Europe’s New Travel Rules Are Changing In 2025 With Stricter Border Checks, Increased Taxes, And Behavioural Crackdowns: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Published on December 5, 2025

In 2025, Europe is implementing significant changes to its travel landscape, including stricter border controls, rising tourist taxes, and new regulations aimed at managing mass tourism. These updates are designed to improve security, reduce overcrowding in popular destinations, and ensure more sustainable travel experiences across the continent. With these new rules, travelers should prepare for a more structured and costlier journey through Europe.

In 2025, Europe has undergone a major overhaul of its travel rules, ushering in new regulations ranging from stricter border controls to rising tourist taxes and efforts to curb bad behaviour. With changes impacting everything from entry procedures to local tourism management, travelers now face a range of new challenges when planning their trips across the continent. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key travel rule changes shaping the European experience in 2025.

Tighter Border Controls Across Europe in 2025

Europe’s entry and exit protocols have evolved with the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), launched on October 12, 2025. This phased system, which will be fully operational by April 2026, replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric data collection. Non-EU travelers arriving at Schengen Area borders will now be required to submit electronic biometric data—such as fingerprints, passport details, and a facial image—before being allowed entry. This system, which applies to all Schengen countries except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as to Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, is designed to improve security by helping identify visa overstayers and combat illegal migration.

However, the rollout of the system has not been without issues. There have been several delays, with the UK Port of Dover’s launch for car passengers postponed until 2026 to avoid disrupting the holiday season. Despite these challenges, travelers can expect some delays at borders in the coming months, as countries work through technical hurdles. Once fully operational, the EES promises to streamline entry processes, offering a more efficient and secure border experience for international travelers.

In addition to the EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), initially slated for launch in 2025, has been delayed until late 2026. ETIAS will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to complete an online authorization for entry into the Schengen Area, at a cost of €20. This electronic entry permit will be valid for three years and will allow stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Meanwhile, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), introduced as a soft launch in 2023, will come into full force in February 2026. Tourists from 85 countries who currently do not need a visa for short stays will now be required to obtain this digital travel permit before visiting the UK.

Rising Costs and New Taxes for Travelers

Alongside these regulatory changes, European travelers are also grappling with rising costs in 2025. Tourist taxes, increases in accommodation prices, and stricter regulations on short-term rentals have made traveling across Europe more expensive. Cities like Paris, Barcelona, and others have introduced tighter regulations on Airbnb and similar rental platforms, primarily to prevent inflated rents in popular tourist areas, ensuring that local residents are not priced out of their communities.

Additionally, several European countries have introduced or increased nightly tourist taxes. Iceland, Spain, Norway, and the UK are among the countries where travelers are now required to pay an additional tax per night stayed in hotels or short-term rentals. Venice, Italy, continues to impose its controversial day-tripper fee as part of efforts to curb the overwhelming number of tourists visiting the city in a single day.

These measures are part of a broader trend toward promoting “quality tourism” in Europe. Authorities across the continent are increasingly focusing on attracting higher-spending tourists who contribute to the local economy without overwhelming infrastructure or negatively impacting local communities. This has led to a shift away from mass tourism, with an emphasis on sustainable travel that encourages visitors to stay longer and spend more, rather than simply flocking to popular hotspots for a brief visit.

Snow sports enthusiasts, in particular, have felt the impact of these rising costs. Ski pass prices in resorts across Switzerland, Austria, and Italy have soared, with some destinations reporting increases of up to 40% compared to 2021 due to rising energy costs and maintenance fees. These price hikes, along with other economic pressures, are reshaping the landscape of European tourism, with some travelers seeking alternative destinations or adjusting their budgets accordingly.

Crackdown on Bad Behaviour and New Regulations for Tourists

Another area where European destinations are taking action is in curbing undesirable tourist behaviour. Several cities, including San Sebastián in Spain, have implemented smoking bans on their beaches. In Portugal, Albufeira has introduced fines for tourists wearing inappropriate clothing in public, aiming to maintain a certain standard of behaviour in popular tourist areas.

Perhaps the most notable regulatory shift has been in Palma, Spain, where a ban on party boats has been introduced to reduce noise and overcrowding in the port. This is part of a broader effort to maintain a balance between tourism and local life, ensuring that residents are not unduly affected by the influx of visitors.

In France, the crackdown starts before tourists even land. New regulations now allow airlines to impose fines of up to €20,000 on passengers who cause disruptions or fail to follow flight rules. Those who repeatedly break these rules could face bans on future flights for up to four years, sending a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Changes to Passenger Rights and Airline Practices

The European Union has also been considering updates to passenger rights, especially as the industry grapples with increasing flight delays and cancellations. While there have been discussions about improving compensation for delayed flights and standardizing allowances for cabin bags, progress has been slow. A new law to update passenger rights has been under discussion for over a decade but has been delayed due to opposition from airlines, who argue that it would lead to higher ticket prices.

In the meantime, some budget airlines have made moves that are raising concerns about passenger rights. For example, Ryanair has decided to stop accepting paper boarding passes, which has led to criticism in countries like Portugal, where aviation authorities have warned that this could violate passenger rights regulations.

A New Era of Travel in Europe

Overall, 2025 marks a year of significant change for European travel. From stricter border controls and the introduction of new permits and authorizations to rising travel costs and a focus on sustainable tourism, these changes reflect a broader shift in how Europe is managing tourism. While some of these adjustments may cause short-term inconvenience, the long-term goal is to create a more secure, sustainable, and enjoyable travel experience for visitors and locals alike.

As travelers plan their trips across Europe in 2025, they should be prepared for these new rules, both in terms of documentation and financial costs, and adjust their expectations accordingly. With these changes, the future of travel in Europe looks set to become more streamlined, secure, and better balanced between visitors’ needs and the wellbeing of local communities.