The continent is still welcoming, but the rules have changed.
The post-pandemic travel boom has been a mixed blessing for Europe’s most beloved cities. While the return of tourists has been a welcome economic boost, the sheer volume of visitors has led to a major backlash from residents and city governments. In response, a wave of new rules, fees, and restrictions aimed at controlling the crowds and curbing bad behavior is being implemented across the continent in 2025.
For American travelers planning a trip, it’s crucial to be aware of these new regulations, as ignorance of the rules will not be an excuse to avoid a hefty fine.
1. Venice’s new entry fee is now in effect for day-trippers.
In one of the most significant moves to combat overtourism, Venice has implemented a daily entry fee for day-trippers visiting the city. On peak days, any visitor not staying overnight in a hotel must pre-register online and pay a fee, currently around 5 euros, to receive a QR code that grants them access to the historic center, as reported by Forbes. The goal is to encourage longer stays and to manage the overwhelming crush of day-trippers.
This is a major change for a city that has long been open to all. The new system is being enforced with spot checks, and visitors without a valid QR code face hefty fines, so planning ahead is now essential.
2. Amsterdam has banned cruise ships from the city center.
The city of Amsterdam has taken the drastic step of banning large cruise ships from docking at its main terminal near the central station. City leaders argued that the massive ships were a major source of overcrowding and pollution and were not compatible with their vision for a more sustainable and livable city. This move is part of a broader campaign to scale back mass tourism, particularly the kind that doesn’t contribute much to the local economy.
This means that cruise passengers will now have to dock at ports further outside the city and be bussed in, which will likely reduce their numbers, as mentioned by AInvest. It’s a clear signal that Amsterdam is prioritizing its residents over the lucrative cruise industry.
3. Florence has banned new short-term rentals in its historic center.
Following the lead of other major European cities, Florence has enacted a complete ban on any new short-term vacation rentals, such as those on Airbnb, within its UNESCO-listed historic city center. The move is a direct response to the housing crisis that has seen the number of tourist rentals explode while the number of long-term residents has plummeted, turning the center into a “tourist monoculture.”
The goal is to stop the “disneyfication” of the city center and to encourage the conversion of tourist apartments back into housing for Florentines. For travelers, this means that accommodation options in the very heart of the city are becoming more limited and likely more expensive, as stated by Times Now.
4. Rome is strictly enforcing its “decorum” rules.
Rome has had enough of tourists treating its historic monuments like a playground. The city is now strictly enforcing a set of “decorum” rules with on-the-spot fines that can be hundreds of euros. This includes a ban on sitting on the famous Spanish Steps, eating or drinking near historic fountains, and wading into the Trevi Fountain, which can now result in a fine and a temporary ban from the area.
Police are actively patrolling these sites, and they are not lenient with violators. The rules are part of a broader effort to protect the city’s priceless heritage from the wear and tear of mass tourism. It’s a reminder that the city is a living museum, not a theme park.
5. The ETIAS visa waiver system is now required for Americans.
One of the biggest changes for U.S. travelers in 2025 is the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is not a formal visa, but it is a mandatory electronic travel authorization that all American citizens must apply for online before traveling to most European countries in the Schengen Area. It is a new security requirement that many travelers may not be aware of.
While the application is simple and the fee is small, it must be done in advance. Showing up at the airport without a pre-approved ETIAS authorization will result in being denied boarding, a shocking surprise for anyone who is not up to date on the new rules.
6. Paris has permanently banned rental e-scooters.
The streets of Paris were once flooded with thousands of rental electric scooters, but those days are over. Following a public referendum where Parisians voted overwhelmingly to ban them, the city has completely removed the fleets of shared e-scooters. The city cited the high number of accidents and the public nuisance of scooters being left cluttered on the sidewalks as the reason for the ban.
For tourists who were used to zipping around the city on a rental scooter, this is a major change. They will now have to rely on the city’s public transportation system, its bike-share program, or simply walking to get around.
7. The Amalfi Coast is restricting car access.
The single, narrow road that winds along Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast is a scene of legendary traffic jams during the summer. To combat this gridlock, the region has implemented a new alternating license plate system for rental cars during peak season. On odd-numbered days, only cars with license plates ending in an odd number can access the road, and on even-numbered days, only those with even numbers can.
This rule is designed to cut the tourist traffic in half. For visitors hoping to explore the coast by car, this new regulation requires careful planning and makes using public ferries and buses a much more attractive and necessary alternative.
8. Athens has implemented a strict time-slot system for the Acropolis.
To manage the overwhelming crowds that swarm the Acropolis every day, the Greek government has implemented a mandatory time-slot and ticketing system. Visitors must now book their ticket in advance for a specific one-hour entry window. The number of visitors allowed in per hour is capped to reduce congestion and to protect the ancient monument from the damage caused by foot traffic.
The days of simply showing up and buying a ticket to the Parthenon are over. This new rule requires advance planning, especially during the peak summer season when the time slots can sell out days or even weeks in advance. It’s a necessary step to preserve one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.