Travelers from the UK heading to Europe will face significant changes affecting their holiday plans. Several popular European destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia have implemented various measures impacting tourists visiting specific areas or attractions. These changes include visitor number caps, increased tourism taxes, and higher entrance fees in certain regions.
The alterations coincide with the recent launch of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for British citizens traveling to the Schengen area. As part of this system, UK travelers are now required to undergo digital border checks, providing biometric information like fingerprints and a photo upon arrival in the Schengen zone.
The EES registration, replacing manual passport stamping, is free and entails a quick process at the airport border. While it may add a few minutes to the entry procedure, the registration remains valid for three years. Notably, countries in the Schengen area, excluding the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, fall under the EES requirements.
For detailed information on the new EES system, visitors can refer to the government’s official website. To prevent unruly behavior, some European destinations have introduced stringent regulations. For instance, Split in Croatia will restrict alcohol sales during specific hours to curb disturbances caused by intoxicated tourists.
Moreover, several Spanish locales have imposed rules on alcohol consumption and party boats to deter disruptive conduct. Palma, the capital of Mallorca, plans to reduce daily cruise ship berths starting from this summer. Similarly, Capri in Italy will limit tour group sizes to 40 individuals and enforce discreet guiding methods.
Barcelona has raised its tourism tax significantly, becoming the highest in Europe, while Bucharest in Romania has introduced a nightly tourist tax to boost its appeal as a travel destination. Venice has reinstated an entry fee for day-trippers, with discounted rates for early bookings.
Major European landmarks have also adjusted entrance fees or visitor capacities. For instance, the Louvre in Paris has raised fees for non-EU visitors, and Spain’s Prado Museum now limits the number of visitors at a time. Tourists visiting Cologne Cathedral in Germany or iconic sites like the Trevi Fountain in Rome and Juliet’s Balcony in Verona will encounter new entrance fees.
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