Travel
Planning a trip to Spain this summer? Here are all the new rules and regulations you need to know
Visitors to Spain will have to remember more than just their passport this year. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the tourist rules in Spain.
A warm and sunny climate, 5,000 km of coastline and world-class food and wine – it’s easy to see why Spain continues to be a top destination for tourists from all over the world.
In 2024, Spain welcomed a record-breaking 94 million visitors, 10 per cent more than arrived in 2023. International tourists spent approximately €126 billion, accounting for around 13 per cent of the national GDP.
But with this influx of tourists came a raft of problems, some of which Spain is trying to rectify in 2025. Following a year marked with high-profile anti-tourism protests, a number of new rules are being brought in or considered in an attempt to balance the needs of the locals with the impact of soaring visitor numbers.
With rules being set at multiple levels – some applying nationally and others just in specific towns and cities – navigating these new regulations can be a minefield for visitors.
Nevertheless, with some rules attracting fines of hundreds of euros, it’s important to be aware of what to do and expect when planning a trip to Spain this year.
What do you need to remember to get into Spain?
Spain’s entry requirements for tourists depend greatly on where you’re coming from, how long you plan to stay and why you’re travelling.
For visitors from the EU, EEA or Schengen Area, entry is still fairly straightforward. Just a national ID Card or Passport is required, and there’s no limit on the length of stay, although visitors must register if they plan to stay longer than 90 days.
For non-EU travellers, which includes the UK, Canada and USA, border checks have been tightened to better control arrivals.
Even if you’re only visiting Spain for one day, you’ll need a passport valid for at least three months after your planned departure date, as well as up to five other documents.
New for 2025, Spain is now requiring proof of travel insurance at the border for non-EU visitors. You should have a return or onward travel ticket in hand too, as you may be asked to show this.
You also need to show you have enough funds to cover the length of your stay in Spain, and proof of your hotel booking. If you plan to stay in your own property, you’ll need a proof of address.
For those staying with friends, family or a third party, a ‘carta de invitation’ from the person you’re staying with or proof of their address may be required.
If you’re planning a trip to Spain later in the year, be aware that the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to come into force in mid-2025. This travel authorisation costs €7 and can be applied for online, lasting for three years following a successful application.
What accommodation rules will be in place this year?
The Spanish government implemented new restrictions on short-term rentals on 2 January. Any property owner wishing to rent out their house is now required to be registered in a national database and obtain a permit before they can list their property on booking platforms.
Accommodation providers are also required to collect sensitive personal information from their guests, including bank details and personal identifiers. Spain has also proposed raising VAT on short-term rentals to match the 10 per cent paid by hotels which, if it happens, could make a stay in the country more expensive.
Airbnb has criticised the move, noting that previous efforts to restrict short-term rentals in other cities have not had the desired effect on overtourism.
Travellers are still able to stay in hotels, guesthouses and Airbnbs that were registered before these restrictions came into place, so in the short term, there should be little impact on holidaymakers. However, as visitor numbers continue to grow, the lack of new rental accommodation could see prices begin to inflate in the coming years.
Are Airbnbs banned in Spain?
Airbnbs are not banned across Spain, but will be restricted in some neighbourhoods.
In Malaga, 43 neighbourhoods have been identified where rental apartments exceed 8 per cent of the housing stock. In these neighbourhoods, no new rental properties will be allowed.
Barcelona plans to shut down all 10,000 apartments currently licensed as short-term rentals in the city. Airbnb-style flats will not have their licenses renewed, while new properties will be refused. Barcelona hopes to phase out all short-term tourist lets by 2028.
What tourist taxes will you need to pay in Spain?
Spain has had forms of a tourist tax in place since 2012, when Catalonia introduced a ‘ecotax’ of €0.60 to €3.50 per night. Now, several cities and regions have implemented a visitor tax, which has to be paid to the accommodation provider, usually at check-in.
