Venice to bring back its controversial entry fee in 2025 – with some people paying double
Venice is bringing back its controversial entry fee in 2025, imposing the charge on nearly twice as many days and doubling the cost for late bookers.
The day-tripper entry fee was introduced in April 2024 and imposed on the 29 busiest days of the year, mostly weekends and public holidays, across a four-month period.
City authorities say it will be imposed on even more days in 2025 after a “successful” trial period.
The mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, said the aim of the fee was to discourage tourists from visiting on the busiest days of the year and “to give Venice the respect it deserves”.
Here is everything you need to know about the Venice entry fee and the existing tourist tax in the city, including how the entry charge is enforced, which parts of Venice it applies to, and the dates when it will be in force in 2025.
How much is the Venice entry fee?
The Venice entry fee will cost €5 (approximately £4.15) in 2025. However, if you book less than four days in advance, the charge rises to €10 (approximately £8.35).
How do I pay the Venice entry fee?.
To register your visit to Venice, or to pay the entry charge, you will have to go on cda.ve.it and follow the instructions. However, at the time of writing the website had not been updated to cover 2025 dates.
When will the charge be implemented in 2025?
The entry fee will be enforced every Friday to Sunday, and on public holidays, between April 18 and July 27, for a total of 54 days. The charge won’t be in force again in 2024.
Who has to pay the Venice entry fee?
The entry fee only applies to day-trippers over the age of 14. If you are staying in paid overnight accommodation where the Venice tourist tax (see below) applies, you will not have to pay the €5 entry fee. However, you will still need to register that you are visiting Venice. Your accommodation provider will be able to give you their facility code, which you must enter when registering your visit and applying for exemption to paying the entry fee.
The only people who need to take no action whatsoever are residents, people born in Venice, anyone travelling to Venice for professional reasons, students enrolled at school or university in Venice, and children under 14 (although they may have to show identification, if asked). Tourists with disabilities and their carers are exempt from the fee, but will have to register their visit online before arrival. How will the entry fee be enforced?
The Venezia Unica website says: “The City Administration may use the tools provided by the regulation for the recovery of evasion and avoidance and in particular carry out audits, inspections and site inspections through authorised personnel at the main entry points to the City.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like there will be people scanning QR codes on arrival. These people will be wearing a bib.
Which parts of the city are covered by the fee?
The fee only applies to people visiting the ancient part of the city – loosely, the core part of Venice around the Grand Canal, plus a handful of nearby islands.
The fee does not apply to people passing through Piazzale Roma (Venice’s gateway for buses, taxis, and trams), Tronchetto (where the car park is located) and Stazione Marittima (where cruises dock).
The entry fee does not apply to many of the nearby islands in the lagoon, including: Lido di Venezia (Alberoni and Malamocco included), Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant‘Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, S Andrea, La Certosa, S Servolo, S Clemente, Poveglia and Sacca Sessola.
How will the entry fee be enforced?
Inspectors in high-vis bibs check visitors’ QR codes at random at the entry points to the city.
What if I don’t pay?
If you are caught, you will face a fine. The penalty ranges from €50 (£41.70) to €300 (£250), plus an additional €10 (£8.34) for the entry fee. In exceptional circumstances (for example, if you do not have access to the internet) visitors are able to pay the entry fee at a kiosk on arrival.
I am visiting a friend, do I still have to pay?
No. Friends and acquaintances of people residing in the old city do not have to pay, so long as they have an exemption voucher whose activation is the responsibility of the resident. This can cover the entire length of your visit. Speak to your friend about this before you arrive.
Is there a cap of how many people can visit Venice per day?
No. As it stands there is no daily capacity limit in Venice.
Is there a separate tourist tax in Venice?
Yes. Any tourist staying overnight must pay a tourist tax, payable at your hotel or accommodation facility for your first five consecutive days of stay. The rate varies between €1 and €5 per night, depending on the time of year, the location of your hotel, and its classification. If you are paying a tourist tax, you do not need to pay the entry fee, although you will still need to register your visit before arrival (see above).
