Planning a holiday typically brings joy as one looks forward to the upcoming journey, exploring delectable dining options and hidden gems with breathtaking vistas.
Nevertheless, if your plan involves visiting European locations this year, collecting pre-travel details can also be quite cumbersome.
As visitor counts are expected to reach unprecedented heights in 2025, numerous popular spots across Europe are introducing stringent regulations and enforcing stricter measures against undesirable tourist conduct.
To spare you from scouring various websites and travel guides for the most up-to-date rules and penalties, we have put together an extensive overview of all the key points you should be aware of during your visit to Europe this year.
Europe’s battle against overtourism
After five years since the halt in tourism due to COVID-19 restrictions, tourist arrivals in several well-known locations have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels or even surpassed them as of 2019.
This increase in tourist numbers is causing numerous negative consequences, including pushing up prices for locals in ancient city centers, overwhelming public services, and harming natural environments.
The increasing opposition to this trend has resulted in anti-tourism demonstrations throughout the region, notably in popular destinations in Spain such as the Canary Islands and Barcelona.
Several locations are currently implementing strategies to enhance tourism control and reduce overcrowding by prohibiting cruise ships and short-term vacation rentals, introducing reservation and ticketing requirements for top sights, along with regulations and penalties aimed at promoting respectful conduct.
Below you'll find all the taxes, limitations, and prohibitions arranged by country that travelers should be aware of in 2025.
Spain prohibits Airbnb listings, vehicle use, and gatherings.
Across Spain, various destinations are facing significant strain due to mass tourism; therefore, it comes as no shock that the regulations have been notably extensive.
Catalonia and Barcelona
The area of Catalonia appears likely to increase its tourist tax to €15 per night as part of newly enacted legislation signed in February. This rate would be twice the current charge.
The most visited place in the area, Barcelona, has raised its city tourism levy to €6.75 each night for visitors lodging at five-star accommodations.
In addition to the regular nightly tourist tax (currently set at €3.50), guests have to pay an extra fee. Therefore, for a one-week stay in a five-star hotel, this additional charge amounts to €47.25 over and above the price of the room itself.
In 2023, Barcelona reduced the daily number of cruise ships docking at its main port from 10 to seven, and they have also declared their intention to phase them out completely. short-term rentals by 2030.
The city has suggested establishing a special area next to the Sagrada Familia Where visitors can pause for a moment—and snap a selfie—to alleviate crowding and avoid promoting social media fads before they enter the church.
The 116 bus route has recently been updated. removed from maps In an effort to decrease the number of tourists utilizing it to access the Parc Güell designed by Antoni Gaudí.
Malaga
In the coastal Andalusian city of Málaga, authorities have prohibited the establishment of new rental accommodations across 43 neighborhoods where such rentals surpass eight percent of the total housing units available for residents.
The proposal was put forward in January 2025 and is set to undergo a trial period of three years.
It has become prohibited to stroll through the downtown area of Málaga. swimming costumes Those spotted without a top or wearing only underwear in public can be fined up to €750.
Alicante
Due to noise complaints from residents, Alicante has introduced new closing times for bars and nightclubs.
The regulations mandate that bars shut their doors at 12:30 AM from Monday through Thursday and at 1 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eves of public holidays. Meanwhile, nightclubs are required to cease operations by 1 AM throughout the week but can stay open until 3 AM on weekends.
Seville
The southern Spanish city of Seville intends to implement an entry charge. Plaza de España to finance its conservation.
People residing in the province as well as those born there Andalusian city will be exempt.
The Balearic Islands include Ibiza and Majorca.
Tired of noisy, intoxicated visitors, the regional authorities of Spain’s Balearic Islands have implemented stringent new regulations. alcohol bans .
Alcohol sales overnight from 9:30 pm to 8 am have been prohibited in Llucmajor, Palma, and Calvià (Magaluf). Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza .
This rule only affects stores, allowing alcohol to continue being sold in bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Consuming beverages outdoors in popular tourist areas Ibiza and Mallorca Except for terraces and other authorized zones, this prohibition also applies. Violators can face fines ranging from €500 to €1,500, which may increase up to €3,000 if their behavior is notably disturbing.
