Canadians to pay new tourist tax to visit popular European destination
Canadian travellers heading to Norway will soon face an added cost as a new tourist tax is rolling out.
Tourists from Canada who are planning to visit Norway this year for the fjords, the midnight sun, and the Northern Lights could be subject to the upcoming tourist tax announced last year. According to Forbes, the tax has been in discussion for years and was finally approved in 2025.
The approval comes after the Scandinavian country welcomed a record-breaking number of tourists. According to Statistics Norway, commercial accommodation establishments recorded 40.6 million guest stays in 2025, a 5 per cent increase from 2024. Over 14 million of those recorded stays were by foreign guests.
Senior advisor Kristin Aasestad at Statistics Norway stated that 2025 is the first time that the country has registered such a high number of foreign guest stays.
“Favourable exchange rates combined with marketing efforts promoting Norway as a destination for unique natural attractions may explain the increase in tourists from abroad,” she stated.
How much do you have to pay?
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Called the besĆøksbidrag or the visitor contribution tax, the new measure is an accommodation tax set at three per cent of the accommodation price, excluding the value-added tax (VAT). According to the Government of Norway, the tax can be applied throughout the year or select months, and municipalities can choose if they want to participate in the tax scheme.
The tax will apply to a wide range of accommodations, including rental rooms, apartments, cabins, houses, hostels, hotels, and cruise ships. However, leisure boats in guest harbours, as well as motorhomes, caravans, and tents at campsites, will be exempt.
The tax will also extend to the small Arctic town of Longyearbyen, which has seen a surge in tourism in recent years. Officials say the added revenue will help the community better manage the growing number of visitors.
Tourists won’t have to pay the tax separately, as it will be collected by operators.
When does the new tax rate kick in, and why is it being implemented?
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The visitor contribution tax kicks in on July 1, 2026.
The government states that the tax will help provide relief in “areas with a particularly heavy burden from tourism.” Revenue can go towards conservation efforts and infrastructure.
“Visitor contributions have been requested by several municipalities with high visitor pressure for a long time,” said Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth. “I am concerned that there must be trust between tourists and the local population, and visitor contributions can contribute to this.”
Other popular destinations, such as Japan and Spain, have also hiked tourist taxes.