Venice has become too expensive, too impractical and just too much of a tourist theme park for most residents to be able to stay. Three decades ago, more than 120,000 people called Venice home. Today, there are 55,000. By 2030, some demographers predict, there could be no more fulltime residents [2].

Venice in 2026 faces a dual crisis of environmental fragility and overtourism. The city is literally "sinking" at an average rate of 1 to 2 millimeters per year, a process exacerbated by rising sea levels due to climate change. To combat this, the MOSE flood barrier system is now frequently deployed during Acqua Alta (high tide) events, but the cost of maintenance is astronomical. Socially, the city is struggling with "depopulation"; as of early 2026, the number of beds for tourists has surpassed the number of permanent residents. In response, Venice has expanded its Access Fee (Contributo di Accesso) to 60 peak dates in 2026, charging day-trippers up to €10 to enter the historic center. This tax aims to fund the repair of infrastructure worn down by 20 million annual visitors and to discourage the "hit-and-run" tourism that provides little economic benefit while straining the delicate lagoon ecosystem.