Chaos as holiday hotspot plans to hit Brits with new 20% tax

A popular holiday destination could introduce a 20% tourist tax in a bid to ease “significant pressure on public spaces and quality of life”. Amsterdam is one of the most-visited European cities by British tourists, favoured for its proximity and combination of legendary nightlife, picturesque canals and world-class museums.

While tourism is a massive pillar of the Dutch city’s economy, contributing up to 10% of its annual gross domestic profit (GDP), officials are eyeing a complete overhaul of its holidaymaker trade. New government proposals could see Amsterdam’s already high 12% tax on overnight visitors hiked to 20%, with a major cruise port also closed and local businesses bought out in a bid to “transform” the city centre.

A coalition agreement document published this week says: “Amsterdam remains an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Tourism contributes to the city’s economy, but at the same time, places significant pressure on public spaces, quality of life and municipal facilities.”

It adds: “The coalition has therefore decided to increase the tourist tax, so that visitors make a fairer contribution to the costs the city incurs for management, maintenance, enforcement and investments in the quality of the living environment.”

The proposed closure of Amsterdam’s cruise port terminal would also end arrivals by sea entirely, while the buyout of central businesses would likely be aimed at reclaiming the city’s historic centre for locals.

The local government has also suggested hiking the city’s entertainment levy, a charge paid by boat tours and vessel rentals on its canal network.

The measures will be discussed on June 10 and approved or rejected by the City of Amsterdam council as part of the government’s agenda for the next four years.

It’s not the first time officials have attemped to curb the city’s tourist appeal, with a ‘Stay Away’ campaign launched in 2023 aimed at discouraging rowdy stag party-type visitors.

The number of Brits holidaying in Amsterdam dropped as a result, with arrivals plummeting by 22% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Despite the decline, the UK remains one of the top inbound travel markets to the Netherlands, alongside the US, Germany and Belgium.

International demand as a whole hasn’t been dented by local efforts to keep visitors away, with 9.5million holidaymakers recorded in 2025, alongside 23.7million overnight stays.