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Band D: £2,278 · Single person: £1,872 · Ranked 23 of 32
Band D (total)
£2,278
Council element
£1,626
Water & sewerage
£652
Year-on-year change
+4%
Select your council tax band — your choice is saved for next time.
Water and sewerage charges are the same for all households in your area regardless of band.
| Band | Property value (1991) | Ratio to D | Annual (inc. water) | Monthly | Single person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £27,000 | 66.7% | £1,519 | £127 | £1,302 |
| Band B | £27,001–£35,000 | 77.8% | £1,772 | £148 | £1,492 |
| Band C | £35,001–£45,000 | 88.9% | £2,025 | £169 | £1,682 |
| Band D | £45,001–£58,000 | 100.0% | £2,278 | £190 | £1,872 |
| Band E | £58,001–£80,000 | 131.4% | £2,993 | £249 | £2,408 |
| Band F | £80,001–£106,000 | 162.5% | £3,702 | £309 | £2,940 |
| Band G | £106,001–£212,000 | 195.8% | £4,461 | £372 | £3,509 |
| Band H | Over £212,000 | 245.0% | £5,581 | £465 | £4,349 |
“Single person” column shows the 25% discount applied to the council element only — Scottish Water charges are unchanged. Students, carers, and severely mentally impaired people are disregarded when counting adults.
Scotland-specific: Council tax bills here include water and sewerage charges (£652/year at Band D) collected on behalf of Scottish Water. England bills these separately, which is why Scottish bills look higher but cover more services.
Amounts shown are for Band D. Your actual instalments depend on your band and any discounts or exemptions applied to your account.
Band D rate 2025/26, cheapest to most expensive. Your council is highlighted.
Source: Scottish Government, council tax collection statistics 2025/26.
City of Edinburgh ranks 23 of 32 Scottish councils by Band D rate. The Scottish average is £2,310; City of Edinburgh is £32 below that.
Edinburgh applied the lowest council tax increase of any Scottish city in 2026/27 at just 4%, a deliberate decision to limit the cost-of-living burden on residents despite a structural funding shortfall the council has publicly acknowledged. As a result, Edinburgh's Band D now sits close to the Scottish average — a significant shift from its prior position near the top of the national table. UNESCO World Heritage Site designation brings tourism revenue but also significant maintenance obligations for the historic Old and New Towns. The city's growing population — unlike most Scottish councils — means the tax base is expanding, but the council has warned of potentially larger rises in future years if Scottish Government settlement levels don't improve.
The City of Edinburgh Council approved its 2026/27 budget in February 2026, agreeing a 4% rise — the lowest of any Scottish city. Following protracted negotiations across party groups, the council agreed to limit the rise to manage cost-of-living pressures despite a structural funding shortfall the administration has publicly acknowledged. The council cited UNESCO World Heritage Site maintenance, rising staff costs in a tight city labour market, and growing demand for adult social care as cost drivers, but chose a smaller rise than most Scottish councils. The council has been explicit that larger rises may be needed in future years without an improved Scottish Government settlement. [REVIEW: verify motion details.]
Median earnings in Edinburgh are approximately £33,000 — the second-highest of any Scottish council. The Band D bill of £2,278 represents around 6.9% of gross median pay, below the Scottish average. Edinburgh's housing stock is unusually weighted toward upper bands: it has the highest proportion of Band G and H properties of any Scottish council, so the average bill actually paid is materially higher than Band D. The city's growing population — unlike most Scottish councils — means an expanding tax base.
Edinburgh is the only Scottish council where tourism directly affects the council tax calculation — short-term lets are regulated through a separate licensing framework and the upcoming visitor levy will add supplementary revenue from 2026. The city's concentration of listed and protected buildings means above-average maintenance obligations far beyond standard capital budgets. Edinburgh has the most complex band distribution of any Scottish council, with significantly higher Band G and H concentrations than the national average — reflecting its Georgian New Town and Victorian villa stock.
See what you take home after council tax and income tax
Take-Home Pay Calculator →25% single person discount
If you live alone, your Band D bill drops from £2,278 to £1,872/year — saving £407. Apply directly to City of Edinburgh council.
Student exemption
Properties occupied entirely by full-time students are fully exempt. Mixed households (students + non-students) get a 25% discount per disregarded adult instead.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
Income-based reduction for low-income households. Up to 100% off — separate from the single person discount, and you can receive both at once.
