Germany Joins France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and the UK in Facing New EU-China Travel and Aviation Challenges Amid Visa Policy Changes and Airspace Restrictions in 2025

Published on June 4, 2025

The head of the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA), Frank Oostdam, urged the European Union to relax entry requirements for Chinese nationals following China’s expansion of visa-free access to more than 30 European countries. Oostdam highlighted the need for reciprocal measures from Europe to fully unlock tourism potential between the two regions.

Speaking at a press conference in Macau, Oostdam emphasized the association’s ongoing efforts to engage the European Commission on lowering barriers for non-European visitors, especially those from China. The call comes in the wake of China including Portugal in its visa exemption list from October 15, 2024, and a formal request from China’s ambassador to Portugal for European nations to facilitate easier entry for Chinese citizens.

Despite these developments, Oostdam acknowledged the political climate in Europe remains challenging. He pointed to tightening immigration policies across several EU countries, notably the Netherlands, where political tensions had recently culminated in the withdrawal of the far-right party led by Geert Wilders from the governing coalition due to disagreements over immigration policy. This political shift signals increased resistance to liberalized migration and travel policies within parts of Europe.

Challenges Facing EU-China Tourism Relations

Oostdam lamented the paradox wherein China has eased visa restrictions for Europeans, but reciprocal moves from the EU have lagged. He stressed that free movement of people fosters mutual understanding and global goodwill but expressed reservations about the political will within the EU to ease restrictions for Chinese visitors in the near future.

Pedro Costa Ferreira, president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), echoed these sentiments. He expressed regret over the lack of an equivalent visa-free arrangement from the EU toward Chinese tourists. Ferreira underscored that visa requirements hinder travel mobility, which ultimately restrains tourism growth and the mutual benefits it brings.

Portugal currently enjoys visa-free access to China until December 31, 2025, a policy that has yet to be reciprocated. Oostdam expressed optimism that Portugal’s visa exemption with China might be extended for several years, signaling hope for a broader EU-China visa liberalization. He warned, however, that without reciprocal visa exemptions, the potential for increased tourism traffic between Europe and China will remain underutilized.

Impact of Geopolitical Issues on Air Travel Between Europe and Asia

The broader geopolitical context has further complicated travel links between Europe and Asia. ECTAA Vice-President Heli Mäki-Fränti highlighted that the closure of Russian airspace has forced airlines to drastically reduce flights to China. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU closed its airspace to Russian carriers, and Moscow retaliated by banning European airlines. This has resulted in longer, costlier flight paths between the continents.

Mäki-Fränti noted that many travelers are unwilling to bear the increased costs associated with these extended routes, leading to a decline in demand for air travel between Europe and China. The situation challenges airlines and the travel industry to find solutions to maintain connectivity while navigating these restrictions.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), pointed out that this airspace closure presents a strategic opportunity for Chinese carriers, which can operate over Russian territory, avoiding the airspace bans that European airlines face. However, Mäki-Fränti noted that European travelers are still largely unfamiliar with Chinese airlines, limiting their ability to capture market share.

She added that Chinese carriers could benefit significantly from enhanced promotional activities in Europe to raise awareness and build trust among European travelers, potentially offsetting some of the impacts of reduced European airline capacity to China.

Effects on the Travel Industry and Global Travelers

The issues surrounding visa policies and airspace restrictions are already influencing travel patterns and market dynamics. The lack of reciprocal visa-free access restricts the volume of Chinese tourists visiting Europe, one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. This impacts European tourism economies that rely on Chinese visitors for significant revenue.

The airspace closures and resultant route diversions increase travel times and costs, which can deter price-sensitive travelers. Airlines face operational challenges and potential revenue loss due to these geopolitical constraints, leading to adjustments in service offerings and pricing.

For global travelers, these developments mean increased complexity in planning trips between Europe and Asia, with potential delays, higher fares, and fewer direct flight options. Travel agents and tour operators must adapt by advising clients accordingly, exploring alternative routes, and promoting carriers less affected by airspace restrictions.

The broader economic and political tensions between the EU and China create uncertainty in travel, which may lead to fluctuating demand and shifts in preferred destinations. Stakeholders in the global travel ecosystem will need to monitor these developments closely and be prepared to respond to changing market conditions.

Key Points on EU-China Travel and Aviation Challenges

• ECTAA calls on the EU to ease entry requirements for Chinese travelers following China’s visa-free expansion to 30+ European countries.
• Political resistance in the EU, exemplified by policy shifts in the Netherlands, hampers visa liberalization efforts.
• Portugal enjoys a temporary visa exemption from China; hopes exist for extension and wider EU reciprocity.
• Russian airspace closure since 2022 complicates air travel between Europe and Asia, raising costs and flight times.
• Chinese carriers can fly over Russian territory, presenting an opportunity to increase their market share.
• European travelers remain unfamiliar with Chinese airlines, necessitating targeted promotion.
• Visa policies and geopolitical tensions significantly influence travel demand, pricing, and airline strategies.

Navigating Complexities in EU-China Travel Relations

The evolving landscape of EU-China travel relations, marked by China’s expansion of visa-free access and the EU’s more cautious stance, presents both challenges and opportunities for the travel industry. While easing visa requirements could unleash significant tourism and economic benefits, political and security concerns within Europe complicate swift progress.

Geopolitical events, including the closure of Russian airspace, add operational hurdles for airlines and travelers, reshaping flight routes and costs. The emergence of Chinese carriers as alternative service providers creates a new dynamic in transcontinental air travel, though their market penetration in Europe remains limited.

For travelers, the combined effects of visa policies and route restrictions will require greater awareness and flexibility in travel planning. For airlines, tour operators, and governments, strategic collaboration and adaptive marketing will be essential to sustaining travel flows and fostering international connectivity.

As dialogue continues through diplomatic channels and industry forums, the hope remains that a more open, equitable, and efficient travel environment will emerge—benefiting travelers, businesses, and economies across Europe and Asia.