Barcelona’s tourist tax is one of the fastest rising in Europe, and in 2025 it has been doubled. In early March, the Catalan government signed an agreement allowing Barcelona and other Catalan destinations to raise fees from €3.50 to €7 per night for luxury hotels.
Fees are doubling but remaining smaller at less lavish accommodation, with four star hotels attracting a rate of €3.40 per night, up from €1.70. Cruise passengers will be expected to pay €6, up from €3, even if they are just visiting for the day.
On top of this, Barcelona has a municipal surcharge of €4 per night, which could also be doubled in 2025. This would bring the total cost per night in taxes to €15 for the top end hotels, with VAT added on top.
In the Balearics, including Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, approvals have been granted to raise the overnight charge from €4 to €6 per person, per night. Rates will be highest for those holidaying in peak periods (June, July and August) and at the most luxurious hotels.
The Canary Islands are also mulling a tourist tax in the wake of multiple protests last year. The town of Mogan on Gran Canaria was the first to take a step, introducing a €0.15 fee per person, per day, in January.
Elsewhere in Spain, Santiago de Compostela and Toledo are introducing new tourist taxes in 2025, with fees ranging between €1 and €2.50 per person per night.
The bad behavior that could get you fined in Spain
Aside from the confusing taxation and rental rules, some Spanish towns have some pretty unusual rules about tourist behaviour.
Boozing bans in Barcelona and the Balearics
Cracking down on drunken disruption, Barcelona will ban pub crawls in the historic Eixample district from 1 June. Pub crawls have already been banned in the city’s old town – the Ciutat Vella district – since 2012, and that particular prohibition will remain in force until at least 2028.
In the Balearics, alcohol consumption has been restricted in all major resorts since May 2024. The rules apply in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia (Magaluf) in Mallorca as well as San Antonio in Ibiza. Alcohol consumption on the street is banned, and shops are not allowed to sell alcohol between 9.30 pm and 8 am.
Breaking these rules could see fines of €750 to €1,500 for disruptive behaviour or as much as €3,000 for the most serious offences.
Tourist driving ban in Mallorca
Hiring a car is set to get more difficult too, as visitors will be required to provide the same information to hire firms as they do to hotels. Some firms are allowing visitors to fill in the required forms before arriving to speed up the process, but remember to take a valid ID with you when collecting your vehicle.
The town of Soller in Mallorca has moved to ban tourists from driving in the town centre with its new low emission zone. Covering 12 historic streets and some 70 hectares of the municipality, the rule means only residents’ cars will be allowed to circulate.
Visitors driving non-registered vehicles, such as hire cars, will be asked to park in newly-created parking spaces, on the edge of the historic town centre.
Bans on beach gazebos and tents
Torrox, a popular destination on the Costa del Sol, is banning beach tents, gazebos and similar structures from being set up on the beach. Approved by local councils on 24 February, the rule aims to increase safety in the town.
Councilors explain that such structures take up space, create noise and block the view of lifeguards trying to protect swimmers. They could also get in the way of emergency services trying to access the beach.
Torrox first made headlines in 2014 when it became the first municipality in Malaga to issue fines for beachgoers who tried to reserve spots by leaving deckchairs, umbrellas, or personal belongings unattended.
Smoking in Spain could light up a fine
Over recent years, Spain has cracked down on smoking heavily. Although smoking indoors has been banned since 2011, several outside spaces also have restrictions that visitors should be aware of.
Barcelona was the first major city in Spain to ban smoking on beaches, but more than 100 other beaches in the country have since imposed bans.
On the Balearic islands, 28 beaches are now smoke-free zones. In Ibiza, these include Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río and Playa de Talamanca; in Mallorca, it includes Sant Joan, Santa Ponsa, Cala Estància and several others; and in Menorca, smoking is banned at Binissafúller and Platja Gran.
Elsewhere in Spain, 53 beaches in Andalucia, 61 beaches on the Canary Islands and 18 beaches in the Costa del Sol have all been declared smoke-free. In Costa Blanca, one in four beaches has banned smoking.
