Scotland’s Parliament has passed a bill enabling local city councils to implement tourist taxes.
The bill will be implemented by Edinburgh in July 2026, and by Glasgow in 2027.
Edinburgh will charge a 5% tourist tax from July 24, 2026, that will cover overnight stays at hotels, B&Bs self-catering accommodation as well as rooms and properties let through websites like Airbnb.
The tax is expected to raise about £50 million (R1,2 billion) annually, which will go towards the maintenance of city infrastructure and improving city spaces.
Glasgow has also just approved the implementation of a tourist tax of 5%.
