Bucharest Imposes New Tourist Tax Amid Industry Backlash

Effective January 1, 2026, Bucharest visitors must pay a fixed daily levy of 10 RON (~€2). The measure, approved by the General Council on December 23, 2025, applies to all accommodation types, from luxury hotels to Airbnb rentals.

City officials project the tax will generate 15 million RON (~€3 million) annually, earmarked for destination marketing and infrastructure. However, the Romanian Federation of Hotel Industry (FIHR) has sharply criticized the lack of transparency, noting the decision was rushed without private sector consultation or a concrete spending plan. Fines for non-compliance range up to 4,000 RON for businesses.

Why it matters: Additional fees increase price sensitivity for guests. When city-imposed costs rise, operators must defend their own value proposition. This reinforces the need for direct booking channels and owned customer data to bypass OTA commissions, ensuring that the “hospitality tax” doesn’t become a barrier to repeat business but is managed through efficient, transparent digital guest journeys.