Edinburgh's Visitor Levy is here, and you can absolutely get on top of it
Edinburgh made history on 24 July 2026, when it became the first city in Scotland to bring in a visitor levy. If you run a hotel, guest house, B&B or self-catering property in the city, you are already part of that story.
Having spent many years in Scotland's boutique hotels, I know a new rule can feel like one more job on a very long list. I genuinely believe this one is manageable. With a clear picture of how it works and a little preparation, it becomes just another part of your routine.
The best operators I have worked with always handled change the same way. They understood it early, put a simple process around it and got back to looking after their guests. That is exactly what I would encourage here.
The levy in plain English
The levy is 5% of the net cost of paid overnight accommodation, charged on the first five consecutive nights of a stay. You add it to the guest's bill and pass it on to the City of Edinburgh Council, so guests never make a separate payment.
It applies right across the sector: hotels, B&Bs and guest houses, hostels, self-catering, caravan parks and campsites. Everyone is playing by the same rules, which is a good thing.
As a quick example, a room at £150 a night means £7.50 of levy per night, or £37.50 over a five-night stay.
One rule is worth knowing early. The levy applies to stays from 24 July 2026, but only for bookings made on or after 1 October 2025. A stay after the start date is not automatically liable, so the booking date matters as much as the arrival date.
The money goes back into the city. The council has said it will be invested in public services, culture, heritage and events, and in the visitor economy that keeps all of us busy.
What it means day to day
For most operators the percentage is the easy part. The real work is in the detail, especially across a busy week with a mix of bookings.
These are the areas where a little help goes a long way:
Checking the booking date as well as the stay date.
Applying the five-night limit on longer stays.
Spotting stays that may be exempt.
Keeping a clear record of every charge, in case the council asks to see it.
The encouraging news is the council's stated approach. It has said it will explain and encourage first, with enforcement as a last resort. The aim is to help operators get it right, not to catch anyone out.
If you have a question, the council's Visitor Levy team is happy to help. You can reach them on 0131 200 2331 or at visitorlevy@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Even so, good records are your best friend. If a question ever comes up, being able to show exactly what you charged and why makes it a short and friendly conversation.
Taking the pressure off
This is where I would like to tell you about something I have been working on. I spent years in hospitality, so I know that kind of admin is where evenings go. I have developed a support tool to take the strain out of the levy, and it is currently being tested with a small group of operators.
Here is what it does for you:
Saves time. The calculations and paperwork are done for you, so you are not wading through spreadsheets at the end of a long shift.
Improves accuracy. The sums are done consistently on every stay, so you are not relying on a calculator and best guesses.
Highlights irregularities. If something looks out of place, it is flagged, so you can sort it out before it becomes a problem.
Works out the levy due. You can see what to collect and what to pass on to the council.
Keeps the records. Everything the council may want to check is kept together and easy to find.
In short, it lets you get on with welcoming guests.
Here is a short demo, using made-up data, so you can see it in action:
I would genuinely love to hear what takes up the most time for you right now. That is how I make it better for every operator who uses it.
Glasgow, Stirling and more are next
Edinburgh is only the start. Four more council areas have confirmed a levy for 2027, and each has its own rate and rules, as VisitScotland sets out.
Area | Rate | Which nights | Starts |
Glasgow | 5% | Any stay | 25 January 2027 |
Aberdeen | 7% | Any stay | April 2027 |
Stirling | 3% | First 7 nights | 14 June 2027 |
West Dunbartonshire | 5% | Any stay | July 2027 |
Do not wait for the start date. Booking dates matter in some of these areas, so you may need to be ready earlier than you think. Stirling's levy, for example, also applies to bookings made from 1 January 2027, and Glasgow has its own booking-date rule that reaches back to bookings taken from 1 April 2026.
If you run more than one property, or take guests who travel between cities, the differences add up quickly. Other councils are looking at a levy too, so it is worth keeping an eye on your own area.
The sensible move is to get your process right now, while Edinburgh is the only city live. What you set up today will carry you through the lot.
Let's talk
Whether you run a boutique hotel, a guest house or a self-catering apartment, you do not have to work this out on your own. Edinburgh's levy is a very manageable change, and a little preparation now will make 2027 a lot smoother.
If you have questions about the levy, or would like to see how my support tool works, get in touch at martin@beyondhospitality.co.uk. I would be delighted to hear from you.
How are you preparing, and what is giving you the most headaches? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts.
Photos from Unsplash: Connor Mollison (Edinburgh skyline), Jonathan Cosens Photography (service bell) and Windows (desk with laptop).
