How are European Countries Combating Overtourism?
The main way in which European countries are addressing overtourism is through tourism tax. Countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Switzerland and more have all implemented a tourism tax to stop overcrowding. Not only does this raise revenue for local services, but it also deters short-term, high-impact visits.
Recently in Spain’s Catalonia region the tourist tax is set to increase from February 2026 onwards, increasing to a maximum of €15 per night.
Figures show that in 2025 they had 16 million visitors, with this being a 2.9% increase from the previous year and is set to rise again in 2026. After protests there is also a new law set to ban short-term rentals by 2028.
Visitor Caps and Entry Fees
Across southern Europe, some of the continent’s most iconic heritage sites are introducing firm limits to protect themselves from the pressures of mass tourism.
This is necessary especially in some countries such as Spain, as they set a new tourism record in 2025 when it welcomed 96.8 million foreign visitors, according to the National Statistics Institute.
In Venice, authorities have expanded a day-tripper entry fee of €5 to €10 on peak days, targeting short-stay visitors who contribute to overcrowding. This revenue is directed toward maintenance and preservation of the lagoon city.
At the Acropolis of Athens, daily admissions are now capped at 20,000 people, with mandatory timed entry slots designed to reduce congestion and protect the ancient monument from erosion.
In Dubrovnik, particularly within its UNESCO-listed Old Town, digital monitoring systems and controlled entry points help regulate the amount of tourists circulating the city, aligning daily visitor numbers with the city’s assessed carrying capacity.
Together, these measures reflect a growing shift from unrestricted access toward carefully managed tourism that prioritises long-term conservation over short-term volume, reflecting the significance of these heritage sites, but also sustainability.
European Countries Prioritising Sustainability
Europe’s fight against overtourism reflects a broader shift in how destinations manage travel’s economic and environmental trade-offs. Tourist taxes, visitor limits, rental restrictions, and smarter planning are all efforts to ensure that travel appeases both travellers and locals.
What do you think about these measures, are they effective or will they dissuade travellers? Let us know in the comments below.
