Italy Joins Spain, France, Greece, Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, and More Nations in Europe Cracking Down on Overtourism by Implementing New Restrictions, Bans, and Fines to Maintain Sustainability: Everything You Need to Know

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Italy has joined a growing list of nations, including Spain, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, and more, in taking decisive action to combat the negative effects of unchecked tourism. In response, these countries are implementing new restrictions, bans, and fines aimed at maintaining sustainability and preserving their cultural and environmental heritage. Italy, a country renowned for its iconic landmarks like Venice, Rome, and the Colosseum, has been at the forefront of these efforts. By introducing entry fees, visitor caps, and stricter regulations on short-term rentals, Italy is actively working to balance tourism with the well-being of local residents. These measures are not only designed to reduce overcrowding but also to ensure that tourism remains a sustainable economic driver for the long term. With European cities like Venice and Barcelona prioritizing resident quality of life, this crackdown reflects a broader, urgent need for a more sustainable approach to tourism in the region. As these nations implement these tough but necessary measures, the goal is to preserve their cultural treasures while managing the growing demand for global travel.

Italy: Combating Overtourism with Entry Fees and Visitor Caps

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Italy has taken bold steps to combat overtourism, particularly in its historic city centers. Venice, for instance, has implemented an entry fee system that charges day-trippers €5 to €10 on peak days to access the historic center. In Rome, the Colosseum has limited visitor numbers to 3,000 at any one time, while Pompeii has set a daily cap of 20,000 visitors to preserve its ancient ruins. The government has also cracked down on short-term rentals, particularly in Florence and Rome, by banning self-check-in key boxes to curb the spread of Airbnb properties. On the behavior front, Italy has imposed fines for tourists engaging in inappropriate activities, such as sitting on the Spanish Steps (fines ranging from €250–€400) or swimming in canals and fountains (€350–€2,000). Additionally, hiking the Cinque Terre trails in flip-flops can result in fines up to €2,500. These measures are designed to protect local residents’ quality of life while maintaining the delicate balance between tourism and preservation of cultural heritage.

Key Stats:

• Venice entry fee: €5–€10 for day-trippers.
• Colosseum visitor limit: 3,000 visitors at a time.
• Pompeii daily cap: 20,000 visitors.
• Fine for swimming in canals: €350–€2,000.

Spain: Alcohol and Smoking Bans, Rental Phase-Out

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Spain is taking a multi-pronged approach to manage overtourism. Barcelona has introduced a radical rental phase-out plan, aiming to reduce its 10,000 licensed short-term rentals by 2028. In the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza and Mallorca, alcohol sales are banned between 9:30 PM and 8:00 AM, and pub crawls are prohibited to combat rowdy tourism. Smoking and vaping are banned on beaches in Barcelona and parts of the Balearic and Canary Islands, with fines reaching up to €2,000. Spain is also enforcing strict dress codes, with fines up to €750 for tourists walking shirtless or in swimwear away from the beach. Group size limits for walking tours in cities like San Sebastián and Mallorca are now capped at 20–25 people. These measures aim to reduce overcrowding and promote more sustainable tourism that prioritizes the local population’s well-being.

Key Stats:

• Barcelona to phase out 10,000 short-term rentals by 2028.
• Alcohol sales banned in Balearic Islands from 9:30 PM to 8:00 AM.
• Fine for walking shirtless in city centers: €750.
• Group size limit in San Sebastián: 20–25 people.

France: Sustainable Travel and Cruise Limits

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France has introduced several measures to curb overtourism, focusing on sustainability and regulation. The Loi le Meur law allows local governments to cap the number of holiday rentals and reduce the allowed rental nights from 120 to 90 per year. In Cannes, from 2026, only cruise ships with fewer than 1,000 passengers will be allowed to dock, and daily disembarkations are capped at 6,000 passengers. Additionally, France has implemented flight bans for domestic travel on routes that can be covered by train in under 2.5 hours, encouraging more environmentally-friendly travel. Smoking in outdoor public spaces like beaches and parks will be banned nationwide by July 2025. These efforts aim to alleviate the strain on popular tourist destinations and shift the focus toward greener, more sustainable forms of tourism.

Key Stats:

• Cruise ship limit in Cannes: Fewer than 1,000 passengers.
• Domestic flight bans for routes covered by train in under 2.5 hours.
• Smoking ban in public spaces: To take effect in July 2025.

Greece: Protecting Cultural Heritage with Visitor Caps

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Greece is focusing on preserving its most vulnerable cultural and natural sites by introducing visitor caps and new regulations. At the Acropolis in Athens, daily visitors are now capped at 20,000, and tickets must be booked in advance. To control cruise tourism, Santorini and Mykonos have introduced a €20 levy for cruise passengers during the peak season. Additionally, wearing high heels is now prohibited at certain ancient sites, such as the Acropolis, to prevent damage to the stones, with fines up to €900. These measures aim to protect Greece’s rich history while managing the influx of tourists, especially during peak season.

Key Stats:

• Acropolis visitor cap: 20,000 per day.
• Santorini and Mykonos charge €20 levy for cruise passengers.
• High heels banned at ancient sites, with fines up to €900.

