The powers that be in Venice have decided to stick with the charge for drop-in tourists, a choice that's gotten a mix of cheers and jeers from both visitors and locals. Dropped on October 24, the 2025 blueprint will expand the number of days the fee is active, climbing from 29 in 2024 to 54. There's also a revamp of the fee structure, transitioning from a set fee of 5 euros (around $5.40) in 2024 to a variable rate. Early birds, those booking more than four days in advance, will keep the lower fee of 5 euros, while those booking at the last minute, within three days of showing up, will have to fork out double at 10 euros (about $11).

The fee still only hits visitors to the city's core. Outlying spots like Lido, famous for its beaches, and hotspots like Murano and Burano, which you can get to straight from the mainland, are off the hook for the fee. Travelers just passing through Piazzale Roma (the bus station), Tronchetto, or the port also don't have to pay, provided they don't wander into the city's heart. The booking procedure remains the same, with both those who have to pay and those who don't (like those staying overnight) needing to book through the official webpage. The fee is mandatory for any tourists over 14 just popping in for the day, with some exceptions for sports event participants, relatives up to the third degree of city-center dwellers, and those staying within Venice's boundaries, including Mestre on the mainland. A special pass is also given to sailing enthusiasts heading to the Salone Nautico boat show. There will still be penalties for those who try to skip the ticket system.

"Venice is setting the pace in dealing with overtourism," Mayor Luigi Brugnaro remarked, mentioning that the current setup has helped the city collect data to inform future policies. "Our goal is to craft a fresh strategy for regulating tourist numbers and to reduce day visits at certain times, in tune with the city's fragile and one-of-a-kind character, making sure it gets the respect it's due," he added. The council made it clear that the scheme isn't about making a buck and conceded it's not a silver bullet for controlling the number of visitors.

Venice has also proposed measures on short-term rentals, taking a gentler approach than other cities. In what Brugnaro labeled a "bargain between the council and property owners," from 2025, any property rented out for over 120 days a year will have to sign up with the authorities and stick to "best practice" guidelines. This means meeting guests in person at the property and giving them trash and recycling bags tied to that specific property. Even though waste collection services run six days a week in Venice, tourists not disposing of their trash properly and not recycling enough is a big issue. However, the council hasn't detailed how it plans to make sure tourists use these specific bags.

Property owners also have to give guests a 24-hour contact for any needs. They have 120 days to register their properties once the city council gives the green light. If they don't register, the window to do so will close until December 31, 2026. Brugnaro thinks these rules will encourage "virtuous behavior" that will "better blend with the daily life of residents." These measures are more forgiving compared to stricter rules in other cities dealing with a rise in short-term rentals. For instance, New York City forbids renting out entire properties for less than 30 days but is okay with renting out rooms in a home where the homeowner is around. In Europe, Paris limits rentals to 120 days a year, while Barcelona and Berlin have made it tougher to get permits and have slapped big fines on illegal rentals.

According to Inside Airbnb, Venice is home to 8,322 Airbnb listings, with 77% being whole properties. Two-thirds of the hosts have more than one listing, and the numbers show that the average listing is booked for 98 nights a year, which wouldn't even be touched by the new 'good behavior' rules. Meanwhile, Venice's population has fallen below 50,000 for the first time in centuries, with the lack of long-term rental properties and affordable housing being one of the main causes for this drop. About 30 million visitors flood the streets of Venice each year, putting a lot of pressure on the city's resources and infrastructure.