Russia Introduces Tax That Will Affect Belarusians

You will have to pay for every day.

A tourist tax was introduced in Russia on January 1, 2025. The ability to introduce it was given to the authorities of regions and cities of federal significance, writes the Russian publication RBC. We explain what will change for Belarusians.

In the conditions of a closed airspace with Europe, difficulties in obtaining a visa and queues at the borders, Russia is the largest tourist destination for Belarusians.

Now they will face a tourist tax – a new mandatory payment on revenue from hotel activities. At the moment, such cities as Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Arkhangelsk, Perm, Petrozavodsk, Zelenogradsk, Svetlogorsk, Veliky Novgorod, Kazan, as well as the Maykop region of Adygea have introduced it. In the future, this list will clearly increase. The money will be used to improve urban infrastructure, public spaces, and promote the tourist brand of the regions.

The tourist tax is charged on the entire amount of services for temporary accommodation in a hotel or hostel. Its rate is 1% of the price of accommodation in 2025, but not less than 100 Russian rubles (2.8 Belarusian rubles) per day.

The amount seems small, but in the following years it will increase. In 2025 - 1%; in 2026 - 2%; in 2027 - 3%; in 2028 - 4%; from 2029 the rate limit is 5%. In addition, tax rates may vary taking into account the season and (or) the category of the room where the guest is checking in.

The taxpayers will be organizations and individuals who own hotels, hostels, hostels, etc. However, as RBC notes, the new tax will be paid by guests. The facilities will include the tax amount in the cost of the room, not wanting to lose the profitability of the business.

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