The legislation will stay effective until 2027.
Ibiza has started restricting the quantity of visitor vehicles as well as caravans that can be visited.
Between June 1st and September 30th, the limit for non-resident vehicle usage will be set at 20,168 units.
Out of these vehicles, only 16,000 will be designated as rental cars. The remaining 4,108 will be allocated for tourists planning to arrive in Ibiza via the ports of Barcelona, Denia, Valencia, or Palma with their own vehicles.
If you want to go to Ibiza with your vehicle, you'll have to obtain a permit that costs €1 daily.
Italy introduces daily visitor charges and restrictions on selfies
Italy is contemplating increasing the tourist tax to as much as €25 per night for visitors lodging at premium hotels. This new rate would be an increase from the present cap of €5 each night, with the additional funds aimed at supporting initiatives such as refuse management in less privileged regions.
Venice
Venice has reintroduced day-tripper entry fees ranging from €5 for early reservations to €10 for walk-up guests, with penalties up to €300 for those unable to show proof of payment.
A fee is imposed on specific days up until the end of July.
The city has also imposed a ban on loudspeakers, restricted tour groups to a maximum of 25 individuals, and forbidden swimming in its canals, with violations potentially leading to fines up to €1,000.
Portofino
Portofino, a quaint coastal village along the Italian Riviera, has taken measures against an excessive number of tourists taking selfies by obstructing pathways and streets.
The town has introduced no-waiting zones Anyone lingering near the dock from 10:30 am to 6 pm could face a penalty of €270.
Pompeii
Pompeii’s archaeological site now limits visitors to 20,000 per day. It is advisable for tourists to buy their tickets online beforehand to bypass lengthy lines.
Rome
The maximum number of visitors allowed inside Rome's iconic Colosseum at one time has been limited to 3,000.
In Rome, there are prohibitions against going without a shirt outdoors, consuming messy foods around tourist sites, and affixing love padlocks to bridges.
Sardinia
The stunning beaches of Sardinia are experiencing significant pressure, with many now implementing visitor caps or requiring reservations.
The crescent-shaped Tuerredda beach mandates that visitors make reservations through an app beforehand and has limited daily attendance to 1,100 people since 2020.
To view the complete list of beaches, please refer to here .
Florence
As inhabitants face difficulties finding homes in the historical center, Florence has implemented a prohibition on the utilization of Airbnb and short-term rentals.
The mayor has additionally committed to banning key boxes from structures and prohibiting tour guides from using loudspeakers.
Trentino Alto Adige
In the northern part of Trentino Alto Adige, the number of overnight visitors is limited to what it was in 2019, and no additional guesthouses are allowed to open.
Visitors must now preregister for certain key sites, such as the Alpe di Suisi.
France enforces dress codes
Paris
The French authorities have enforced stringent rules governing behavior in public spaces within Paris, the city's main urban center, prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages in numerous locations. Those who violate this ban may face penalties amounting to as much as €135.
French Riviera
The so-called "fashion police" actively enforce dress codes along the Côte d'Azur, ensuring tourists maintain appropriate attire outside of beach areas.
In Cannes and other cities, sporting swimwear in public areas may lead to penalties of up to €38.
Marseille
Marseille has prohibited the use of key safes for vacation rentals and granted city hall officials permission to dismantle unauthorized locking devices with angle grinders if landlords fail to adhere to compliance after being warned.
Greece takes steps to safeguard its historic sites and islands.
Athens
The city of Athens has implemented a visitor limit at its most frequented ancient site to ensure protection.
The Acropolis Now allows only 20,000 visitors per day, requiring timed entrance tickets.
Stiletto heels are not allowed at the site to avoid damaging the historic areas; breaking this rule can lead to penalties of up to €900.
Santorini and Mykonos
The popular Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos have adopted extensive strategies to handle cruise tourism and safeguard their natural assets.
Currently, both places impose a €20 cruise passenger fee during the high season, with Santorini keeping a limit of 8,000 daily cruise visitors.
Coastal protection regulations mandate that at least 70 percent of public beaches should be kept free from commercial sunbeds.
