Norway Unites with Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, and More as Europe Confronts New Travel Challenges in 2025 with EES, ETA, Increased Fee Hikes, and Rising Night Stay Taxes Impacting Visitors

Published on December 6, 2025

In 2025, Europe confronts a new set of travel challenges as countries like Norway, Italy, France, Austria, and Switzerland introduce significant changes to their travel systems. The implementation of the European Entry System (EES) and European Travel Authorisation (ETA), alongside rising tourist taxes and increased night stay fees, are poised to impact visitors. These developments are altering the travel landscape, making it more complex and expensive for tourists to navigate the continent.

As Europe faces these evolving travel challenges, the new regulations are expected to create ripple effects across the continent. The European Entry System (EES) will require all travelers from non-EU countries to register their biometric data, leading to longer processing times at borders. Meanwhile, the European Travel Authorisation (ETA) introduces additional layers of documentation for visitors, complicating travel planning. On top of these, increased fees for tourist attractions, accommodation, and rising night stay taxes will add further pressure on travelers’ budgets. With these shifts, tourists will need to be more prepared than ever before to navigate Europe’s new travel landscape.

Europe’s travel landscape in 2025 is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with significant changes in border control procedures, travel costs, and regulations aimed at tackling overcrowding and enhancing security. As the continent seeks to maintain a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving its cultural and environmental integrity, new rules and fee hikes have become unavoidable. From stricter entry requirements to higher taxes, this year is a pivotal one for travelers to Europe.

EU Border Control Updates: A New Era of Security and Digital Entry

One of the most impactful changes in European travel for 2025 is the rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. This new system is designed to tighten border controls and enhance security by requiring non-EU travelers at Schengen external borders to submit biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images. This shift replaces the traditional passport stamp with a digital process, making it more efficient but also creating a significant change in how visitors will enter Europe.

The EES covers all Schengen Area countries—including major travel destinations such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy—as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, but notably excludes Ireland and Cyprus. The system’s main goal is to better monitor entries and exits, prevent illegal migration, and track overstays, providing a more accurate record of how long individuals remain within the Schengen Zone.

The full rollout is expected by April 10, 2026, though delays have occurred due to technical issues, particularly at busy points like the UK Port of Dover, where delays are expected to persist until 2026. As travelers adapt to the new system, they should prepare for longer waits at some border points, especially during peak travel seasons like Christmas and summer holidays. These disruptions highlight the growing importance of digital travel and the need for travelers to adjust to these new procedures to avoid delays.

The Launch of ETIAS: Another Step Towards a Digital Europe

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a long-awaited initiative, will be introduced to visa-exempt tourists entering the Schengen Area. Initially expected to launch in 2025, the ETIAS has been delayed until late 2026. This online system will require tourists from 63 countries (including the USA, Canada, and Australia) to apply for an online authorisation before entering Europe.

The cost for the ETIAS is €20, and it will allow travelers to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This system is expected to improve safety by pre-screening visitors, offering a streamlined entry process. Once introduced, it will be valid for three years, allowing frequent visitors to travel without applying for a new authorization each time.

The delay of ETIAS until late 2026 will cause some disruptions for those planning to visit Europe in the coming years. Until its introduction, travelers must still follow traditional visa or entry requirements, with ETIAS becoming mandatory once launched.

UK ETA: New Requirements for Non-Visa Nationals

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be enforced starting February 2026, requiring citizens from 85 countries who do not currently need a visa to apply for a digital permit before visiting the UK. The application fee is £16 (around €18.20), and the ETA will be valid for two years, allowing multiple short stays of up to six months.

This move is part of the UK’s ongoing effort to digitize travel entry processes, making it easier to track who enters and exits the country. Though the ETA system was initially launched in October 2023, it was not strictly enforced until 2026, and tourists will need to prepare for this new requirement when planning travel to the UK.

Rising Tourist Costs Across Europe: Taxes, Fees, and Inflation

In addition to the changes in entry procedures, travel costs across Europe have risen significantly in 2025. The surge in fees and taxes is partly driven by inflation, rising operational costs, and an increased focus on sustainable tourism. As Europe tightens its borders and adjusts its policies, travelers will also feel the financial pinch from rising tourist taxes and new accommodation-related fees.

Tourist Taxes: A Growing Trend Across Europe

Countries such as Iceland, Spain, Norway, the UK, and Italy have all introduced or increased tourist taxes in 2025. These taxes are primarily designed to help fund infrastructure improvements, manage the environmental impact of tourism, and regulate the influx of travelers into popular cities and regions.

For example:

• Iceland has raised its tourist tax significantly, with overnight stays now costing €4-5 per night.
• Spain has followed suit, implementing an increase in hotel surcharges in Catalonia. These charges are expected to continue rising, with Barcelona’s hotel tax set to increase to €8 by 2029.

In Venice, the day-tripper fee remains in place as part of efforts to curb overcrowding and protect the city’s fragile environment.

Ski Resort Price Hikes

Ski enthusiasts have also felt the pinch in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France, where ski pass prices have jumped by as much as 40% since 2021. With the rising costs of energy and maintenance in ski resorts, prices are set to continue rising, making winter sports less affordable for budget travelers. For instance, a ski pass in Zermatt, Switzerland, now averages €108, while in Italy’s Dolomites, it can cost €86.

These increases are part of a broader trend across Europe to move away from mass tourism in favor of more sustainable and high-spending visitors. The goal is to ensure that tourism benefits local economies without overburdening infrastructure or the environment.

The Crackdown on Short-Term Rentals: A Shift Toward Quality Tourism

As European cities continue to grapple with rising housing costs due to mass tourism, restrictions on short-term rentals have become a central issue in 2025. Cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome have imposed limits on short-term rentals through platforms such as Airbnb. These measures aim to reduce the availability of properties for tourists and ease pressure on local housing markets.

In Paris, for example, Airbnb properties that are rented for fewer than 31 days must be registered, and failure to do so could result in hefty fines up to €500,000. This crackdown is part of a broader EU-wide policy that will come into full effect on July 1, 2025. Spain has already removed thousands of listings from Airbnb, further reducing the availability of budget accommodations.

The new rules will likely drive up the cost of finding short-term rentals, as the supply of such properties decreases. For travelers, this means that securing affordable accommodation may become more difficult, especially during peak seasons.

Traveling to Europe in 2025 requires preparation, patience, and an understanding of the evolving landscape. From the EU’s biometric border checks and new travel authorization systems like ETIAS and UK ETA, to higher taxes and short-term rental restrictions, the continent is redefining how it manages visitors.

Though these changes may seem daunting, they reflect Europe’s shift toward a more sustainable, secure, and high-quality tourism model. Travelers can expect a smoother, though sometimes slower, journey as digital systems are integrated and stricter regulations are enforced. For now, planning ahead is crucial to ensure a smooth trip, whether you’re visiting for leisure or business.

In the long run, these measures will not only help preserve Europe’s cultural and natural heritage but also encourage a more mindful and rewarding travel experience for those who visit the continent.

In 2025, Europe confronts new travel challenges as countries like Norway, Italy, France, Austria, and Switzerland implement the European Entry System (EES) and European Travel Authorisation (ETA), alongside rising tourist taxes and night stay fees. These changes are expected to complicate travel plans and increase costs for visitors across the continent.

As travelers adjust to these changes, a well-planned journey will ensure an enjoyable experience despite the rising costs and more stringent entry requirements.