Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed a law that changes how towns can charge overnight visitors a local tourist fee, LoveKraków.pl and Rzeczpospolita reported. The new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2027, LoveKraków.pl reported.

The main change removes a rule that let towns charge the fee only if their air quality met set standards, Rzeczpospolita reported. Only 234 of Poland's roughly 2,500 municipalities charge it now, Rzeczpospolita reported. The Finance Ministry estimates that as many as 1,500 could do so under the new law, Rzeczpospolita reported. Parliament's lower house passed the bill Sept. 28, Rzeczpospolita reported.

The top fee will rise to 5 zloty a night, from 3.46 zloty now, Rzeczpospolita reported. LoveKraków.pl also reported the 5-zloty cap. In spa areas the cap will be 5.50 zloty, and a separate spa fee will be capped at 6.86 zloty, LoveKraków.pl and Rzeczpospolita reported.

Hotels, guesthouses and owners of rental apartments will collect the fee and add it to guests' bills, LoveKraków.pl reported. They will keep at least 10% of what they collect, and the rest goes to the town, Rzeczpospolita reported. Towns can decide whether to charge the fee and whom to exempt, Rzeczpospolita reported. Some groups, such as school groups and people with disabilities, are exempt under the law, Rzeczpospolita reported.

Kraków first proposed changes to the system in 2017, LoveKraków.pl reported. But city officials said the new law does not mean the fee will return there automatically, LoveKraków.pl reported. Kraków can bring the fee back only if the law's conditions are met and the city council passes a resolution, city hall said, according to LoveKraków.pl. The final decision on the fee and its rate will be up to the city, LoveKraków.pl reported.

What we know: The law lets more towns charge a nightly visitor fee from 2027, with a top rate of 5 zloty.
What we don't: Whether Kraków's city council will vote to bring the fee back, and how many towns will charge it.