Edinburgh council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Edinburgh is £1,626.05 for 2026/27. The 4% rise is the smallest of any Scottish council this year.
- Up 4% on 2025/26
- 10th lowest of 32 councils with 2026/27 figures
- With water and waste water: £2,278.37
Edinburgh council tax charges by band
Council tax plus Scottish Water's water and waste water charges, before any discount.
| Band | Council tax | Water and waste water | Total a year | 10 payments | 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Aup to £27,000 in 1991 | £1,084.03 | £434.88 | £1,518.91 | £151.89 | £126.58 |
| Band B£27,001 to £35,000 in 1991 | £1,264.71 | £507.36 | £1,772.07 | £177.21 | £147.67 |
| Band C£35,001 to £45,000 in 1991 | £1,445.38 | £579.84 | £2,025.22 | £202.52 | £168.77 |
| Band D£45,001 to £58,000 in 1991 | £1,626.05 | £652.32 | £2,278.37 | £227.84 | £189.86 |
| Band E£58,001 to £80,000 in 1991 | £2,136.45 | £797.28 | £2,933.73 | £293.37 | £244.48 |
| Band F£80,001 to £106,000 in 1991 | £2,642.33 | £942.24 | £3,584.57 | £358.46 | £298.71 |
| Band G£106,001 to £212,000 in 1991 | £3,184.35 | £1,087.20 | £4,271.55 | £427.16 | £355.96 |
| Band Hover £212,000 in 1991 | £3,983.82 | £1,304.64 | £5,288.46 | £528.85 | £440.71 |
Band D in Edinburgh compared with the lowest, the average and the highest council
Council tax £1,626.05 plus water and waste water £652.32 a year.
Edinburgh council tax bands 2026/27
The City of Edinburgh Council raised council tax by 4% for 2026/27. Band D rose £62.54 to £1,626.05.
Every other council in Scotland put its rate up by more. Edinburgh's Band D is now about £27 below the Scottish average of £1,653.
How Edinburgh compares with the Lothians
Edinburgh and West Lothian are almost level. West Lothian's Band D is £1,627.59, just £1.54 more than the capital.
Midlothian costs £190.11 more at Band D, the widest gap with any neighbour. East Lothian is £71.57 more. Across the Forth, Fife is £52.36 cheaper.
Edinburgh is tenth lowest of the 32 councils.
Second homes: 100% now, 300% from January 2027
Second homes in Edinburgh pay a 100% premium in 2026/27, as they did last year. That means double the normal council tax.
A rise to 300% had been planned from 1 April 2026, but it was suspended. The council later decided on 300% from 1 January 2027.
Example: Band F with water
A Band F home pays £2,642.33 in council tax. With £942.24 for water and waste water, the yearly total is £3,584.57.
Paid over 12 months, that is £298.71 a month. Over the usual 10 instalments it is £358.46.
Pay council tax in Edinburgh
Payments go through the council's pay a bill page, or by Direct Debit. Tell the council when you move in, move out or when the number of adults changes.
Full-time students are not counted for council tax, and a home with only students in it is exempt. Lower-income households can claim Council Tax Reduction.
Quick answers
- How much is Band D council tax in Edinburgh for 2026/27?
£1,626.05. It went up 4% from £1,563.51 in 2025/26.
- Is Edinburgh council tax going up for second homes?
Yes. The premium is 100% in 2026/27, and the council has decided on 300% from 1 January 2027.
- Which is cheaper for council tax, Edinburgh or West Lothian?
Edinburgh, by a small margin. Its Band D is £1.54 less than West Lothian's £1,627.59.
- Do students pay council tax in Edinburgh?
A home lived in only by full-time students is exempt. A student sharing with others is not counted when the discount is worked out.
- How much is Edinburgh council tax with water charges?
At Band D the 2026/27 total is £2,278.37. That is £1,626.05 in council tax and £652.32 for water and waste water.