In 2025, European countries are tightening regulations on tourism by introducing new taxes and setting limits on the number of visitors per day. For example, access to the Acropolis in Athens is now restricted to no more than 20,000 tourists per day. Even cruise ships are affected — Venice and Dubrovnik have banned them from entering their ports.

These measures stem from the fact that, in recent years, the infrastructure of major European cities has struggled to handle the overwhelming influx of tourists. Historic districts in Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam suffer from overcrowded streets and squares, long museum lines, and a decline in overall visitor experience.

Venice has gone even further by implementing a reservation system for tourist visits and increasing entry fees. The city simply cannot physically accommodate so many visitors. In 2024, a record-breaking 80,000 tourists were recorded in Venice at one time — nearly a third of the city’s total population.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the reasons behind these restrictions, what they entail, and how they will impact travelers.

Contents:

  1. Reasons for Implementing Tourist Restrictions
  2. New Tourist Taxes in 2025
  3. Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals
  4. Cruise Ship Docking Bans
  5. What Restrictions Exist for Tourists?
  6. How Will the New Rules Affect Tourists?

Reasons for Implementing Tourist Restrictions

The main reasons for these measures can be broadly categorized into two groups: infrastructure-related and economic. From a first perspective, the historic districts of European cities are physically unable to cope with the surge in tourist numbers, making life more difficult for local residents. Additionally, the visual appeal of many destinations is suffering, as tourists leave behind large amounts of waste — not only in cities but also in the sea and surrounding natural areas.

On the economic side, one of the biggest concerns is the rising cost of local real estate. For example, in 2024, rental prices in Amsterdam surged by 37.8%, triggering frustration among residents.

Countries are also taking steps to address the issue of “day-trippers” — tourists who use public infrastructure (such as transportation, restrooms, and street cleaning services) but contribute little to the local economy. To offset these costs, Venice is increasing its entrance fee for such visitors to €10, aiming to at least cover the expenses of city maintenance.

New Tourist Taxes in 2025

Venice is not the only city introducing or increasing tourist taxes. One of the most notable changes comes from Amsterdam, where local authorities have raised the tourist tax rate from 7% to 12.5% of accommodation costs. Additionally, visitors arriving by water now face an extra fee of €14.50.

Here are some other key changes across different countries:

  • Greece. The country has increased its tourist tax to €2 per day in the off-season and €8 per day during peak season.
  • Portugal. While Portugal already has a €2 per night per person tax in certain regions, this fee has now been extended to the Azores Islands.
  • Thailand. Starting mid-2025, Thailand will introduce a one-time tourist fee: 300 baht (€8) for land arrivals and 150 baht (€4) for sea arrivals.
  • France. The government has raised the overnight tax to €1.95 per night for three-star hotels and up to €15.60 per night for luxury hotels and apartments.
  • Spain. In Mogán (Canary Islands), a new 15% surcharge on hotel and rental accommodation costs has been introduced.
  • Italy. Venice has implemented an entry fee of €5 per person, which increases to €10 if booked less than four days in advance.

Catania, Sicily at dusk

Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

Tourist destinations are increasingly cracking down on the negative impact of high demand for short-term rentals. Locals struggle with rising rent prices, and in response, European countries have introduced strict regulations:

  • Spain has introduced a national registry for tourist and seasonal rentals. Property owners must register their listings before advertising on online platforms. These platforms, in turn, are required to verify registration and remove non-compliant listings within 48 hours.
  • Greece has completely banned the registration of new short-term rental properties in central city areas. To deter violations, the government has set a €20,000 fine for non-compliance. At the same time, landlords are being offered tax incentives if they switch their properties to long-term rentals.
  • Portugal is taking the strictest approach — Lisbon is set to hold a referendum on a complete ban on short-term rentals in the city. If approved, landlords will have six months to transition their properties to long-term rentals, and the registration of new short-term rental properties will be permanently prohibited.

While specific penalties for non-compliance in Portugal have not yet been announced, the experience of neighboring countries suggests severe fines will likely follow. For instance, in Berlin, illegal short-term rentals can result in fines of up to €100,000, while in Prague, violations can lead to penalties of 100,000 Czech korunas ($4130 USD).

Cruise Ship Docking Bans

Banning cruise ships from certain ports is not a new phenomenon. Venice first introduced restrictions back in 2021, although the ban initially applied only to the historic city center. The decision was driven not only by the overwhelming number of tourists but also by safety concerns—particularly after a 2019 incident, when a cruise liner collided with a tourist boat. Additionally, large ships are believed to generate powerful underwater currents, which contribute to the erosion of Venice’s fragile foundations.

Similar measures were implemented in Croatia as early as 2019, when Dubrovnik authorities capped the number of cruise ships allowed in port at two per day, with a combined passenger capacity limit of 8000 tourists.

Mallorca followed suit by restricting the number of cruise ships to a maximum of three per day, with only one vessel allowed to carry more than 5000 passengers.

Barcelona, instead of banning ships outright, has introduced a passenger tax. Сruise passengers must now pay €6.25 if their ship remains docked in the city for more than 12 hours.

New restrictions are also set to take effect in Nice on July 1, 2025. The upcoming regulations will prohibit docking for ships exceeding 190 meters in length or carrying more than 900 passengers.

What Restrictions Exist for Tourists?

Italy has introduced the most tourist restrictions in recent years. In Portofino, visitors can be fined up to €275 for causing congestion at popular photo spots. The region of Trentino-Alto Adige now requires mandatory pre-registration for visiting certain attractions. On the island of Sardinia, the famous Spiaggia Rosa beach has been officially closed since 1998, but tourists have continued to sneak in. In response, since 2023, authorities have significantly increased enforcement, with fines ranging from €500 to €3500 for trespassers.

Following Greece’s example of limiting daily visitors to the Acropolis, Italy has introduced similar measures for its own landmarks. In Pompeii, access is now restricted to 20,000 tourists per day, while the Colosseum allows no more than 3000 visitors at a time. Italian authorities have also imposed additional penalties, including fines for attaching love locks to bridges and for walking shirtless in public.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, has opted for a more creative approach. Amsterdam now introduces tourists to local regulations through an online quiz, which explains the city’s rules before testing visitors’ knowledge. Although the quiz is voluntary, completing it is recommended, as new restrictions have been introduced. These include a ban on alcohol and drug consumption in public places and new limitations on access to the Red-Light District.

How Will the New Rules Affect Tourists?

With the introduction of new taxes and the increase of existing ones, one thing is certain — traveling will become more expensive. Tourists should expect a higher financial burden, not only in the form of entrance fees but also through increased accommodation costs. The crackdown on short-term rentals will shrink the supply of available lodging while demand remains high, inevitably driving up the average price per night.

Daily visitor limits at major attractions mean that careful trip planning will be more important than ever. Avoiding peak tourist seasons will become crucial to securing access to popular sites. The same applies to transportation — given the growing restrictions on cruise ships, travelers may need to consider alternative transport options to avoid potential delays or even last-minute cancellations.

Advance reservations will now be essential. Whether it’s booking tickets for historical sites or securing a hotel room, last-minute plans could leave tourists without entry to key landmarks or even without a place to stay.