Starting in April 2026, Venice has implemented a more rigorous Access Fee (Contributo di Accesso) system to manage overtourism. For 60 designated peak days between April and July, day visitors aged 14 and older must pay an entry fee of 10 euros if booking late, or 5 euros if booked at least four days in advance. This rule applies only to those visiting between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM; if you are only visiting for dinner or staying overnight, you do not pay the fee, but you still must register on the official city portal to receive a free QR code. There are no physical gates, but "roving inspectors" carry out random spot checks throughout the historic center, and being caught without a valid QR code can result in fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros. Residents, students, and workers remain exempt. The goal of these 2026 rules is to discourage "hit-and-run" tourism on busy holidays and weekends, encouraging visitors to stay longer and contribute more to the local economy while helping fund the massive maintenance costs of the fragile lagoon city.