Kazakh tourists will need to book Venice visits in advance starting 2026
Tengrinews.kz – Travelers planning a trip to Venice should be aware of a new rule: starting in 2026, the city will reintroduce an entry fee for day-trippers, Time Out reports.
From that year, visitors coming for just one day will have to book their trip in advance and pay for a special pass. The fee will be €5 with early booking and €10 for late purchases. The measure will apply for 60 selected days between April and July.
How it works
Tourists will need to register on a dedicated online platform and obtain a QR code, which will be scanned at train stations, bus terminals, and other entry points. Random checks will also take place in the historic center. Those without a pass could face fines of up to €300 (around 190,000 tenge).
The fee does not apply to local residents, overnight visitors staying in hotels, students and workers in the city, or tourists arriving after 4:30 p.m. and leaving before 8:30 a.m.
When to pay in 2026
The entry fee will be enforced on specific dates:
April: 3–6, 10–12, 17–19, 24–30
May: 1–3, 8–10, 15–17, 22–24, 29–31
June: 1–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28
July: 3–5, 10–12, 17–19, 24–26
Why the rule is being introduced
Venice has long struggled with overtourism. Each year, about 30 million people visit the city, most staying only a few hours. The influx drives up prices, strains local life, and damages historic infrastructure. The new fee is intended to reduce day-tripper traffic and encourage longer stays, boosting local businesses.
During a trial period in 2024, nearly 485,000 passes were issued, generating about €2.4 million in revenue for Venice.
"We don’t want to close Venice to visitors, but we must regulate the flow, otherwise we risk losing the city itself," said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro.
Similar challenges with mass tourism have also been reported in Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris. Experts advise travelers to plan ahead, choose less crowded seasons, and support local businesses to make their trips more sustainable and beneficial for residents.