Edinburgh becomes the first city in Scotland to introduce a tourist tax, with visitors staying overnight in the capital facing an extra charge from today.The new Edinburgh Visitor Levy will add a five per cent fee to the cost of paid overnight accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering apartments and short-term lets. The charge will apply to the first five nights of a stay and will be added before VAT is calculated. So, for a five-night stay in a £200-a-night hotel, guests would pay an additional £50 on the cost of their stay.The levy will come into effect for stays from today, July 24, 2026, although it will only apply to bookings made and paid for, either fully or partly, from October 1, 2025.Edinburgh introduces tourist tax from today | GETTYFor British holidaymakers planning a trip to Edinburgh, the change means accommodation costs will increase slightly. The money raised will be reinvested into the city, with the aim of improving services, infrastructure and attractions for both residents and visitors, according to Edinburgh City Council.It estimates the scheme could raise up to £50million a year once fully established, with funds intended to support public spaces, culture, heritage, events and projects designed to make tourism more sustainable.Scotland’s capital welcomes millions of visitors every year, with events such as the Fringe Festival – which starts on August 7 this year – putting extra pressure on local services, transport, streets and public spaces. Asking tourists to contribute towards maintaining the city they are visiting could help manage the impact of high visitor numbers.Edinburgh is following in the footsteps of many popular European destinations, including cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice, which already charge visitors additional fees.Some tourism businesses have warned that higher prices could discourage visitors, particularly during a time when many holidaymakers are already watching their spending.There are also questions over how the money will be used and whether the benefits will be noticeable for both locals and tourists.Visitors will be charged for the first five consecutive nights of their stay | GETTY The scheme is designed to protect the city’s future as a leading cultural destination while ensuring tourism continues to benefit local residents, the council stated. The introduction of the levy could also pave the way for other Scottish destinations to follow, after legislation allowing councils to introduce visitor charges was approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2024.