Planning a trip to Europe in 2025? Find out what new restrictions, bans and fines await tourists in the most popular countries – Spain, Italy, France, Greece, the Netherlands and more. Travel responsibly – and enjoy Europe without problems

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Planning a trip to Europe in 2025? Be prepared: your dream holiday could turn costly if you ignore local laws. As tourist numbers are expected to reach historic highs, countries across the continent are implementing strict new measures to curb overtourism and restore balance in popular destinations. As Forbes reports, from smoking bans on beaches to fines for drinking alcohol in public, the list of tourist offenses is growing, and fines can reach thousands of euros.

Here’s a country-by-country breakdown of the latest travel rules, restrictions, and fines in Europe for 2025.

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Spain: No Smoking on Beaches, Fines for Swimwear, and Party Crackdowns

Spain is taking the lead in regulating tourist behavior, especially along its coastlines. Major destinations like Barcelona, the Costa del Sol, and the Balearic Islands now enforce beach smoking bans—with fines of up to €2,000. Reserving a sunbed and leaving it unattended? That could cost you €250.

Be careful in cities like Málaga or Marbella, where walking around in swimwear away from the beach is punishable. Even peeing in the sea in some places can result in a €750 fine.

Behind the wheel, tourists aren’t spared either—wearing flip-flops while driving may not be illegal, but if deemed unsafe, it could lead to a €200 fine. In party hotspots like Ibiza and Mallorca, pub crawls and party boats are banned, and public intoxication may result in penalties up to €3,000.

Italy: Venice Entry Fees, Dress Codes, and Fines for Dangerous Selfies

Italy's beloved hotspots are under pressure from mass tourism. Venice now charges day visitors €5–€10 to enter, and those caught dodging the fee may face fines up to €300. The city has also banned loudspeakers, oversized tour groups, and swimming in canals, which can result in €1,000 fines.

Elsewhere, selfie-taking that blocks foot traffic in Portofino can cost you €275. In Lake Garda, cliff-jumping or rough beach sports could earn fines as high as €700. In Sorrento, walking in swimwear outside designated zones may lead to a €500 penalty.

Pompeii and Rome’s Colosseum have both introduced daily visitor limits, and Roman authorities are cracking down on scam ticket sellers.

France: Alcohol Bans and Dress Rules on the Côte d’Azur

Think twice before opening that bottle of wine in public. Drinking in many areas of Paris and other French cities is now restricted, and violators can face fines up to €135. Along the French Riviera, places like Cannes prohibit revealing swimwear away from beaches—walking shirtless or in a bikini could cost you €38.

Greece: Cruise Visitor Limits, Beach Rules, and No High Heels at Ruins

Greece is protecting its iconic islands and ancient sites with new rules. Cruise passengers arriving at Santorini or Mykonos must now pay a €20 tourist fee during peak months, and daily cruise arrivals to Santorini are capped at 8,000.

Public beaches must keep 70% of their space free from sunbeds. Collecting shells or stones is illegal in many areas—with fines reaching €1,000. Wearing high heels at archaeological sites is banned, with penalties up to €900. The Acropolis also limits visitors and requires timed-entry tickets.

Croatia: No Swimwear in Cities, Quiet Hours on Islands

In Split and Dubrovnik, tourists walking around in swimwear—or worse, underwear—can be fined €150. Hvar has introduced quiet hours and a €600 fine for drinking in public. Dubrovnik now allows only two cruise ships per day and has cut back on taxi services and souvenir stands to reduce congestion.

Portugal: Noise Bans, Public Drinking Fines, and Restrictions on Swimwear

Albufeira and other Portuguese beach towns are cracking down. Tourists can be fined €1,500 for walking around in swimwear, and public nudity fines are even higher. Street drinking, spitting, and public urination are also punishable.

Playing loud music on the beach? You could be hit with a fine of up to €36,000. Some towns are even reducing bar hours to cut late-night noise. In Sintra, local protests have prompted authorities to consider limiting new hotel development.

Netherlands: Amsterdam Says “Stay Away” to Party Tourists

Amsterdam is pushing back hard against party tourism. Cannabis smoking in the Red Light District is banned, and bars close earlier than before. Strict limits apply to group tours and boat parties, with tighter rules on alcohol and noise.

New hotel construction is halted, and lawsuits are being filed against social media-driven businesses that draw disruptive crowds. The city's message is clear: be respectful—or stay home.

Austria: No Dashcams and a “Selfie Fence” in Hallstatt

In Hallstatt, a fairytale alpine town, a temporary fence was set up to block excessive photo-taking at key viewpoints. Austria also prohibits dashcams in most cases due to privacy laws, and using one can result in fines of up to €25,000.

Germany: Rude Gestures and Jaywalking Could Cost You

Germany enforces traffic etiquette strictly. Rude gestures or shouting insults while driving can lead to fines of €4,000. In Berlin and other cities, authorities are cracking down on noisy tourists and public drinking. Jaywalking is also prohibited.

Czechia: Prague Cracks Down on Pub Crawls and Beer Bikes

Prague wants to shed its wild-party image. Beer bikes are banned, pub crawls are restricted, and bars are fined if they serve already drunk patrons. Noise limits are enforced in historic areas.

Cyprus: No Eating or Drinking While Driving

Even drinking water behind the wheel is illegal in Cyprus and can lead to an €85 fine. It’s considered a distraction—and authorities are enforcing this rule seriously.

Iceland: Off-Road Driving Comes with Big Fines

Iceland is fiercely protective of its natural landscapes. Driving off-road is strictly prohibited and punishable by fines of up to ISK 500,000 (roughly €3,300). Violators face both financial and environmental consequences.

Switzerland: Silence, Cleanliness, and Eco Rules in Effect

Switzerland’s clean and quiet towns aren’t an accident. Littering and noise at night can lead to immediate fines. In Zermatt, gas-powered vehicles are banned altogether—only electric taxis are allowed to preserve air quality.

Europe in 2025 is as beautiful and culturally rich as ever—but tourists are now expected to behave responsibly and respect local communities. Before you set off on your European adventure, take a few minutes to review local laws and customs. A little preparation can save you from big fines—and help preserve these beloved destinations for future generations.

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Reminder! Planning a solo trip to Europe in 2025? We've already told you about the 7 destinations Lonely Planet named the best for solo travelers - from Sicily to the Faroe Islands. Safe, atmospheric and inspiring routes + tips for independent travel.

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