In addition to traditional smoking, a recent rule change has seen vaping banned in several locations. Ten beaches in Barcelona and 28 in the Balearic Islands have banned the use of vapes.
Peeing in the sea could cost you more than your dignity
Whatever your stance on urination in the ocean, Spain is keen to stop it happening.
Two years ago, the northern Spanish town of Vigo introduced fines for “physiological evacuation on the beach or in the sea.” Following in its footsteps, Malaga has also banned underwater urination at 25 beaches in the municipality, and is looking to increase its fines from €300 to €750.
The ruling for Malaga is still under consultation, but if it is passed, it could see a number of other disruptive activities banned like playing with balls, allowing dogs to enter the water and reserving areas with parasols.
How to stay the right side of the tourist laws in Spain
While it may seem confusing, most of the rules on taxation fall to your accommodation provider to comply. Tourist taxes should be collected by the property and then declared to the government, and any failure to do so will see the accommodation owner in trouble, not the tourist.
Making sure you have all the right documentation is a natural part of any trip. Keep it on hand as you go through border control in case you’re asked for proof, and watch out for news on the ETIAS coming into force as this will be another step to remember.
When it comes to bad behaviour, acting with decency and consideration from local residents will usually be enough to keep you away from any fines. However, do check with your accommodation or travel agent about the rules in place at your destination to avoid falling foul of any new local restrictions.
Travel
Thousands of flights cancelled across Germany due to major strike action at 13 airports
The one day walk out has already left thousands of flights grounded at hubs including Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich.
A one-day strike by workers at 13 German airports, including the Frankfurt and Munich hubs and all the country’s other main destinations, has caused the cancellation of most flights on Monday 10 March.
More than half a million people could face travel disruption today across the country, with more than 3,400 expected flight cancellations, according to German Airports Association ADV.
Passengers have been urged not to travel to airports and are being advised to contact their airline or tour operator for information about rebooking or alternative travel options.
The 24-hour walkout, which started at midnight, involves public-sector employees at the airports as well as ground and security staff. The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions.
Where are airport workers on strike in Germany?
The operator of Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, has said that no passenger flights will depart from there on Monday. Transfers are also likely to be affected.
At Frankfurt Airport, 1,054 of the day’s 1,116 scheduled takeoffs and landings had been canceled, German news agency dpa reported, citing airport traffic management.
The airport operator says delays and cancellations may also be possible on Tuesday.
The Lufthansa Group, which has its main hub at Frankfurt Airport, has confirmed that it is facing “delays and extensive cancellations” across all of its airlines. This includes German flag carrier Lufthansa, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines.
Flights have also been cancelled at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, as it warned that “all regular departures and arrivals will be affected by the strikes and therefore cannot take place.” Affected passengers have been advised to contact their airline or tour operator for information about rebooking options and alternative travel options.
The airport is expecting to resume regular and scheduled airport operations on Tuesday 11 March.
Hamburg Airport has said no departures would be possible with strikes affecting several areas including aircraft handling and passenger security checks. Arrivals may still be possible but, it adds, “significant disruptions and cancellations are expected”. Late night check-in for Tuesday flights also won’t be possible on 10 March.
It has advised passengers planning to depart on Monday not to come to the airport and to contact their airline.
Cologne/Bonn Airport said there was no regular passenger service on 10 March, adding that “passengers who have booked a flight for Monday should contact their airline or travel agent before travelling to find out about the status of their flight.”
Munich Airport advised travelers to expect a “greatly reduced flight schedule”, saying passengers are “strongly advised to check the flight status with their airline”.
Hannover Airport has asked all passengers who are going to depart from or arrive in Hannover on 10 March to contact their airline or tour operator.
The ver.di service workers union’s strike targeted the Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Dortmund, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Stuttgart and Munich airports.
At the smaller Weeze and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, only security workers were called out. The union announced the strike on Friday.
