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.
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The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.
Starting 2 April 2025, all EU (except Irish nationals), EEA, and Swiss citizens need ETA approval to enter the UK.
The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
To obtain the visa waiver, which costs £10 (€12) from today or £16 (€19) from 9 April, travellers need to complete an online process – but some British citizens with dual nationality are already flagging issues.
How to apply for the UK’s ETA visa waiver
Travellers can either use the official mobile app, which can be downloaded from the UK government website, or apply online here.
To complete the application, you need the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.
The government advises applying at least three working days before your trip.
You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.
Though it seems pretty simple, the application process has left a handful of British dual nationals confused about whether they need to apply for the visa waiver or not.
ETA application issues for British dual nationals
In theory, British citizens with dual nationality do not need ETA and should be able to travel to the UK on whatever passport they choose.
But confusion has arisen for those who don’t have a British passport because theirs is expired, lost, or they were never issued with one.
If they choose to travel on their EU passport, the process of applying for ETA – and whether it is necessary – remains unclear.
The ETA application form asks travellers to declare any other nationalities, but the drop-down menu does not give the option to select ‘British citizen’.
Should British dual nationals continue with their application without declaring their ‘secondary’ nationality, they would theoretically be forced to give misinformation about their dual nationality.
Euronews Travel posed the question to an ETA advisor from the Home Office on their web chat.
The advisor refused to give guidance about not declaring British nationality on the ETA form. They stated that if you are a dual citizen with British/Irish citizenship, you do not need an ETA.
However, “you prove your permission to travel using your valid British/Irish passport or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the UK.”
When asked what to do if the traveller is not in possession of any of these documents, the advisor responded, “You either need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement”.
Renewing a UK passport from overseas costs £101 (€123), while a certificate of entitlement comes with a £550 (€658) fee. Both application processes take several weeks.
Euronews Travel has reached out to the Home Office for official guidance.
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Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik.
A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday as tourists at the nearby Blue Lagoon and residents of local communities were evacuated.
Flames and smoke shot through the air as a fissure opened near the town of Grindavík, about 50 kilometres southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, where roughly 40 homes have been evacuated, according to national broadcaster RUV.
Residents mostly vacated the community, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in 2023 when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years.
A swarm of small earthquakes began at around 6:30am local time on 1 April, similar to previous eruptions. The eruption just north of the protective barrier near Grindavík then began at 9:45am, according to Iceland’s Met Office (IMO).
Warning sirens started to sound when the orange-red fissure reached the town’s defence walls at around 10am. IMO has said that the fissure is now around 700 metres long, and “it cannot be ruled out that it may continue to open further south.”
Iceland sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic and, on average, sees one eruption every four to five years.
Experts have warned that volcanic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula has entered a new era, with the frequency of eruptions having surged. This is the 11th such event to have occurred since 2021, when this new eruption period began.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon closed until further notice
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions. Authorities evacuated guests from the geothermal spa, moving them to nearby hotels when it became clear an eruption was imminent.
It will remain closed through 1 April, and the situation will be assessed later on, according to a message posted on the Blue Lagoon’s website. All guests with bookings during this temporary closure will be contacted.
A ‘red alert’ has been issued for the town of Grindavík, and the area around it is closed off. It will remain closed until further notice.
Travellers have been asked to respect the closures and instructions from local authorities and to stay away while conditions are being assessed, according to Safe Travel Iceland.
During previous eruptions, tourists and locals keen to see the majestic event first-hand have been repeatedly warned to stay away from Reykjanes.
Though it is yet to be updated for the most recent eruption, the UK’s FCDO says eruptions and earthquakes are common in Iceland due to the country’s nature geography.
“In the event of an eruption or wider seismic activity follow the latest advice issued by the authorities,” it says. It adds that travellers should regularly check for alerts and advice from the Icelandic Tourism Board, Icelandic Met Office, Safe Travel Iceland and the Almannavarnir Facebook Page.
The effects of the eruption are currently localised and have not caused any problems for the nearby Keflavík airport- Iceland’s main international airport.
Though ash clouds from previous volcanic eruptions in Iceland have had disrupted international air travel, this one is not expected to do so.
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Travel
What is the ETA? European travellers need €12 entry permit to visit the UK starting this week
Read our full guide to the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): who needs it, how long it’s valid and how to apply.
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.
Starting 2 April 2025, all European visitors will need ETA approval – or, for some non-EU nationals, a visa – to enter the UK.
The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Read on for details on cost, validity and how to get it.
What is the ETA?
The ETA replaces the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme, offering a lower cost option with multi-entry validity.
The UK government notes that it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK. Rather, it authorises a person to travel to the UK.
The ETA is now required for all eligible nationalities. You can find the full list of countries here.
How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?
Most visitors will be able to apply using a mobile app and can expect a decision emailed within three days.
Everyone travelling needs to apply, including babies and children, but you can apply for other people.
The UK government says its app is the quickest and easiest way to apply for an ETA. You can download the ETA app from the UK government website.
If you cannot download the app, you can also apply online here.
To complete the application, make sure you have on hand the passport you’ll be travelling on, an email address and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You will have to answer a set of suitability questions. You don’t need to enter your travel details.
You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.
When to apply for your ETA
The government says: “You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.”
Considering most applicants will get a decision within three days, it can be assumed you should apply at least three ahead of travelling to the UK, though you can do it much further in advance.
How much does the UK ETA cost?
Like the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the US, a fee is attached to the application process.
The ETA costs £10 (approximately €12 at the time of writing), rising to £16 (€19) on 9 April 2025.
How long is the ETA valid?
An ETA lasts for two years. You do not need to apply again during this time.
You can travel to the UK as many times as you want during the period of validity, but you cannot stay for longer than six months on one trip. Check the UK government website for more details on what you can and cannot do on an ETA.
Note that you will need to apply for a new ETA if you get a new passport, as your ETA is linked to it.
Will I need a visa to enter the UK?
As mentioned above, the ETA isn’t a visa, but it does grant permission to enter the country.
All visitors who don’t currently require a visa will need to get an ETA before they travel. This includes those who do not currently need to submit any form of application to visit the UK. US, Canadian, Australian and European citizens need an ETA even for short stays or transiting through the UK, for example.
Travellers from countries that don’t have visa-free entry agreements with the UK will still have to apply for the correct visa and an ETA.
If you don’t apply before your trip, the government says you could be fined, though no further details have been given about this.
You still need to apply if you are transiting through the UK – even if you aren’t going through border control.
The ETA allows you to come to the UK for six months for tourism, visits to family and friends, business or short term study.
You can also get an ETA instead of a visa if you are coming to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession or coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. Outside of these conditions, you can’t use an ETA to do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens, people who already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the UK, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport and people who live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man don’t need to apply for an ETA.
Why is the UK introducing the ETA scheme?
The ETA is part of the UK’s plan to digitise its borders at UK airports by the end of 2025.
The scheme is intended to reduce queues at the border, “helping to speed up legitimate journeys to the UK”.
Facial recognition technology could be used to make these “contactless corridors” possible, British newspaper The Times reports. It would require international travellers to submit biographic and biometric details, like photos of their faces through the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme before they fly.
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