The city of Bruges has decided to introduce a 4 euro tax for tourists arriving in the city by cruise ship or bus, just like those who stay overnight. In 2024 Bruges saw a record 8 million tourists.
Currently, only overnight tourists pay a stay tax of 4 euros per person per night. However, the city administration believes it’s fair to charge the same fee to cruise and bus tourists, as they also contribute to the city’s bustling tourism scene, even if they don’t stay overnight.
Mayor Dirk De fauw explains, “If an overnight tourist pays 4 euros, then we believe a cruise tourist should pay 4 euros as well.” He points out that at present, cruise tourists don’t pay anything despite their significant presence in the city. “They spend very little in our restaurants and stores,” he says.
The city’s decision to introduce the tax, effective from January 1, 2027, will include all tourists arriving by cruise ship or bus for a short visit. This tax aims to treat these day visitors the same as overnight tourists.
In 2024, over 557,000 cruise tourists arrived in Zeebrugge. Research shows that around 10% of these passengers remain on board, while 73% of the passengers who disembark head to the city center, which amounts to around 366,000 people visiting Bruges in 2024.
From 2027, all tourists arriving on a cruise ship or bus will be required to pay the 4 euro tax, whether they leave the ship or not. This will bring cruise tourists into the same system as those staying overnight. De fauw has already informed the cruise industry about the upcoming tax, allowing them to adjust their prices accordingly.
The city is also working on a way to identify and track the number of day tourists arriving in Bruges by bus. This is more challenging to determine, especially since many people visit in groups. “We are working on a system to make sure every passenger on a bus pays their share,” says De fauw.
The introduction of this tax is not surprising given that many other port cities have already implemented similar measures. The Balearic government recently proposed plans to drastically increase the so-called ‘Sustainable Tourism Tax’ for visitors. During the high season (June, July, and August), the current tax for cruise passengers on popular islands like Mallorca and Ibiza will rise from €2 per person to €6 per day. Outside the high season, between March and December, passengers will still pay €2, with only January and February – the low season on the islands – being tax-free.
Bruges has also limited the number of cruise ships allowed to dock each day to avoid overcrowding. In 2024, 187 ocean cruise ships docked at Zeebrugge, bringing in a significant number of passengers, particularly during the shoulder seasons in spring and fall.
The new tax will be added to the existing 6.36 euro passenger fee currently paid by cruise passengers at Zeebrugge. The combined cost will be 4 euro for the Bruges tax and likely another 4 euros for those taking organized bus tours. This means some passengers could end up paying twice.
Despite the concerns about the burden on tourists, the city is focusing on spreading out tourism throughout the year, including in the quieter winter months when more cruise lines are offering European routes.
Ultimately, the introduction of this 4 euro tax for cruise and bus tourists is expected to generate additional income for the city. With more than half a million cruise tourists in 2024, the tax will significantly boost Bruges’ tourism revenue, which can be reinvested in the city’s infrastructure and services.