Europe introduced major travel changes: stricter border checks, tourist taxes and behaviour crackdowns

Europe introduced stricter border checks with biometric Entry/Exit Systems, expanded tourist taxes across popular destinations, and tougher behaviour rules with fines for misconduct in cities and resorts.

Border Checks & Entry Systems
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES): Launched on 12 October 2025, replacing passport stamps with biometric data collection (fingerprints, facial images, passport scans). Full rollout expected by April 2026.
- Applies to non-EU travellers entering Schengen countries (except Ireland and Cyprus), plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.
- Impact: Longer queues at airports, ferry ports, and land crossings during the initial rollout.
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System): Delayed until late 2026, but travellers should prepare for pre-travel authorisation requirements soon.
- UK ETA permit: From February 25, 2026, most visa-exempt visitors will need electronic travel authorisation to enter the UK.

Tourist Taxes & Hidden Costs
- Expansion of visitor fees:
- Venice: Introduced higher entry charges for day-trippers.
- Iceland, Norway, UK cities: New or increased tourist taxes.
- Accommodation costs rising: Budget stays are harder to find, with more destinations adding nightly surcharges.
- Purpose: To manage overtourism and fund local infrastructure.

Behaviour Crackdowns
- City codes of conduct:
- Palma (Mallorca), Albufeira (Portugal), San Sebastián (Spain): New bans on antisocial behaviour, stricter fines for drunkenness, noise, and disorderly conduct.
- Mass tourism management: Rules designed to preserve peace between residents and visitors.
- Enforcement: Police and local authorities empowered to fine tourists more quickly for violations.

What Travellers Should Do
- Plan extra time at borders for biometric checks.
- Budget for tourist taxes in destinations like Venice, Iceland, and UK cities.
- Respect local rules on behaviour—especially in nightlife hotspots—to avoid fines.
- Stay updated on ETIAS and UK ETA requirements if travelling in 2026.

In short:
Europe in 2025 tightened entry procedures, raised tourist costs, and enforced stricter behaviour rules to balance tourism with local quality of life. Travellers need to be prepared for more paperwork, higher fees, and stricter codes of conduct.