Disabled person's band reduction
If your property has been adapted for a disabled person's needs (e.g. a wheelchair-accessible room or additional bathroom), it can be valued as one band lower.
Severely mentally impaired (SMI) disregard
A person who has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning as a result of a condition such as dementia, stroke, or Parkinson's is disregarded when counting adults.
The premium is levied on properties that are not used as a main residence. Some exemptions apply (e.g. properties marketed for sale, job-related dwellings). Contact City of Edinburgh Council to confirm your liability.
If you miss an instalment, the council sends a reminder. You have 7 days to pay the overdue amount and bring your account up to date. Most councils issue up to two reminders in any financial year.
If reminders are ignored, the council applies to the Sheriff Court for a Liability Order — a court order confirming the debt. This can be granted without you attending. Court costs (typically £70–£100) are added to your debt.
Once a Liability Order exists, the council can instruct your employer to deduct money from your wages before you receive them. In Scotland this is called an Earnings Arrestment and is governed by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987. Protected minimums apply.
The council can freeze and seize money in your bank accounts. A protected minimum of £529.90 (2025/26 figure) is exempt, but amounts above this can be taken.
As a last resort, the council can seek an Exceptional Attachment Order to seize and sell property. Imprisonment for wilful non-payment remains technically possible in Scotland (unlike England) but is extremely rare and requires proof of deliberate refusal rather than inability to pay.
Struggling to pay? Contact the council before you fall behind.
All Scottish councils have hardship funds, can set up affordable payment plans, and can check your eligibility for discounts and exemptions. Acting early prevents court involvement.
Free debt advice: Citizens Advice Scotland — 0800 028 1456 (free, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | StepChange Scotland — 0800 138 1111 (free, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–2pm)
2026/27 is the confirmed rate. Earlier years are estimates derived from Scotland-wide average increases. 2026/27 is the confirmed rate. Prior years are estimates based on Scotland-wide average increases. Note: 2023/24 was a partial freeze year — most councils raised rates by 0% in exchange for a Scottish Government compensation grant, though some opted out and raised by up to 5%.
| Year | Band D (inc. water) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £1,813 | — |
| 2023/24 | £1,904 | +5% |
| 2024/25 | £2,028 | +6.5% |
| 2025/26 | £2,190 | +8% |
| 2026/27 ★ | £2,278 | +4% |
Council tax in City of Edinburgh for 2026/27 is £2,278 per year at Band D, including water and sewerage charges. The cheapest band (Band A) is £1,519/year, and the most expensive (Band H) is £5,581/year. A single person living alone pays £1,872/year at Band D — a saving of £407.
No. City of Edinburgh's Band D rate of £2,278 is £32 below the Scottish average of approximately £2,310, making it one of the more affordable council areas in Scotland.
The main discounts in City of Edinburgh are: 25% single person discount (reduces Band D to £1,872/year), full student exemption for all-student households, and Council Tax Reduction (up to 100% for low-income households). Second homes in City of Edinburgh pay a 100% premium on the council element — a Band D second home costs £3,904/year instead of £2,278.
Yes. Unlike England and Wales, Scottish council tax bills include water and sewerage charges collected on behalf of Scottish Water. In City of Edinburgh, the water component is £652/year at Band D, with the remaining £1,626 going to the council for local services.
Band challenges in City of Edinburgh — and across all of Scotland — are handled by the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA), not the council itself. You can check your property's valuation and submit a challenge at saa.gov.uk. Common grounds include: your property value was incorrectly assessed in 1991, the property has been altered to reduce its value, or a comparable property in the same street is in a lower band.
Could you be paying less council tax?
Check discounts, reductions, and whether your property is in the right band.
Council Tax Calculator →Apply for single person discount (25% off)
Saves £407/year — your Band D bill drops to £1,872.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction
Income-based reduction of up to 100%. Apply through the council — not the DWP.
Pay your council tax online
Pay City of Edinburgh council tax by card, direct debit, or other methods.
Challenge your council tax band
The Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) handles all band challenges across Scotland.
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Rates shown are for 2026/27 and include Scottish Water charges. Verify your exact bill with City of Edinburgh council directly. Property valuations are based on 1991 values. Single person discount applies to the council element only — water charges are not reduced. Last data verification: 2026-05-20. Source: City of Edinburgh council, Scottish Government.