Tampere seeks impact study before adopting 2–5% tourist tax

Aamulehti reports that Tampere will consider a proposed 2–5 percent tax on hotel nights, but wants a broad impact assessment before making any decision. The city sent its statement to the Ministry of Finance, Aamulehti reports.

Under the draft law, municipalities could levy 2–5 percent on the VAT-exempt price of lodging. The law is slated to take effect on 1 March 2027, with the tax applied from the start of 2028, the mayor-signed statement says.

Tampere does not reject the idea outright but warns the levy must be evaluated carefully for its effects on visitor costs, demand, business conditions and the city's competitiveness.

The statement says any revenue should stay with the municipality and be used to develop tourism and Tampere's appeal. It notes that more than 85 percent of overnight stays in Tampere are domestic, so the charge would mainly affect Finnish families, weekend visitors, event-goers, business travellers and students.

Tourism brings about €730 million annually to Tampere. It supports roughly 2,400 person-years of employment.

Tourism and Restaurant Services MaRa has urged the government to halt preparations, arguing the tax would weaken hotel price competitiveness and hit family-owned hotels hardest.