A  tourist tax has come into force across Russia today on the first day of the New Year. This tax will replace the resort fee. From January 1, 2025, travelers staying in hotels and other accommodations will contribute an additional 1 percent of the cost of their stay.

The tax was introduced as part of amendments to the Russian Tax Code in July 2024, which added a new chapter called 'Tourist Tax'. This chapter gave regional authorities the right to introduce this tax as a local fee. Many regions, especially those with established or emerging tourism industries, have already adopted it.

How much will tourist tax increase?

Under the current framework, the tourist tax will start at a rate of 1 percent in 2025 and gradually increase to 3 percent by 2027. A minimum daily fee of 100 rubles (US$0.9) has been set to ensure that a minimum contribution is received.

Although hotels and other accommodation providers are technically taxpayers, the cost will be included in the price of accommodation, thus passed on to tourists.

Export duty removed from these things

In addition, local media reported that Russia has also officially removed export duties on coking coal, anthracite, and thermal coal from January 1, 2025. Implemented on October 1, 2023, the export duties were in place until the end of 2024. However, duties on anthracite and thermal coal were later temporarily suspended between May 1 and November 30, 2024.

The decision of the Russian government

In November 2024, the Russian government decided to prematurely remove export duties on coking coal and extended the suspension of duties on anthracite and thermal coal to support the coal industry.