Traveling through Europe is becoming more complicated for tourists. Some cities now charge a daily tourism fee that you have to pay as soon as you arrive.
Residents of certain tourist spots have made it clear that you are not welcome by imposing limits on the number of visitors at major attractions. Other destinations say you are welcome – as long as you follow the rules.
So, what do you need to know to visit the old continent in 2025?
Is Spain really blocking tourists?
Spain’s fight against overtourism is well-known. In the face of protests and new regulations, it’s easy to think that tourists are no longer welcome in the country.
There are policies in place to curb overtourism in the most popular destinations, such as Mallorca, Tenerife, and Barcelona, but the measures aim more to manage tourism than to stop it.
Seasonal rentals, including those styled like Airbnb, can still be booked.
However, several cities are introducing restrictions on rental properties entering the market, including Málaga, where short-term rentals are banned in 43 neighborhoods. Barcelona plans to gradually eliminate tourist apartment rentals by 2028, and restrictions are in place in Alicante and Madrid.
The main difference you will notice if you are going to Spain this year will be the need to provide extra details when staying in accommodation or renting a car. Expect questions such as your nationality, address, phone number, and email address as part of the new tourism rules.
Where will the number of tourists be restricted?
Cruise passengers are being restricted everywhere. From Ibiza to Barcelona, several European cities want to contain the flow of thousands of cruise passengers.
For tourists, these new rules will not affect your trip, as your cruise company will surely have planned your itinerary considering the restrictions.
Some of the main tourist attractions are limiting the number of visitors to combat overtourism. For example, the iconic Acropolis in Athens has a limit of 20,000 visitors per day, and time slots need to be reserved in advance to visit.
Pompeii is also introducing a limit of 20,000 visitors in 2025. In Rome, the Colosseum has a limit of 3,000 visitors. In Seville, there are plans to close the Plaza de España and charge tourists €3 to €4 to visit it, although this has not yet been enforced.
Where will you have to pay a tourism fee this year?
Greece
Visitors to Greece will pay a tax of €8 per day. In addition to the tourism tax, Greece also applies a Climate Resilience Tax, collected at check-in and applicable to all hotels, villas, Airbnbs, and other accommodations. The cost ranges from €1.50 for the most basic accommodations to €10 per night for luxury hotels.
Portugal
The situation regarding the tourism tax in Portugal is less straightforward, as the 306 different municipalities make their own rules regarding taxation. Currently, at least 26 municipalities are charging a tax, mainly in typical resort locations such as the Algarve and also Lisbon.
Spain
Just like Portugal, the regions of Spain set their own rules, and the taxes you pay will depend on where you go.
In Barcelona, there are two taxes to pay – a municipal tax and a regional tourism tax. The municipal tax has increased to €4 per person per night for 2025, while the tourism tax has not increased. Cruise passengers staying in Barcelona for more than 12 hours need to pay €6.25.
Italy
Italian municipalities set their own tourism tax rates, so again, the fees to pay will depend on where you stay and visit.
In Rome, for example, it ranges from €3 to €7, depending on the standard of accommodation. In Milan, it is between €2 and €5, and in Florence, from just €1 to €5.
France
In Paris, there are new tourism taxes applicable in 2025. Both a regional tax and a tourism tax need to be paid, which vary based on the type of accommodation. In total, the combined taxes range from just €1.95 for campsites to €15.60 per person per night for the most luxurious accommodation.
Netherlands
Amsterdam has increased its tax for visitors from 7% to 12.5% of the accommodation cost.
Source: Euro News