Simone Venturini, who was elected mayor in late May after previously serving as Venice's tourism councillor, said increasing the fee would help manage visitor numbers and protect the fragile lagoon city from the pressures of overtourism.
Venice made global headlines in 2024 when it became the first major tourist city in the world to charge visitors an entrance fee.
Initially, day-trippers paid €5 to enter the Unesco-listed destination on 29 peak dates between April and July.
The scheme returned in 2025 with expanded dates and a penalty for those booking at the last minute, with some visitors paying double.
This year, the system covers 60 dates, but Venturini believes the fee should go even further.
During his election campaign, he pledged to increase the charge to between €30 and €50 depending on demand and visitor numbers.
The city is now studying a proposal that would require approval from the Italian government before it could be introduced.
Venturini said the aim was to discourage visitors during periods of intense tourist pressure while striking a better balance between residents and travellers.
He said: "The admission fee is currently the only effective tool to control daily visitor numbers. We are therefore working on a proposal to make it more effective on high-traffic days, with the aim of finding a new balance between the needs of residents, workers and visitors."
Despite attracting criticism from some quarters, the scheme has generated substantial revenue.
Although authorities have acknowledged that visitor numbers have not yet fallen significantly, the initiative raised €2.4 million during its first year, considerably more than anticipated.
City officials argue that the programme remains a valuable long-term tool in Venice's fight against overtourism.
The entrance fee applies to day visitors entering Venice's historic centre.
Tourists pay online and receive a QR code, which must be shown to stewards stationed at key entry points, including Venezia Santa Lucia railway station.
Not everyone is required to pay.
Visitors staying overnight in Venice are exempt from the charge, although they must still register their presence through the booking platform. Residents of the wider Veneto region and children under the age of 14 are also excluded from the scheme.
Venturini insisted that any money raised through the fee would be reinvested into preserving the city and supporting local services.
He said the funds generated would be used "to finance city services and support the maintenance and protection" of Venice.
Few destinations embody the challenges of overtourism quite like Venice, where narrow alleyways and historic squares regularly struggle to cope with the millions of people who arrive each year.
Now, as cities across Europe search for ways to protect their cultural heritage while maintaining their appeal to visitors, Venice appears determined to push the boundaries once again, even if that means charging tourists up to €50 for the privilege of spending a day in one of the world's most iconic destinations.
