Venice Access Fee 2026 Explained: What Travelers Need to Know About the “Contributo di Accesso”
Understanding the new system designed to protect the world’s most fragile city
Venice has always balanced between beauty and fragility. From rising tides to record visitor numbers, the city walks a fine line between preservation and hospitality. To help manage that delicate balance, the city introduced the Contributo di Accesso — or Access Fee — a measure aimed at protecting Venice’s heritage while keeping it accessible to all.
After a year-long trial in 2025, the city government has now confirmed how the Access Fee will apply in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your trip — written by locals who live it every day.
🏛️ What Is the “Contributo di Accesso”?
The Contributo di Accesso is a small daily entry fee applied to day-trippers visiting Venice’s historic center — known as the Città Antica. It’s not a “ticket” to enter Venice, but rather a contribution to maintaining the infrastructure and services needed to sustain millions of visitors each year.
The idea is simple: those who spend the night in Venice already pay the existing tourist tax (imposta di soggiorno), but those visiting for just a few hours don’t. The Access Fee bridges that gap, helping support the cleaning, maintenance, and environmental costs of the city built entirely on water.
📅 What Happened in 2025 — and What Changes in 2026
The 2025 experimental phase of the Access Fee officially ended on July 28, 2025. From that date onward, no payment or exemption request was required to visit Venice. The city used that period to collect data and adjust logistics for the permanent framework starting in 2026.
The Venice City Council has since approved the 2026 calendar — specific days on which the Access Fee will apply. These usually coincide with peak visitor days, public holidays, and major events such as Easter week, national long weekends, and summer Saturdays.
The official, continuously updated list is available on the municipal website: cda.ve.it.
💶 How Much Does It Cost?
The Access Fee depends on when you pay:
- €5 per person — if paid at least four days before your visit
- €10 per person — if paid within the last three days before your visit
The fee applies once per person, per day, regardless of how long you stay. There are no discounts or reductions for groups or age categories (except children under 14, who are automatically exempt).
Example: if you plan to visit on a Sunday, booking by Wednesday means you’ll pay €5; waiting until Thursday or later raises it to €10.
🚶 Who Has to Pay — and Who Doesn’t
The Access Fee applies to anyone entering the historic center of Venice on applicable days, unless they meet one of the official exemptions. You do not have to pay if you:
- Stay overnight in Venice — hotel guests already pay the city lodging tax
- Are a resident of the Veneto region visiting for work, study, or medical reasons
- Are under 14 years of age
- Are entering only limited transport areas such as Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, or the cruise terminal without crossing into the historic core
- Are visiting the smaller lagoon islands (Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant’Erasmo, Pellestrina, Lido, etc.) — these remain excluded for 2026
You can always check whether you qualify for exemption by visiting the official “Esenzioni / Exemptions” page before traveling.
🧾 How to Get Your Access Code
The city has made the process as simple as possible — no need for paper tickets or lines at kiosks.
- Go to cda.ve.it (official site).
- Select your travel date and indicate whether you are staying overnight, visiting for the day, or qualify for an exemption.
- Complete payment online via credit card, PayPal, or in Italian tobacco shops displaying the Punto LIS logo.
- You’ll receive a QR code / voucher by email — keep it with you (digital copy is fine) while in Venice.
Alternatively, you can pay via WhatsApp by scanning the QR code available on the official website. The system automatically generates your access voucher in seconds.
🗺️ The Areas Where the Fee Applies
The Access Fee applies only to the Città Antica — Venice’s historic center — excluding specific transit and connection zones:
- Exempt areas: Ponte della Libertà, Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, Santa Lucia Station, and the direct connection routes to these points
- Included areas: all neighborhoods within Venice’s main islands (San Marco, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Castello, San Polo, Santa Croce)
The fee does not apply to the minor islands of the lagoon — Murano, Burano, Torcello, Pellestrina, Sant’Erasmo, Mazzorbo, the Lido (including Alberoni and Malamocco), and others listed on the official site.
💡 Local Insight — What It Really Means for Visitors
As Venetian guides, we’ve seen many headlines exaggerate what the Access Fee is. Here’s the truth: you don’t need a “ticket to enter Venice.” You’re simply asked to make a small contribution if you’re visiting for the day. That’s all. It doesn’t change your freedom to wander, explore, or fall in love with the city — it just helps Venice keep its bridges, squares, and canals alive for the next generation.
And if you’re spending the night, nothing changes for you: your imposta di soggiorno already covers your contribution. You can arrive, unpack, and start exploring instantly.
🧭 How to Plan Your Visit Smoothly
Our local tip? Combine your Access Fee reservation with your itinerary planning. If you’re coming for just one day, avoid peak hours (10 am – 2 pm). Early mornings and evenings are magical — and crowd-free.
To experience Venice as locals do, join our Explore Venice Off the Beaten Path Tour. You’ll discover quiet calli, artisan workshops, and hidden churches that show the city beyond the tourist flow — the real heart that this initiative aims to protect.
Visiting during November or spring? Check out Venice in November: A Guide to Seasonal Festivals for an insider look at the cultural calendar when crowds fade and the lagoon regains its calm rhythm.
And if you plan to explore major sites, secure your Skip-the-Line Tickets for St Mark’s Basilica — November and winter are ideal for visiting without queues.
🌊 Why the Access Fee Exists — and Why It Matters
Venice welcomes around 20 million visitors each year — extraordinary for a city of only 50,000 residents. That success comes at a price: more waste, crowded transport, and pressure on ancient infrastructure. The Access Fee isn’t about discouraging visitors; it’s about sustainability — helping those who love Venice contribute to its care.
It’s part of the #EnjoyRespectVenezia campaign, encouraging mindful tourism: fewer crowds, cleaner canals, happier locals. Think of it less as a ticket, and more as a thank-you note to the city that inspires the world.
📅 Final Notes for 2026 Travelers
- The 2026 Access Fee applies only on specific high-traffic days — check cda.ve.it before you travel.
- If you’re staying overnight in Venice, no Access Fee is due (your lodging tax covers it).
- Always carry your digital or printed QR voucher if you’re visiting for the day.
- Children under 14 and residents are exempt.
- No fee applies on the smaller lagoon islands.
🌙 Venice Welcomes You — Responsibly
Venice isn’t closing her doors — she’s learning how to keep them open longer. The Access Fee is part of that balance. Whether you stay a day or a week, you’ll be helping preserve the floating city for future dreamers.
So come early, wander slowly, and remember: every bridge you cross, every reflection in the water, exists because generations cared enough to protect it.
Discover Venice Off the Beaten Path →
Do I need to pay the Venice Access Fee if I’m staying overnight?
No. If you have a hotel or apartment booking in Venice, you’ve already paid the city’s lodging tax (imposta di soggiorno). The Access Fee applies only to day-trippers visiting the historic center without spending the night.
How much is the Venice Access Fee in 2026, and when does it apply?
In 2026, the fee is €5 per person if paid at least four days in advance, or €10 if paid closer to your visit. It applies only on specific high-traffic days — mainly weekends, holidays, and major events. You can always check the updated calendar on cda.ve.it before traveling.
How do I pay and get my Venice Access Code?
Visit cda.ve.it, select your date, and complete payment online. You’ll instantly receive a QR code by email — keep it on your phone or printed copy while in Venice. You can also pay via WhatsApp or in tobacco shops showing the Punto LIS logo.
