On June 5th, the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) approved legislation permitting municipalities experiencing significant tourism-related pressures to impose a tourist tax of 3% per overnight stay. This measure encompasses cruise passengers among those subject to the fee.
The legislative initiative emerged from a political compromise among the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party (SV), and Centre Party, with additional support from the Red Party and the Green Party (MDG). The law stipulates that municipalities must demonstrate that tourism places a significant burden on local infrastructure and public services. Furthermore, a detailed plan outlining the intended use of the revenue, developed in collaboration with the business sector and approved by the ministry, is required before implementation.
Rune Stostad, a Labour Party Member of Parliament and proponent of the tax, indicated that municipalities would be responsible for assessing whether they face heavy tourism pressure and for providing the necessary documentation.
The tax aims to address the challenges posed by record-high tourist numbers, with Norway recording 38 million visitors in 2024. The revenue generated is intended to fund improvements in public facilities such as toilets, parking lots, and visitor centers, particularly in areas where high visitor volumes strain local resources.
This development aligns Norway with a growing global trend of implementing tourist taxes to manage overtourism and invest in infrastructure, joining countries like Italy, Spain, and France in adopting similar measures.