise ship passengers arriving in Amsterdam now will pay a EUR 11 per person charge - ~37% increase from the previous EUR 8 per person fee.
Amsterdam City has introduced a Day Tourist Tax for transit cruisers/tourists traveling on sea and river ships docking within the city's municipal boundaries. In 2019, the city raised the daily cruiser tax to EUR 8 per person, applicable to individuals aged 2 and above.
It's worth noting that crew members remain exempt from this tax.