Published on
August 19, 2025
Italy, Spain, and Greece are taking center stage in Europe’s new battle against overtourism, introducing sweeping rules that will reshape how millions of travelers experience the continent. From reservation-only beaches in Sardinia to cruise passenger caps in the Greek islands and strict short-term rental bans in Spanish cities, these measures aim to protect cultural heritage, preserve local life, and reduce the environmental toll of mass tourism. Combined with digital border checks, new visitor fees, and tougher penalties for misconduct, the changes mark a turning point in European travel, demanding more preparation and responsibility from visitors than ever before.
Tourism in Europe is booming again. From the canals of Venice to the beaches of Spain and the islands of Greece, international visitor numbers are surging back to — and in some cases surpassing — pre-pandemic levels. While this brings much-needed revenue to local economies, it also creates pressure on housing, infrastructure, and the everyday lives of residents. In response, several European destinations are introducing stricter rules to manage the flow of visitors and protect their cultural and natural heritage.
From border checks powered by digital technology to reservation-only beaches, higher tourist fees, and penalties for bad behavior, the landscape of European travel is shifting quickly. Here’s what travelers need to know before their next trip.
Digital Borders: Europe Goes High-Tech
The European Union is modernizing how visitors are processed at its borders. Gone are the days when a quick passport stamp was enough to cross into the Schengen Area. Soon, travelers will be subject to the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace manual stamps with automated digital records.
Under the new system, passengers will need to provide fingerprints and facial scans at self-service kiosks before a border officer finalizes the check. Proof of accommodation, valid health insurance, and a return ticket will also be required in many cases. Similar systems are already in use in the United States and Canada, and Europe is adopting this model both to streamline arrivals and to tighten security.
Not long after, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will become mandatory for travelers from visa-free countries. This e-authorization, valid for three years, will cost €20 and mirror the U.S. ESTA program. While both initiatives have faced delays, they are expected to become part of standard travel to Europe in the near future.
For unprepared travelers, these changes could mean longer lines, denied boarding, or extra checks at the airport. For those who plan ahead, however, the systems promise faster processing and greater security.
Greece Limits Cruise Arrivals and Adds New Fees
Few places embody the pressures of overtourism more than Greece’s famous islands. Santorini and Mykonos, icons of the Aegean, see hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers descend during the summer. Streets become clogged, infrastructure stretched thin, and residents struggle to maintain normal life.
To ease the burden, Greek authorities have capped the number of cruise ships allowed to dock and introduced a new €20 fee per passenger. The money will go toward maintaining public infrastructure and managing the summer surge.
For travelers, this brings a mix of advantages and inconveniences. Fewer ships mean more manageable crowds, but the exclusivity could drive up the cost of cruises. In some cases, ports of call may be dropped or replaced entirely if docking slots are unavailable. Tourists with upcoming itineraries that include Greek islands should check with their cruise lines to confirm schedules.
Spain Cracks Down on Short-Term Rentals
Spain is also moving decisively to regulate the impact of mass tourism. Cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Palma de Mallorca have long struggled with soaring housing costs, fueled in part by the rapid rise of short-term rentals.
To tackle this, Barcelona announced plans to phase out all short-term rental licenses by 2028. Authorities are also shutting down tens of thousands of unlicensed properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb. Officials argue that holiday rentals have reduced the availability of housing for locals and transformed neighborhoods into tourist-only zones.
The changes will make it harder for travelers to rely on last-minute apartment bookings and will push demand toward licensed hotels and regulated accommodations. While this may reduce budget-friendly options, the long-term aim is to create a balance that keeps housing available for residents and ensures tourism remains sustainable.
Sardinia’s Reservation-Only Beaches
Italy’s Mediterranean jewel, Sardinia, has introduced a pioneering system to manage beach tourism. Some of the island’s most famous spots — La Pelosa, Cala Goloritzé, and Cala Luna — now require advance reservations to enter.
Daily visitor numbers are capped, and bookings must be made through an official app, often for a modest fee. During peak season, reservations sell out weeks in advance, leaving little room for spontaneous plans. Staff on-site enforce the rules strictly, and travelers without a confirmed slot are turned away.
The results so far have been positive: fewer crowds, healthier ecosystems, and a better visitor experience. Sand dunes, marine life, and coastal vegetation are showing signs of recovery after years of damage from overtourism. For flexible travelers, this change also opens the door to exploring Sardinia’s quieter, lesser-known stretches of coastline that remain free from reservation requirements.
Penalties for Misbehavior Across Europe
Local governments across Europe are also cracking down on poor tourist behavior. Viral videos of visitors vandalizing monuments or disrupting public spaces have prompted stricter enforcement and higher fines.
- Rome has introduced penalties of up to €400 for sitting on the Spanish Steps.
- Ibiza and Mallorca have banned public drinking, with fines running into the thousands.
- Religious and cultural sites across the continent enforce dress codes, with swimwear prohibited outside beaches and modest clothing required in churches and sacred locations.
These measures are not about restricting fun but about preserving heritage, maintaining order, and ensuring respect for local traditions.
What It All Means for Travelers
Europe’s new tourism policies mark a turning point in how destinations handle mass travel. While the rules may mean more planning, additional costs, or stricter entry checks, the aim is to protect the continent’s treasures for the future.
Italy, Spain, and Greece are rolling out tough new overtourism rules, from beach reservations and rental bans to cruise caps, reshaping how travelers experience Europe’s most popular destinations.
Popular cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona will remain major draws, but the evolving regulations may encourage travelers to look beyond the obvious hotspots. Smaller towns, rural escapes, and lesser-known coastlines offer fewer restrictions, thinner crowds, and more authentic experiences.
