Italy Joins France, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, and Other European Countries in Implementing Stricter Overtourism Measures and Restrictions to Boost Tourism Growth and Sustainability This Year: Everything You Need to Know

In 2026, Italy joins France, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, and other European countries in implementing stricter overtourism measures and restrictions to boost tourism growth and sustainability. These measures are a response to the increasing pressures of mass tourism, which have overwhelmed popular destinations and strained local resources. Countries like Italy and France are introducing entry fees, limiting visitor numbers, and regulating short-term rentals to preserve cultural heritage and local communities. Greece and Croatia are using fees and technological solutions to manage cruise tourism and visitor traffic. These efforts are designed to strike a balance between economic growth through tourism and the need for sustainability to ensure that future generations can enjoy these iconic destinations. As trade.gov notes, the implementation of these measures represents a growing commitment by European nations to control tourism’s negative impacts while still allowing visitors to experience their rich cultural offerings in a responsible and sustainable way.

What is Overtourism?

Overtourism occurs when a destination or site experiences an unsustainable number of tourists, resulting in negative effects on the environment, local culture, and quality of life for residents. It happens when tourist numbers exceed a location’s capacity to accommodate them without causing harm. This can lead to overcrowded landmarks, environmental degradation, increased pollution, inflated prices, and loss of authentic cultural experiences. Popular destinations such as Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam have been significantly affected by overtourism, where the influx of visitors has outpaced the ability of cities to manage the social and environmental impacts. Addressing overtourism requires balancing economic growth through tourism with sustainable practices that protect both the destination and its inhabitants. Solutions often involve limiting visitor numbers, implementing entry fees, promoting off-season travel, and focusing on eco-tourism practices to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy these treasured locations.

Italy: The “Museum City” Model Battles Overtourism

Italy has fully embraced the “Museum City” model to address the growing issue of overtourism, particularly in popular cities like Venice and Rome. In response to overwhelming visitor numbers, Italy has implemented a variety of regulations aimed at curbing overcrowding and preserving its historic cities. Venice, for example, now charges a €5 to €10 entry fee on 54 peak days to limit the number of day-trippers, a necessary step given the city’s frailty due to excessive tourism. Rome, notorious for its high foot traffic at landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, has introduced a €2 selfie fee to regulate the constant stream of visitors. Furthermore, iconic areas like Portofino have enforced €275 fines for tourists who “linger” too long in high-traffic zones, creating unintended congestion. To control the growing pressure on resources, Italy has also raised the city tax to €12 per night in major cities like Florence and Rome. As trade.gov notes, these measures are part of a broader effort to protect Italy’s cultural heritage while still allowing tourists to experience the country. Italy’s approach to managing tourism reflects a shift towards more sustainable travel practices in historically significant areas.

France: Instagram-Friendly Locations Targeted with Entry Fees

France is targeting its most popular tourist spots, many of which are overwhelmed by visitors seeking the perfect Instagram photo. Montmartre in Paris, one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods, has introduced saturation point measures to limit the number of visitors at any given time. These include restricting terrace seating and implementing noise curfews to reduce the impact of high volumes of tourists. Similarly, both the Louvre and Versailles have introduced entry price hikes, with non-EU residents facing increases of up to €35. These price adjustments are aimed at managing the flow of visitors to these globally recognized sites, ensuring that they are not overwhelmed by crowds. Additionally, Marseille has taken action to curb the illegal use of Airbnbs by banning external key safes for rentals. This measure aims to address housing shortages and preserve local living conditions in the face of rising tourist demand. According to trade.gov, France’s efforts are centered on balancing its status as a top destination with the need to protect local life and culture from the disruptive impacts of mass tourism.

Spain: Anti-Tourism Protests Fuel Strict New Measures

Spain has become the focal point for anti-tourism protests, driven by a growing backlash against the housing crisis and the overwhelming influx of tourists in cities like Barcelona and Malaga. As a result, Spain has taken bold steps to combat overtourism, particularly through legal action against short-term rentals like Airbnb. The city of Barcelona is on track to cancel 10,000+ tourist apartment licenses by 2028, significantly reducing the number of illegal listings. Meanwhile, regions such as Andalucía, including Seville and Malaga, have removed 13,000 illegal rental listings in early 2026. Spain has also introduced a tourist tax in Catalonia, with up to €15 per night for luxury accommodations. This levy aims to reduce the pressure on the local infrastructure while funding sustainable tourism projects. Additionally, the Canary Islands has implemented an Eco-Tax for visitors to national parks, directly contributing to conservation efforts. According to trade.gov, these measures represent Spain’s commitment to managing tourism sustainably and ensuring that the influx of visitors does not degrade the quality of life for locals. The government’s assertive stance underscores the importance of balancing tourism with the protection of Spain’s resources.

