Announcement vs effective: The city confirmed the 2026 application window and dates in September 2025; the effective days are the 60 calendar dates shown below. Pricing follows the city’s system used in 2025 (€5 if booked early; €10 for late bookers), with local updates noting the city may expand when the €10 rate kicks in. We’ll flag any official change, but plan around €5–€10. live.comune.venezia.it+1
The 2026 calendar (60 dates) and hours
Hours: 08:30–16:00 (arrival or presence in the Ancient City during this window triggers the fee unless exempt). CDA
Dates (2026):
- April: 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
- May: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31
- June: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
- July: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
These dates were published by the city’s Access Fee information portal and echoed by reputable outlets. Tip: They cluster on Fri–Sun and holiday peaks. CDA+1
Who pays (and who doesn’t)
Who typically pays (cruise day-visitors): Anyone aged 14+ entering the Ancient City during 08:30–16:00 on a chargeable date, unless they meet an official exclusion or exemption category. This includes people arriving by tender, shuttle bus, people mover, train, or on foot. comune.venezia.it
Major exemptions (simplified for cruisers):
- Under 14 (carry ID if your child could be mistaken for older).
- Veneto residents, Venice residents or born in Venice (show ID).
- Overnight guests inside the municipal territory (hotel, hostel, licensed apartment) are exempt, but must obtain an exemption voucher via Venezia Unica (often with accommodation help) covering arrival-departure days.
- Workers/commuters, students based in the historic center or minor islands (documentation needed).
- People accessing only the transport/port zones (Ponte della Libertà, Piazzale Roma, Santa Lucia station, Stazione Marittima, San Basilio, Tronchetto) and staying within those areas.
- Disabled visitors and certain accompanying persons (with appropriate documentation). Venezia Unica
Important nuance for cruise guests: Being on an organized shore excursion does not automatically exempt you. Unless your excursion both remains entirely in exempt port/transport areas (rare) and falls fully outside 08:30–16:00, you should assume each eligible guest needs a QR (paid or exemption). Tour operators have their own interface, but the underlying rule is per-person compliance. Venezia Unica+1
Price: €5 (early) or €10 (late)—how Venice applies it
In 2025, Venice charged €5 if you reserved ≥4 days before your visit and €10 if you booked within 4 days / last-minute. For 2026, local updates state the same base (€5/€10) with flexibility for the city to expand the €10 window on busier days via a subsequent act. As of now, plan for €5–€10 per adult (14+) per applicable day. Metropolitano.it+2Corriere del Veneto+2
Exactly what cruise day-visitors must do (step-by-step)
- Check your date. If your call falls on any of the 60 dates above and you’ll step into the Ancient City between 08:30–16:00, proceed to book (or claim an exemption). CDA
- Go to the official portal. Use Venezia Unica (the city’s portal) to pay or register an exemption. You’ll get a QR voucher by email and on-screen. Save it to your phone (wallet/screenshot) and consider a printout as backup. comune.venezia.it
- If you’re exempt (e.g., overnight stay): Register the exemption in the system and keep the QR exemption voucher. Many hotels help with this; the exemption covers arrival–departure days. Venezia Unica
- If traveling with kids under 14: No payment is due. Carry ID proving age if requested. Venezia Unica
- Boarding/tendering day-of: Have the QR ready before going ashore. Spot checks occur in popular corridors and squares inside the Ancient City; inspectors will scan your QR (paid or exemption). comune.venezia.it
- Plans changed? You can cancel and refund the paid voucher up to the day before your booked date directly on the portal (use your booking code). Useful if the call is canceled or retimed. Venezia Unica
Pro tip for late arrivals/early departures: If you arrive after 16:00 or leave before 08:30 and do not spend time in the Ancient City during the 08:30–16:00 window, the fee does not apply. Double-check tender/transfer timing. CDA
Where the Access Fee applies (and where it doesn’t)
- Applies: The Ancient City of Venice (historic center). Entering or being there 08:30–16:00 on a chargeable date triggers the rule. comune.venezia.it
