Published on
August 11, 2025 |
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France are introducing hefty fines for unruly tourists to bring ethics and sustainability concern, and the move is making headlines across Europe. Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France are no strangers to the pressures of mass tourism, but this year, they are taking bold action. By introducing hefty fines, these countries hope to guide visitor behaviour towards greater ethics and sustainability concern. The idea is clear: respect the destination, respect the people, and protect the environment.
In Croatia, wearing swimwear away from the beach can now mean a heavy fine. Spain is clamping down on public drinking, while Portugal is penalising tourists who stroll through resorts in bikinis or trunks. Italy is enforcing footwear rules on hiking trails and banning swimming in Venice’s canals. France is cracking down on smoking in public beaches and parks. Together, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France are sending a strong message that tourism must evolve.
These hefty fines for unruly tourists are not just about discipline. They are about protecting communities, preserving heritage, and addressing the sustainability concern at the heart of Europe’s tourism model. Will these steps solve the problem right now? That remains to be seen. But authorities believe that with firm action, change is possible. Responsible travel is no longer optional—it is essential.
In 2025, travel rules for tourists have changed in many parts of the world. Europe is introducing strict new fines for bad behaviour in popular holiday spots. The United States is adding financial bonds for some visitors. Canada, too, has new rules for longer stays in the US. These measures aim to manage crowds, protect local communities, and make sure visitors respect the law. But the way each region is enforcing these rules is very different. This report explains what the new rules are, how they work, and what they mean for travellers.
In 2025, travelling has become more about awareness and responsibility than ever before. Many European countries have brought in new tourist fines to manage behaviour, protect local life, and save natural and cultural heritage. These rules range from bans on certain clothing to fees for entering historic sites. At the same time, the United States and Canada are taking a different path, focusing on pre-travel controls and long-stay rules. This report explains the new rules country by country in Europe, and then compares them with what is happening in the US and Canada.
France – Smoking and Swimwear Bans
France is known for its beaches, cafes, and fashion. But from July 2025, smoking in public outdoor spaces like beaches, parks, and near schools is banned. Tourists breaking this rule can face fines of €114.
In towns like Les Sables d’Olonne, wearing swimwear in shops, restaurants, or public streets is also banned. The fine is up to €150. In Paris and Cannes, drinking alcohol in public or wearing beachwear outside the beach can bring fines of up to €135. These measures are aimed at keeping public spaces clean, family-friendly, and respectful of local culture.
France has taken aim at smoking in public places. From July 2025, lighting up on beaches, in parks, or near playgrounds can result in an on-the-spot fine of €90–€135. The new rules are part of a nationwide push to create cleaner, healthier public areas for both locals and tourists.
Netherlands – Targeting Red-Light District Disorder
Amsterdam has been working to manage tourism’s impact on its famous Red Light District. Since 2023, smoking cannabis on the street in De Wallen has been banned, with a €100 fine for offenders. In 2025, enforcement continued, alongside restrictions on alcohol consumption and rowdy party tours in the narrow streets.
Spain – Public Drinking and Behaviour Rules
Spain’s coastal cities and islands are famous for nightlife and beaches, but rules are tightening. Public drinking is banned in many areas including Mallorca, Ibiza, Magaluf, and parts of the Canary Islands. Fines can reach €3,000 in some tourist zones.
Wearing swimwear away from the beach is also punished, with some local fines reaching hundreds of euros. These measures are linked to protests by residents against overcrowding and the negative effects of mass tourism.
Spain’s Balearic Islands and Canary Islands have long battled the downsides of party tourism. In June 2025, Palma de Mallorca issued its first fines to tourists for buying goods from illegal street sellers. This was part of a larger crackdown on unlicensed vendors in tourist hotspots.
Across Magaluf, San Antonio in Ibiza, and parts of the Canaries, public drinking fines can reach €3,000. These penalties target street parties and alcohol-fuelled disturbances. In Tenerife, a tourist was hit with a record-breaking €200,000 fine after flying a drone over a religious procession. Authorities traced the drone to the visitor’s hotel and seized the device for breaching strict aviation safety laws.
Greece – Protecting Beaches and Culture
In Greece, driving while wearing swimwear or going barefoot can bring fines. In tourist spots like Santorini and Mykonos, removing shells or pebbles from beaches can lead to a €1,000 penalty. This protects the natural environment and ensures beaches remain beautiful for everyone.
Public drinking bans apply in certain areas, and local councils enforce strict behaviour rules near cultural and historical sites.
