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Europe 2025: regulations, fees and events

Adrienne Salmon

• 6 min read

This year many European countries (including the UK) will be introducing new measures to combat overtourism and increase border security. In addition, special events will see the number of visitors to certain countries swell. Top tip: to research your destination, check official sources for updates, and consider alternative routes or off-peak visits to make the most of your trip.

Here’s what you need to know about what’s changing for travellers in Europe in 2025, how it might affect your plans and what you need to do.

Spencer Davis

New Entry Requirements for Europe

Crossing European borders will soon require some extra paperwork to be filled out in advance of travel. The new entry systems include:

EES (Entry/Exit System)

  • What is it? A digital border control system for the Schengen area in Europe.

  • Who does it affect? UK travellers using a British passport.

  • When does it start? It's expected to start in October 2025.

  • What will I need to do? Register your biometric data (fingerprints or a photo) at your port of entry, which replaces the current passport stamping process. You’ll register on arrival at kiosks, with no need to provide information beforehand.

  • How long does it last? It is valid for 3 years, after which, you’ll only need to update your biometric data.

  • Anything I should know? At first there may be delays at certain ports and train stations (e.g., Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras). The current advice for Eurostar is that it may take 120 minutes to check in, rather than the 60 - 90 minutes currently suggested.

For more information on both the EES, visit the EU’s Travel Europe website or the Gov.UK page on the EES.

ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)

  • What is it? A digital permit that allows non-visa nationals to visit the UK.

  • Who does it affect? Visa-exempt European nationals and nationals from countries outside of Europe.

  • When does it start? For non-European nationals, it has already started, and for European nationals, it starts from April 2025.

  • What will I need to do? Apply online in advance of your trip (processing can take 3 working days). Once approved, it will be linked to the passport you applied with

  • How long does it last? It is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.

  • Anything I should know? The ETA costs £10 and you can travel to the UK as many times as you want while you have it. There is also a handy app available to apply via.

You can find full details and apply online at the official Gov.uk website, or download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Yoav Aziz

Overtourism and fees

In an effort to combat overtourism, many European destinations are implementing visitor limits, tourist taxes, and behavioural regulations, aiming to preserve what makes these places special while still welcoming travellers. Some places with updated measures include:

  • Barcelona is raising its tourist tax, meaning those staying in hotels and short-term rentals will pay more per night.

  • Mallorca has introduced a tourist tax, and a cap on visitor numbers in popular areas like the Calvia beaches and Tramuntana mountains to protect these fragile ecosystems.

  • Amsterdam has run campaigns to deter disruptive behaviour, such as excessive partying in residential areas, and are limiting the expansion of tourist-focused businesses in the city centre.

  • Venice has introduced a day-trip tax for visitors aged 14 and over, who will need to pay a €5 entry fee on certain days, rising to €10 if booked less than four days in advance, between April 18 and July 27.

What should I know? Most tourist fees are to be paid directly to hotels on arrival, in cash, so it's best to have some local currency to pay at reception. You can check regional tourism websites for the latest fees and restrictions.

Ágatha Depiné

Events in Europe 2025

There are some big events happening in Europe this year that may cause a swell in numbers of tourists to already popular destinations.

Jubilee Year in Rome and Italy

  • What's happening? 2025 is a Jubilee Year, a significant religious event held by the Vatican every 25 years.

  • How will it affect my trip? Rome will see an influx of pilgrims, making the city especially busy around key religious sites. Accommodation is expected to book up early, and security will be heightened. If you’re visiting, be prepared for crowd management measures, especially near St Peter’s Basilica.

  • Where can I find out more? The Vatican’s official Jubilee website provides details on planned events and advice for visitors.

  • Should you visit? Yes, but consider booking well in advance (at least six months), or in off-season when tourist spots are generally quieter.

Eurovision 2025

  • What's happening? Basel is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Final of the contest will take place in St. Jakobshalle, Basel, on Saturday 17th of May, with the semi-finals on Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th of May.

  • How will it affect your trip? The contest brings thousands of visitors to its host city each year, so expect a surge in demand for accommodation and transport in May.

  • Where can you find out more? Check the Eurovision website.

  • Should you visit? Yes, but consider avoiding the weekend of the Grand Final when the city will be much busier. You could also stay on the outskirts of Basel, which might help you avoid throngs of people.

UEFA Women’s EURO

  • What's happening? The UEFA Women’s EURO football competition will be taking place in Switzerland from the 2nd to 27th of July 2025. The eight host cities are Basel, Bern, Geneva, Zürich, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Sion and Thun.

  • How will it affect your trip? You can expect football fans across these cities, particularly on key game days. Accommodation may book up and prices may be higher.

  • Where can you find out more? Visit the UEFA website.

Should you visit? Yes, but book early if you can.

Women's Rugby World Cup

  • What's happening? The Women's Rugby World Cup is scheduled to take place across England between the 22nd of August and the 27th of September 2025. Cities that will be hosting the games include London, Sunderland, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Exeter, Northampton, Manchester and York.

  • How will it affect your trip? Accommodation in the host cities may book up early, and public transport is likely to be busy on game days.

  • Where can you find out more? On the Rugby World Cup website.

  • Should you visit? Yes, but plan ahead for journeys and accommodation.