Short notice strike at Hamburg leaves thousands of passengers stranded
At Hamburg Airport, ver.di added a short-notice walkout on Sunday 9 March to the strike on Monday, arguing that it must ensure the measure was effective.
Staff walked out early on Sunday morning, leaving thousands of passengers facing disruption, and airlines forced to cancel or redirect flights. Almost all flights to and from the airport were cancelled.
Some passengers had reportedly already checked in their luggage and were having problems getting it back, according to public broadcaster NDR.
The so-called “warning strike,” a common tactic in German wage negotiations, relates to two separate pay disputes: negotiations on a new pay and conditions contract for airport security workers, and a wider dispute over pay for employees of federal and municipal governments.
The latter already has led to walkouts at Cologne/Bonn, Duesseldorf, Hamburg and Munich airports.
Pay talks in that dispute are due to resume on Friday, while the next round of talks for airport security workers is expected to start on 26 March.
Travel
Unleashing adventure: How women-only touring holidays are transforming travel experiences
For International Women’s Day, Euronews Travel spoke to female-led travel companies about what women really want.
For International Women’s Day, Euronews Travel spoke to female-led travel companies about what women really want.
Women travellers have been on the rise in the last few years: 71 per cent of solo travellers are women – of which 25 per cent are 65 or older, according to Virtuoso’s August 2024 trends report and Skift.
Changing societal norms and greater financial independence gives us women the freedom to explore more. We get to focus on personal growth, empowerment, and chase adventure.
What’s more, women tend to give adventure and cultural experiences equal weight, a 2024 Global Rescue Survey revealed.
Why might that be? Because we want to engage more deeply with local practices and customs, as part of an attempt to seek out authentic connections beyond typical ‘fly and flop’ tourism.
This changing trend has led more female entrepreneurs with keen insight to venture into the travel industry. Euronews Travels speaks to several of these travel ‘sheroes’ making waves.
Women seek out more authentic experiences
Many women don’t get the opportunity to travel much during younger years, due to responsibilities like marriage, children, a career, or socioeconomic and cultural factors.
As such, the first time women tend to take a longer or more adventurous trip is later in life, which leads some to choose smaller, often more intimate group tours.
“There’s a growing desire to explore smaller, quaint, and charming destinations that offer rich culture, local connections, and a sense of discovery,” explains Ellen Flowers, travel blogger at The Perennial Style.
“Rather than the hustle and bustle of major cities, women travellers are drawn to hidden villages in the French countryside, serene coastal towns in Portugal, or lesser-known gems in Eastern Europe.”
Gabrielle Wise, founder of Walk Talk Eat France, recognises this desire and helps older, first-time – and often solo – women travellers feel more at ease through unhurried French food and wine tours.
“I offer a very relaxing 10 day retreat in the French countryside of the Dordogne region. Here, we go gentle: walking, talking, eating. It’s a slower pace of travel and activities. We have light exercises each morning overlooking medieval castles and villages,” says Wise. “We visit stunning prehistoric caves and visit vineyards and buy local produce from markets to take home and cook together.”
In several cases, Wise’s guests have found close companions on these trips that they then choose to travel with year after year.
Custom tours are designed for both active and ‘hobbyist’ female travellers
Many women-only trips tend to focus around specific hobbies, such as painting, horse-riding, and cooking. Future Market Insights estimates that the special interest tourism market could hit $5.1bn (€4.7bn) by 2025.
Tours by Marie, for example, specialises in gardening trips to France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, England, and Portugal.
“My clients are garden clubs and groups of passionate gardeners,” says founder Marie-Elisabeth Offierski. “Hands-on experiences such as a cooking class, a flower-arranging workshop or a photography session are popular. Women want to learn – that’s part of making the most of their time away.”
In other cases, women want to explore how other women live, and get a better understanding of their culture and lives, by championing local women entrepreneurs and spending time with female artisans.
“Our most popular women-only trips connect female travellers with women in their host country, often in ways that wouldn’t be accessible in mixed groups,” explains Sarah Faith at Responsible Travel. “These holidays are very much about seeing a country through the eyes of the women who live there.”
