Venice Access Fee

Venice access fee is back in 2025—and this time, it’s bigger and more structured. If you’re planning a day trip to the historic heart of La Serenissima, you’ll need to factor in a new calendar, new prices, and new rules. Designed to protect Venice from overtourism and preserve its fragile beauty, this system now applies to 54 days across spring and summer, with a dynamic pricing model based on when you book. Here’s exactly what you need to know before setting foot on the lagoon.

Why is Venice charging an Access Fee?

Venice is unique, fragile, and under constant pressure from mass tourism. Millions of day-trippers crowd into the city yearly, especially during peak season, contributing to congestion, pollution, and rising maintenance costs, without necessarily supporting the local economy. The Venice access fee is not about making Venice an exclusive destination. It’s about encouraging more responsible tourism and preserving the city’s future. In short: less quantity, more quality. Fewer rushed visits, more immersive stays.

When will Venice Access Fee be applied in 2025?

Unlike a flat year-round rule, the access fee only applies on selected high-traffic dates, and in 2025, there will be more of them than ever before. The city has announced 54 days when the fee will be enforced, a significant increase from the 29 days in 2024.

Here’s the 2025 calendar at a glance:

• April 18 to May 4 (continuous stretch)
• Additional days in May: 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31
• June: 1–2, 6–8, 13–15, 20–22, 27–29
• July: 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 25–27

On these days, the fee will apply between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. — meaning you don’t have to pay if you arrive before or after those times.

How much is the Venice Access Fee?

There are now two price tiers depending on when you reserve:

• €5 if you book your access at least four days in advance
• €10 if you book three days or fewer before your visit

So yes, early planning pays off — literally.

Note that this fee applies only to day visitors. If you stay overnight in Venice (historic center or nearby islands), you’re exempt, though you still need to register your exemption online.

Who needs to pay?

The access fee applies to all individuals aged 15 and over who enter the historic center of Venice on designated days if they are not staying overnight in the city.

This includes:

• Cruise passengers not disembarking at overnight stops
• Day-trippers arriving by train, car, bus, or boat
• Independent travelers and groups alike

It does not apply to those visiting areas like Murano, Burano, Lido, Pellestrina, and other smaller islands — only to the historic core (San Marco, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, etc.).

Who is exempt?

Several categories are automatically excluded from the fee, including:

• Residents of the City of Venice
• Students enrolled in schools or universities in the city
• Workers (both employees and freelancers)
• People with health appointments or legal obligations
• Visitors with close family ties to residents (up to 3rd-degree relatives)
• Children under 14

You’re also exempt if:

• You are staying in registered accommodation in Venice (hotels, B&Bs, apartments)
• You’re a resident of the Veneto region
• You are attending certain approved events, such as:
  • Salone Nautico Venezia (May 30 – June 2)
  • Vogalonga regatta (June 8)

In all cases, the exemption must be declared and registered online via the official platform.

How to register and pay?

Whether paying or claiming an exemption, the process is centralized on a multilingual, multichannel platform: https://cda.ve.it.

Here’s how it works:

1. Select your date of visit
2. Indicate whether you’re paying or claiming an exemption
3. Provide personal details
4. Receive your QR code via email

If requested, you’ll need to show the QR code at entry points like Santa Lucia train station, Piazzale Roma, or ferry terminals. Keep it handy on your phone or printed out.

Skipping the fee (when required) can cost you more than a guilty conscience. Fines range from €50 to €300, and if you make false declarations, you could even face criminal charges under Italian law.

Yes, Venice is serious about this. So don’t take the risk.

Venice still welcome you, just differently

This isn’t about scaring off travelers. It’s about protecting a global treasure and improving the visitor experience. Imagine strolling through quieter calli, enjoying honest conversations with locals, and seeing a more authentic side of the city. That’s the Venice that the access fee is trying to preserve.

So plan, get your QR code, and embrace the opportunity to explore Venice with more awareness — and less rush.

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