What changed·Jul 24, 2026

Edinburgh's visitor levy took effect

Paid overnight stays in Edinburgh now carry a 5% levy on the room rate, charged before VAT and capped at the first five nights, collected by the accommodation. It is the first percentage visitor levy in the UK, and Glasgow follows with its own 5% from 25 January 2027.

Why it matters: If you are booking Edinburgh, the sticker price is not the total: budget roughly 5% on top of the room.

This is the permanent record of one change. The current fact lives on the guide linked above, which is re-checked on a schedule. For how we check and correct, see our methodology.