Active holidays, meanwhile, provide the sense of accomplishment and social connections that women enjoy – but through a more engaging low-impact exercise, such as walking, biking and hiking.
UK-based Walking Women, which has been providing walking holidays exclusively for women since 2021, offers different levels of treks depending on experience. It also sprinkles in local culture by collaborating with women winemakers, cheesemakers, and chefs. Demand is clearly there, as the company has grown from 300 guests in their first year to 1,000 today.
The company’s all-female guides go at a steady pace to ensure the entire group reaches the summits. “We hear this is not always the case in mixed hikes where sometimes women can be left behind,” says Ginny Lunn, one of the joint owners.
Women of all ages actively seek out adventure
Whether kayaking, trekking or backpacking, older women are more than happy to challenge themselves and explore the unknown. For many, it’s a sense of personal freedom.
“Women over 50 are proving that thrill-seeking has no expiration date,”says Kathy McCabe, executive producer of Dream of Italy.
“From scaling down cliffs to trekking through remote landscapes, these fearless explorers are breaking stereotypes and showing that meaningful, active travel is for everyone.”
Even higher-end travel experiences, such as a relaxing cruise, now offer opportunities for women to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities, and McCabe expects to see more spa-at-sea sanctuaries and exclusive women’s excursions in the coming months.
“We’re starting to see a range of cruise lines launching women-only voyages featuring female-led expeditions, immersive activities, and adrenaline-packed activities like scuba diving and polar plunges,” she says.
This growing trend of adventure travel is not only restricted to the more mature women, as co-founder Erika De Santi of WeRoad, an Italian scaleup focusing on group adventure travel for Gen Z and millennial solo travellers, observes:
“Whether it’s young professionals taking a break from the workforce, those looking to rediscover themselves after a breakup or major life event, or those in their 20s-40s who find themselves at different life stages from their friends and unable to find a travel partner – women are increasingly seeking out adventure, and going it alone,” she says.
The stresses and pressure of modern life, especially on younger adults, have caused a boom in wellness travel too, further influenced by social media platforms TikTok and Instagram.
WeRoad’s group yoga trips, for example, have seen a 400 per cent increase in bookings.
“These experiences aren’t just about relaxation but also personal growth and emotional rejuvenation, offering travellers the chance to disconnect from their everyday lives and connect with others,” adds De Santi.
Women worry about safety when travelling
Several of the female-led companies Euronews Travel spoke to told us they prefer to partner with women-owned hotels and transport partners as a way to guarantee comfort and safety.
This includes choosing female guides who have a unique women’s perspective into the local culture and know how to deal with harassment and women-focused scams.
Providing a good support network in case of issues or emergencies is also paramount.
Byway, a travel company specialising in flight-free holidays, focuses on providing this support with a WhatsApp chat which its female travellers can use throughout the holiday, along with a 24/7 emergency phone number.
“We always book private sleeper cabins and private hotel rooms, and focus on safer neighbourhoods with good nighttime lighting,” explains founder Cat Jones, who adds that as a female-led company all women travellers are “well catered for by default.”
Megan Vila, innovation manager at London-based TourAxis, agrees that women deserve more advice when navigating new destinations and cultural differences: “Understanding local customs, advising which areas or what behaviours to avoid, and putting a plan in place should they feel unsafe are the best ways to do this.”
Travel
‘The fastest growing destination in the world’: Why European travellers are flocking to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is becoming a must-visit destination for Europeans. Here are the best places to visit.
Once the “best-kept secret” from travellers worldwide, Saudi Arabia is now a must-visit destination for Europeans.
Speaking at ITB Berlin 2025, the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, told Euronews Travel that European visits surged by 24 per cent in 2024 and that the country is rapidly becoming a global sports hub – hosting more events than Las Vegas.