Gathering seashells or stones from shores may lead to penalties of up to €1,000, whereas the authorities have enforced a construction prohibition in the delicate caldera area of Santorini.
Croatia curbs party tourism
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik has initiated an extensive 'Respect the City' campaign that involves limiting cruise ships to a maximum of two per day, closing down souvenir stands, reducing café seating areas, and curtailing taxi services.
The city imposes a visitor tax of €2.65 per person per night between April and September, and enforces stringent rules against wearing swimsuits within the urban area, operating vehicles without specific permission, consuming food or drinks close to cultural landmarks, and scaling ancient city walls.
All violations are punishable by on-the-spot fines up to €700 along with possible criminal charges.
Hvar
Hvar Island, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, is now implementing measures to address and reduce the disruptive conduct associated with its well-known status.
The town council members decided to keep the limitations in place throughout the summertime. limit noise to 85 decibels.
This scenario is akin to a bustling restaurant, which implies considerable adjustments for the island’s frequented outdoor clubs that operate during high season, along with eateries that accommodate outdoor wedding receptions.
Portugal boasts some of the continent’s most substantial penalties for improper behavior.
Portugal has imposed some of the strictest financial penalties in Europe, particularly in coastal regions like Albufeira warning of fines up to €1,500 for sporting swimsuits in urban zones and even steeper punishments for appearing nude in public.
Louder-than-normal sound systems are prohibited at numerous beach locations, with possible penalties as steep as €36,000. Meanwhile, officials closely monitor infractions such as street drinking, public urination, and spitting offenses.
Sintra
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra has emerged as a central stage for local demonstrations against overtourism, turning the region into something residents liken to an overcrowded theme park.
Authorities are currently contemplating restrictions on hotel construction to maintain the town’s historical ambiance and tackle residents' worries regarding traffic overcrowding and discourteous behavior from visitors.
Turkey strengthens commitment to aviation safety
The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has introduced a new regulation mandating that passengers stay seated during certain times. seatbelts fastened Until the plane arrives at its assigned gate and the seatbelt indicator light is turned off.
They have to wait until their row number is announced before they can leave the plane.
The authorities claim they have implemented this new rule to enhance security and minimize interruptions during the deplaning procedure of aircraft.
Travelers who break the regulations face a penalty of $70 (€62).
The Netherlands asks visitors to act suitably.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Has been frantically attempting to shed its reputation as a haven for night owls, though with little progress so far.
Following the unsuccessful 2023 initiative encouraging intoxicated British travelers to 'keep off' the city, local authorities have introduced a webpage where individuals intending to vacation there can complete a questionnaire regarding the nature of their trip.
Called Amsterdam Rules It aims to inspire party-goers visiting the city to rethink their scheduled plans.
The municipality has prohibited marijuana use on the streets of the Red Light District, enforced earlier closing times for bars, imposed tighter restrictions on tour groups, and enacted fresh rules controlling noise levels from boat parties as well as drinking activities.
The building of new hotels has stopped, and starting in July 2023, ocean cruise ships will be prohibited from mooring in the central part of the city.
The river cruise restrictions are expected to decrease the yearly tourist count by 271,000 visitors, aligning with the city’s objective of capping annual accommodations at 20 million tourists.
The Czech Republic aims to shed its reputation as a party central destination.
The Czech Republic has proposed restrictions on Airbnb and short-term rentals.
A bill endorsed by the Czech government in the previous year would permit local towns and urban areas to restrict the quantity of Airbnb-style accommodation available.
This might involve limiting the number of rental days a property can have each year and setting a minimum square footage requirement per occupant.
This would impose tighter rules and applicable local taxes on guesthouses as well. Airbnbs And other vacation rental properties, aligning their responsibilities with those of conventional hotels.
Prague
Prague is making efforts to change its image from a party hub by implementing numerous new limitations.
Guided bar hopping Is prohibited from 10 PM to 6 AM, depriving the city of one of its most boisterous draws as part of an effort to soothe fatigued residents and lure more upscale visitors.
In the previous year, a local council suggested prohibiting extravagant outfits worn by groups celebrating bachelor or bachelorette parties. The council argued these costumes promoted drunken and disruptive conduct. Prague ’s popular nightlife district.
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