If you travel to the maldives Soon, prepare for some additional costs. Starting December 1, foreign travelers will have to pay between $40 and $720 more in taxes and airport fees (depending on the class they fly in) to leave the South Asian archipelago by air. He Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) announced the increases in early November.
Related: Where are the Maldives? Is it worth the long trip?
Departure tax increase
Maldives initially introduced an exit tax in 2022 after the country passed a amendment to its Law on Airport Taxes and Taxes. This amendment replaced a $25 airport service charge for airline customers departing from the Maldives.
All persons (including locals) departing from any of the country’s airports must pay the departure tax. While local residents flying in economy class will continue to pay the same $12 tax introduced in 2022, foreigners and anyone traveling in premium classes will soon have to pay between $20 and $360 more. People booked in economy seats will continue to pay less than those in business and first class, as well as those booked on private charter flights.
According lookHere’s what each person can expect to pay in exit taxes from December 1 onwards:
| Travel class | maldivians | Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $12 | $50 (was $30) |
| Business | $120 (was $60) | $120 (was $60) |
| First | $240 (was $90) | $240 (was $90) |
| private charters | $480 (was $120) | $480 (was $120) |
The departure tax does not apply to diplomats, passengers transiting through the Maldives but not leaving the airport, and children under 2 years of age.
An additional airport development fee
That’s not all. Both foreign and local passengers flying internationally from Velana International Airport (MLE), the main airport in the Maldives, will also be subject to a separate airport development fee with the same rates detailed in the table above. (This is different from the airport service charge mentioned.)
According to MiraUnlike the departure tax, only diplomats and passengers on direct transit flights (those that transit through an airport in the Maldives and depart with the same flight number) are exempt from the airport development fee. This means that transit passengers other than those on direct transit flights and children under 2 years of age will also be subject to these fees.
In total, foreign passengers departing from MLE are expected to pay these cumulative departure taxes and airport development fees starting December 1:
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- Economy: $100 (was $60)
- Business: $240 (was $120)
- First: $480 (was $180)
- Private charters: $960 (was $240)
Book before December 1 to save
These taxes and fees, which apply to both cash reservations and award reservations, are included in the cost of airline tickets and will apply to all reservations made on or after December 1.
Both Etihad Airlines and Beyond — the starting carrier with all reclining seats to the Maldives – posted notes on their websites encouraging passengers and agents to book tickets by November 30 to avoid paying increased taxes and fees.
So if you are planning to go to the Maldives next year, book your flights now. You might even find some. Black Friday flight deals.
Other tourism tax increases will arrive in 2025
Unfortunately, it’s not just leaving the Maldives that is becoming more expensive. Staying there is also about to get more expensive, and booking in advance won’t help. January 1, 2025, Maldives Green Tax Rates will increase to $12 per person, per night at most hotels and resorts. (Those staying in hotels and guesthouses with fewer than 50 rooms will only be charged $6 per person, per night.) These per night hotel tax rates are doubling from $6 and $3, respectively. Maldivians, residence permit holders and children under 2 years of age are exempt from the Green Tax.
Then, on July 1, 2025, the Goods and services tax The rate will increase from 16% to 17% and will affect goods sold and services supplied by spas, shops, diving schools, water sports facilities and other similar facilities in the Maldives.
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