From upcoming premier sporting events like the World Cup 2034 to luxury travel experiences along the Red Sea coastline and even desert camping in the starry-skied desert, Saudi Arabia is meeting a whole host of travellers’ wishes, making it an ideal ‘best of both worlds’ destination for guests who have very different interests.
There are more European visitors in Saudi than anywhere else
“Saudi Arabia has been the best and the largest secret kept from travellers around the world,” says Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority.
“Last year we witnessed the highest growth coming from Europe, with 24 per cent growth from Europe alone, out of which 44 per cent were women.
“When we started in 2019, our ambition was to hit 100 million visits by 2030. By the end of 2023, we exceeded 106 million.
“Now, the new target is 150 million, and we are continuing to grow in double digits every year. For the past four years, we’ve been the fastest-growing destination in the world.”
From the stunning Red Sea coastline to vast desert landscapes and world-class sporting events, Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of adventure culture and luxury.
Here are the best ways to discover the Kingdom in 2025.
From World Cup to Grand Prix: The world’s premier sporting destination
Saudi Arabia has quickly established itself as a key player in global sports tourism.
World-class athletes Christiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury and Max Verstappen have all competed on Saudi soil, while major sporting events draw crowds from around the globe.
In 2034, millions will touch down in Saudi Arabia for the FIFA World Cup, while 2025 is already jam-packed with sporting events.
In April, the AFC Asian U17 Cup will showcase Asia’s brightest young football stars, while motorsports fans can witness Lewis Hamilton kitted out in Ferrari red as he takes to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix.
In August, basketball fans can watch the continent’s leading basketball-playing nations chase victory at the FIBA Asia Cup, while tennis fans can witness the world’s best eight tennis players on centre court at WTA Tour Finals in November.
“With every large sporting event, be it a Formula One or the World Cup, you will see a series of cultural events,” says Hamidaddin.
“Saudi has been hosting more events per week than Vegas had events per week, from the Formulas, to boxing, to the World Cup, to tennis, and Dakar [Rally – the off-road endurance event].”
Sun, sand and serenity: Experience total luxury at The Red Sea
With pristine coastlines, unrivalled marine life and a string of opulent five-star hotels, the Red Sea is a 28,000-square-kilometre paradise on Saudi Arabia’s western coast.
Already, two luxury properties have opened on its shores, including the Six Senses Southern Dunes, and the St. Regis Red Sea Resort with overwater villas perching above turquoise waters.
“The Saudi Red Sea is the largest vertical riviera in the world,” explains Hamidaddin. “It’s a super destination that stretches from the top of Neom and Sindalah Island down to the south of the Saudi coast.”
By the end of 2025, the destination will be home to 16 resorts, with a total of 50 planned by 2030, as well as luxury marinas, golf courses, and residential properties.
Red Sea Global, the destination’s developer, says that responsible development is at the heart of the project.75 per cent of the destination’s islands are due to be left untouched, while the rest will operate on renewable energy.
Camping under the stars in the Saudi desert
About 30 per cent of the land in Saudi Arabia is covered by desert, and the Kingdom is famous for its towering dunes, from the reddish hues of the Ad Dahna Desert to the sprawling expanse of Rub’Al Khali (The Empty Quarter), the world’s largest continuous sand desert.
“The great Arabian dunes are a global offering in winter that is potentially as big as safari in Africa and skiing in the Alps,” says Hamidaddin.
“From sand healing to sand sports, extreme adventure to stargazing, there’s so much that can be done, including witnessing rewilding initiatives through which we’ve introduced 21 species to create a new animal kingdom.”
In the ancient city of AlUla, you can enjoy camel trekking, desert camping, and stargazing under the vast desert sky.
For more adventure, hike through the Red Sands near Riyadh or explore the historic Najd region, where off-road experiences are unparalleled.
For one of the Kingdom’s most high-octane desert attractions, head to the Edge of the World, a 1,131-metre cliff within the Tuwaik mountain range, also near Riyadh. Here, you can climb to eye-watering heights for some of the most spectacular views in the country.
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