Anyone visiting Norway could be forced to pay a tourist tax if they're staying at hotel, campsites or Airbnb rentals, a bill submitted to the Norwegian goverment has proposed. If passed, the new legislation could mean that the charges come into force as early as this summer.

The move comes after tourism has surged in Norway, and popular hotspots for tourists in remote communities and wild landscapes have felt their local infrastructure come under strain. Norway is joining countries across Europe which have looked to tax tourists to mitgate the effect of tourism and ensure that the economy is stable and self-sufficient.

The proposal, only published in Norwegian, indicates that municipalities could choose to charge 3% on infrastructure that tourists rely upon. Local areas would have a choice as to whether they wanted to impose the extra costs, and the proposal states that any revenue generated must be used for tourism-related "common goods," such as public toilets, rubbish collection or trail maintenance, Forbes reported.

“We know not every municipality needs this, but in high-pressure areas, it’s about building trust between the local population and visitors,” said Norway’s trade and industry minister Cecilie Myrseth in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

The move has been discussed for years amongst small communities, like the Lofoten Islands, which become exceedingly busy during popular holiday periods. It marks a change in Norway's approach and signals a desire to protect the country's natural assets.

A new national record in Norway was set in 2024, with over 38 million overnight stays recorded - a figure that may have pushed government officials to act. The tourism industry expressed concern that a levy of 5%, as was initially proposed, would be bad for business.

Critics argue that leaving out those on day trips - and only charging those staying overnight - is unfair because much of the strain on infastructure is caused by those visiting without necessarily staying overnight.

Though cruise ships are not included in this first phase the goverment has indicated that it could introduce new measures in the future, suggesting this new approach is here to stay.

Norway's centuries old 'right to roam' law is one reason for the high levels of tourists, and this proposal is the latest step on a path to balance this with sustainable tourism.

Italy, France and Spain have had local taxes for several years. Unlike Venice's forced entry fee, or Amesterdam's per night visitor tax, there is no requirement for the areas to adopt the proposal, it is left to their own discretion. This means it is currently uncertain where tourists will have to pay more.

So, if you're planning to visit Norway on a budget this summer, make sure you check if the area you intend to go to has been affected.