Netherlands: Cruise Ship Bans and Tourist Tax Increases

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The Netherlands has implemented aggressive measures to curb overtourism, particularly in Amsterdam. The city has banned large cruise ships from entering the main port to reduce congestion. Additionally, new hotel developments have been frozen to limit future tourist capacity. Amsterdam has also increased its tourist tax to 12.5% of accommodation costs, one of the highest rates in Europe. These steps aim to shift the focus toward more sustainable tourism, alleviating the pressure on local infrastructure while ensuring the preservation of the city’s character.

Key Stats:

• Amsterdam bans large cruise ships from the main port.
• Tourist tax increase: 12.5% of accommodation costs.
• Hotel development freeze to limit tourist capacity.

Croatia: Regulating Behavior and Cruise Traffic

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Croatia has focused on regulating tourist behavior and managing the heavy influx of cruise passengers. Dubrovnik has banned sleeping in public, public drunkenness, and climbing on monuments under the “Respect the City” campaign. To manage the flow of cruise tourists, Dubrovnik limits cruise ship arrivals to two per day, with a total passenger cap of 4,000 at any one time. Additionally, the city has implemented noise control measures, discouraging the use of wheeled suitcases on cobbled streets to minimize noise pollution. These measures aim to preserve the quality of life for locals while maintaining Croatia’s charm for tourists.

Key Stats:

• Dubrovnik limits cruise ships to two per day, max 4,000 passengers.
• Public drunkenness and climbing on monuments banned.
• Noise control measures in place for tourists using wheeled suitcases.

Portugal: Managing Housing and Tourist Numbers

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Portugal is addressing the impact of tourism through taxation and housing regulations. Cities like Lisbon, Faro, and Madeira have introduced a €2 per night tourist tax. The Azores followed suit in early 2025. In addition to the tourist tax, Lisbon has frozen the issuance of new short-term rental licenses in oversaturated neighborhoods to reduce the impact on local housing. Madeira also charges a €3 fee to access popular hiking trails, with the funds allocated for conservation and maintenance. These efforts aim to balance the needs of residents and tourists, ensuring that tourism is both sustainable and manageable.

Key Stats:

• €2 per night tourist tax in Lisbon, Faro, and Madeira.
• Lisbon freezes new short-term rental licenses in saturated areas.
• €3 fee for hiking trails in Madeira.

Austria: Protecting Alpine Villages and Heritage Sites

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Austria is focused on preserving its iconic alpine villages and heritage sites. In Hallstatt, a popular tourist destination, local authorities have frozen the number of tourist accommodations at 2019 levels to prevent overcrowding. The number of tourist buses and cars entering the village is also strictly controlled. In 2023, Hallstatt briefly erected a wooden fence around popular selfie spots to discourage overcrowding and preserve the area’s integrity. These measures are part of Austria’s broader efforts to maintain the natural beauty and historical value of its most visited sites.

Key Stats:

• Hallstatt limits tourist accommodations to 2019 levels.
• Tourist buses and cars restricted in Hallstatt.
• Wooden fence erected to reduce overcrowding at selfie spots.

Iceland: Sustainable Tourism and Regional Promotion

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Iceland is focusing on distributing tourists away from its busiest regions to preserve its natural beauty. The government has set up a Tourist Site Protection Fund to develop infrastructure in lesser-visited areas, encouraging visitors to explore beyond the “Golden Circle.” Iceland is also considering reinstating tourist taxes to fund environmental protection efforts, as visitor numbers continue to exceed 2 million annually. These measures aim to reduce pressure on Iceland’s most famous sites, ensuring that the country remains a sustainable and attractive destination for the long term.

Key Stats:

• Tourist Site Protection Fund to promote less-visited areas.
• Consideration of reinstating tourist taxes to fund environmental efforts.
• Iceland’s visitor numbers exceed 2 million annually.

European Tourism: Balancing Growth and Sustainability

European tourism has long been a major economic driver, attracting millions of visitors each year to its iconic cities, historic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. Countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Greece are top destinations, known for their rich cultural heritage, world-class museums, and picturesque scenery. However, the rapid growth of tourism in recent years has led to significant challenges, including overcrowding, environmental degradation, and strain on local infrastructure. As a result, many European nations are now implementing measures to manage visitor numbers more sustainably. Initiatives such as entry fees, visitor caps, and restrictions on short-term rentals aim to ensure that tourism continues to be a positive force for local economies without compromising the quality of life for residents or the preservation of cultural landmarks. As Europe adapts to these new dynamics, its tourism industry is striving to find a balance between economic growth and sustainability.

Italy has joined Spain, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, and more in cracking down on overtourism. These nations are implementing new restrictions, bans, and fines to maintain sustainability while managing increasing tourist numbers.

In conclusion, Italy’s decision to join Spain, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, and other nations in Europe marks a pivotal step in addressing overtourism. By implementing new restrictions, bans, and fines, these countries are prioritizing sustainability and ensuring that tourism remains manageable and beneficial for both locals and visitors. As global travel continues to grow, these measures are necessary to protect iconic landmarks, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance the quality of life for residents. The actions taken by these European nations serve as a model for others to follow in balancing tourism with long-term sustainability, creating a healthier relationship between visitors and the destinations they cherish.