With the Winter Olympics, the tourist tax in Milan doubles: it can reach up to 10 euros. The provisions, approved today by the city council, will only apply in 2026, the year the Milan-Cortina Games are held.
But it is not only the capital of Lombardy that will benefit from this, as 50% of the increase must be returned to the state treasury (with a time and method to be determined). This possibility was provided by the Advance Payment decision in October, and Palazzo Marino decided to take advantage of the possibility.
The law stipulates that in 2026 the Municipalities of Lombardy and Veneto, whose area of relevance is at a distance of no more than thirty kilometers from the competition venue, “may increase the amount of the tourist tax, up to 5 euros per night of stay”, as has been provided for other Italian cities.
Therefore, from 1 January 2026 the tax charged per night for each tourist staying in Milan will be broken down: 10 euros in four or five star hotels; 7.4 euros in a three-star hotel; 5 euros in a two-star hotel; 4 euros in one star hotel; 9.5 euros for holiday homes and short-term rentals and bed & breakfasts; 7 euros at the holiday home; 3 euros at youth hostels and open accommodation companies.
The law stipulates that revenues must be used to finance tourism-related interventions, including interventions to support accommodation facilities, maintenance, use and restoration of local cultural and environmental assets and related local public services. The operator’s assessment is negative, although it is worth remembering that a booking boom is expected for the Olympics, with prices rising by up to 160%, while hotel and short-term rental list prices have more than doubled.