- Does not apply (2026 plan): Minor islands (e.g., Lido, Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, etc.) per the city’s 2026 note—but reaching those via the Ancient City may still place you inside fee zones. Route accordingly. live.comune.venezia.it
- Transport/port interface areas (Piazzale Roma, Santa Lucia, Stazione Marittima, San Basilio, Tronchetto) are exempt areas only while you remain within them—once you pass into the Ancient City during the window, the fee rules resume. Venezia Unica
How this affects common cruise scenarios
1) Big-ship day call (bussed to Tronchetto or Marittima) during 08:30–16:00 on a listed date
If you’ll go into San Marco/Rialto or any Ancient City area, assume you need a QR (paid or exemption). Book ≥4 days ahead to target the €5 rate; late booking can be €10. If you truly remain in port/transport zones only, you’re in an exempt area, but most guests venture into the city. Venezia Unica+1
2) Tendered call arriving ~07:30, back on board by 12:30, listed date
You’re present in the Ancient City during the window → book/pay (or register an exemption if applicable). Keep QR ready for spot checks ashore. comune.venezia.it
3) Evening call after 16:30 on a listed date
No Access Fee—outside the 08:30–16:00 window. (Normal city lodging tax still applies to hotel stays, but that’s separate.) CDA
4) Pre- or post-cruise hotel night in Venice
You’re exempt as an overnight guest, but register the exemption in the portal and carry the QR exemption voucher. This is the cleanest path for guests staying ashore. Venezia Unica
5) Port skip or weather cancel
Use Venezia Unica → Cancel voucher for a refund up to the day before the booked date. If a last-minute same-day cancellation occurs, check with the portal/support. Venezia Unica
Official process, in detail (Venezia Unica)
Portal: cda.veneziaunica.it (English/Italian). From here you can Pay, Find, or Cancel your voucher and review Exemptions and FAQ. The QR proves either payment or exemption. Keep it with you while ashore. Venezia Unica+2Venezia Unica+2
Payment timing: For best pricing, book at least 4 days ahead; late bookings are typically €10 based on the 2025 rule, which the city signaled may be widened on some 2026 days. Metropolitano.it+1
Documentation:
- Paying guests: QR on phone + normal ID.
- Exempt guests: QR exemption + any proof (hotel reservation, student/work ID, disability documentation, etc.) matching the category. Venezia Unica
Fine print & 2026 watch-outs
- City’s 2026 act: Venice’s press note in Sept 2025 set the dates and confirmed the season; it also said the final measure of the contribution (how and when the €10 applies) would be determined by a subsequent act. Local coverage indicates €5/€10 continues, possibly with more days at €10 to push early bookings. We’ll update when the formal tariff act is published. live.comune.venezia.it+1
- Minor islands: The fee does not apply on minor islands in 2026. But many routes from the port to those islands pass through the Ancient City; if you transit or linger in fee areas during the window, you can still be checked. live.comune.venezia.it
- Trial status: The 2024–2026 fee is framed as a trial with adjustments each year. Always check your date the week before sailing. CDA
FAQs for cruise passengers
1) Do organized shore excursions have to pay?
Usually, yes. Being on an organized tour does not create an exemption by itself. Unless your tour never leaves exempt port/transport areas (or runs outside 08:30–16:00), each eligible participant should have a paid or exemption QR. Some operators may coordinate this, but compliance is per person. Venezia Unica+1
2) Are hotel guests exempt?
Yes—overnight guests inside the municipality are exempt, but you should register the exemption and carry the QR exemption voucher (your accommodation can help). This covers arrival to departure days. Venezia Unica
3) How do I show proof if I’m tendering?
Keep the QR voucher (paid or exemption) on your phone (and/or printed) and photo ID. Inspectors may check inside the Ancient City’s main corridors/squares. comune.venezia.it
4) What if my call is outside 08:30–16:00?
If you only enter the Ancient City after 16:00 (or leave before 08:30), the Access Fee doesn’t apply for that day. Verify tender/transfer times vs the official window. CDA
5) Can I get a refund if the call cancels?
Yes—use Venezia Unica → Cancel voucher to refund up to the day before your booked date. Keep your booking code handy. Venezia Unica
