Edinburgh is set to become the first city in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax after the Scottish government granted powers to local authorities to introduce visitor charges. Edinburgh’s city council has approved a proposal called the ‘Transient Visitor Levy’ to be introduced in 2026.

Visitors to Edinburgh are to pay a 5 per cent charge on their accommodation from July next year despite an official consultation finding the move is opposed by most businesses and tourists...

The tourist tax for visitors to Edinburgh will be set at 5%, after final details for the proposed levy were confirmed. City councillors will now decide whether to back the new tax - which would take effect from 24 July 2026 - at two meetings later this month.