Netherlands: Amsterdam Tightens Its Grip on Tourism

Amsterdam has long been a hotspot for international visitors, but in recent years, the city has seen a sharp increase in restrictions to curb overtourism. The Dutch capital has implemented stringent measures, including a hotel construction ban to prevent the city from becoming overcrowded with tourists. Accommodation VAT has also been doubled from 9% to 21% for short-term stays, adding another financial barrier for travelers. In addition, Amsterdam has relocated its sea cruise terminals outside the city center to reduce the pollution and congestion caused by day-trippers. With a legally mandated overnight cap of 20 million stays per year, Amsterdam is striving to preserve its charm without sacrificing the experience for locals or tourists. Trade.gov reports that these measures are part of the Netherlands’ broader strategy to control the negative impact of tourism while maintaining its appeal as a top European destination. The approach emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring that tourism benefits both the local community and the visitors who choose to experience Amsterdam’s rich cultural offerings in a sustainable way.

Greece: Tackling the “Cruise Crisis” with New Fees

Greece is grappling with the phenomenon of cruise tourism, where large ships deposit thousands of passengers into small, often fragile islands for short visits. In response, Santorini and Mykonos have implemented a €20 per passenger levy for cruise ships docking during peak summer months. This fee is designed to manage the flow of tourists and reduce the environmental and infrastructure strain caused by the large numbers of day-trippers. Greece has also introduced a Climate Crisis Fee, which ranges from €1.50 to €10 per day, to fund disaster recovery and the improvement of infrastructure to deal with extreme weather events and overburdened tourist sites. Another measure includes the strict daily visitor cap at the Acropolis, with a timed entry system ensuring that no more than 20,000 visitors can enter per day. Trade.gov notes that these strategies are part of Greece’s ongoing efforts to balance the booming tourism industry with the need for preservation and sustainability. By implementing these new measures, Greece is seeking to protect its iconic sites while ensuring tourists continue to enjoy the beauty of the country in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Croatia: Digital Measures to Control Visitor Numbers

Dubrovnik, known for its UNESCO-listed city walls, has become a prime example of how technology is being used to combat overtourism. In 2026, Dubrovnik implemented a real-time digital monitor to control the number of visitors entering the Old Town. Once the town reaches a capacity of 8,000 people, entry is restricted to prevent overcrowding and to preserve the integrity of the historic area. The city has also limited the number of cruise ships allowed to dock each day to two ships, with a combined total of no more than 5,000 passengers. Furthermore, the local government has slashed tourist taxi permits by 90%, reducing congestion and the environmental impact of excessive vehicle traffic. These measures are part of Croatia’s broader efforts to limit tourism’s negative effects while still allowing visitors to experience the beauty of places like Dubrovnik. As trade.gov explains, Croatia’s use of technology and strict regulations sets a precedent for how smaller cities can manage the pressures of mass tourism while preserving their cultural heritage and local communities.

European Countries Take Bold Actions to Combat Overtourism

Several European countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, and Croatia, are taking bold actions to combat overtourism. Italy has introduced entry fees and fines in cities like Venice and Rome, while France is targeting Instagram hotspots like Montmartre with entry restrictions and price hikes. Spain is addressing the housing crisis and overcrowding through anti-tourism protests and new taxes, including a tourist tax in Catalonia and eco-taxes in the Canary Islands. Amsterdam has implemented stricter controls, such as a hotel construction ban and a cap on overnight stays, to preserve the city’s charm. Greece is combating cruise tourism’s negative impact with passenger levies and visitor caps at popular sites like the Acropolis. Croatia is using digital measures to control visitor numbers, especially in Dubrovnik, and limiting cruise ship arrivals. These countries’ strategies emphasize sustainable tourism and preservation of their cultural heritage while managing the increasing pressures from mass tourism. According to trade.gov, these efforts reflect a growing shift towards balancing tourism with local community needs and environmental sustainability.

In 2026, Italy joins France, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, and other European countries in implementing stricter overtourism measures and restrictions. These actions aim to boost tourism growth and sustainability, managing the pressures of mass tourism.

Conclusion

Italy has joined France, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, and other European countries in implementing stricter overtourism measures and restrictions to boost tourism growth and sustainability. These actions are necessary to mitigate the negative impacts of mass tourism, such as overcrowding and environmental degradation, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism without compromising their quality of life. By introducing policies like entry fees, visitor caps, and regulations on short-term rentals, these countries are working towards a more sustainable model that prioritizes responsible tourism. As trade.gov highlights, these measures reflect a significant shift towards balancing economic growth with the protection of cultural and natural resources, ensuring that iconic destinations remain accessible and enjoyable for future generations.