Norway is the latest country in Europe to impose a tourist tax amid growing concerns about visitor numbers. A new levy was approved by the Norwegian parliament which allows local authorities to charge a 3% tax on overnight stays in tourist hotspots.

Funds raised from the tax should be ploughed into infrastructure schemes which promote tourism to the benefit of visitors and locals alike. Councils will have to secure approval for such plans from the national government before spending the money.

Norway’s trade and industry minister, Cecilie Myrseth, said the “historic” agreement was “in line” with tourism tax schemes in the rest of Europe.

Cruise ships making stops in Norway may also be subject to the new levy, especially in parts of the country where overtourism is an issue, according to Euronews.

The country’s breathtaking nature, rich traditions, picturesque fjords and dramatic mountains are proving to be increasingly popular.

In 2024, a record-breaking 38.6 million people booked accommodation in Norway. There were more than 12 million overnight stays by foreigners over the same periodn, up 4.2% on 2023.

Popular spots have reportedly been suffering from the influx of visitors, with some Norwegians complaining of tourists using their gardens as loos when local facilities are busy.

Locals have also complained about congestion on their roads as infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rising visitor numbers.

Norway joins a host of other countries in Europe and around the world which have introduced their own levies.

This includes Venice, which started charging day visitors in spring last year. A tax on overnight stays also applies for the first five nights in short-term accommodation in the City.

In Austria, a tourst tax of about 3.2% applies in Vienna. A levy is imposed at varying rates in different cities in Belgium. Bulgaria’s tourist tax is about £1.30. In Croatia, the rate varies depending where visitors stay and the time of year.

Other countries with a tourist tax include Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovenia and Spain.