Croatia – Respect the City
Croatia’s popular coastal towns like Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik have introduced strict fines. Driving or walking through town in swimwear can cost between €150–€600. Dubrovnik’s “Respect the City” rules also ban eating or drinking near historic monuments.
These measures aim to keep heritage areas clean and preserve their character.
Croatia’s picturesque coastlines and historic towns attract millions, but the country has faced its own tourist challenges. In April 2025, Dubrovnik Airport experienced a drone near-miss. A drone came within 200 metres of a passenger aircraft on final approach, forcing the airport to close temporarily and divert two flights. Authorities warned that such actions could result in fines up to €20,000.
In Split and Hvar, local regulations ban walking in swimwear away from beaches and public intoxication. Fines range from €150 to €700. Municipal officials have also introduced “quiet hours” to reduce late-night disturbances in residential areas.
Austria – Technology Restrictions
Austria’s main tourist fine in 2025 is not about clothing or drinking, but about technology. The use of dashboard cameras in cars is banned. Breaking this rule can lead to a huge fine of up to €25,000. This law is based on privacy rules and data protection concerns.
Italy – Protecting Landmarks and Managing Crowds
Italy has tightened its tourist rules in cities like Venice and Rome. Sitting on the Spanish Steps in Rome can bring a fine of around US $448. Venice now charges day visitors between €5–€10 to enter on busy days, depending on booking time.
There are also restrictions on eating near landmarks and bans on swimming in Venice’s canals. These rules are designed to manage crowds and protect fragile heritage.
Italy’s cities and heritage sites are prime tourist draws, but they are also prime targets for careless or disrespectful behaviour. In March 2025, a young visitor from New Zealand jumped into Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Police detained him, and fines were issued under public-decorum laws. The city made it clear: historic fountains are not swimming pools.
In May, an American tourist attempted to climb a fence near the Colosseum at night, injuring himself in the fall. Police reminded visitors that such stunts can lead to criminal charges. Later that same month, a German visitor was stopped in Rome after loading a 30-kilogram marble relic onto a rental scooter. Authorities seized the object and cited heritage-protection laws.
Venice has expanded its day-tripper access fee to 54 peak days a year. Visitors who skip payment face spot checks and fines. Swimming in canals still carries a €350 penalty, while walking around in swimwear or littering also brings hefty charges. On Lake Garda, cliff-jumping and disorderly beach behaviour have led to fines of up to €700.
Portugal – Tourist Tax
Portugal has introduced a €2 per person nightly tourist tax in cities like Lisbon, Madeira, Faro, and the Azores. The money collected goes towards maintaining public services and infrastructure in popular tourist areas.
While the fee may seem small, it is part of a wider strategy to balance tourism income with the costs of hosting large numbers of visitors.
In Albufeira, one of Portugal’s busiest seaside resorts, an infamous incident in 2024 saw eight British tourists filmed dancing naked on a bar in broad daylight. That moment became a turning point. By summer 2025, a strict code of conduct was in place.
The new rules ban public nudity, urinating in public, and wearing swimwear away from the beach. The fine for walking through streets or entering shops in bikinis or trunks can reach €1,500. Local police patrol nightlife areas, and visitors are being ticketed for breaking the rules.
Czechia – Prague’s Noise and Party Crackdown
Prague has brought in bans on beer bikes, noisy party tours, and certain types of entertainment in historic areas. These rules protect residents from constant late-night noise and ensure the city’s cultural charm is not damaged.
European Tourist Fines in 2025CountryMain New RulesExample Fine AmountsFranceSmoking ban in public outdoor spaces, swimwear rules€114–€150SpainPublic drinking ban, beachwear restrictionsUp to €3,000GreeceDriving in swimwear, beach item removal€1,000CroatiaSwimwear fines, eating/drinking bans near monuments€150–€600AustriaDashboard camera ban€25,000ItalyLandmark protection, entry fees for Venice€5–€10, up to $448PortugalNightly tourist tax€2 per nightCzechiaBeer bike and noisy party bansPenalties applyThe United States – Visa Bond System
The US approach in 2025 is very different from Europe. Instead of focusing on behaviour after arrival, it is targeting entry conditions. From 20 August 2025, a pilot program allows consular officers to ask certain tourist or business visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of between $5,000 and $15,000.
The rule mainly applies to visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates. The money is returned if the traveller leaves the US on time. This measure aims to improve compliance with visa rules and reduce illegal overstays
Europe – A Crackdown on Tourist Misbehaviour
Across Europe, tourist-heavy cities and resorts are cracking down on public behaviour. The new rules include fines for wearing swimwear away from the beach, drinking alcohol in public, and even walking barefoot or in flip-flops while driving.
In Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and France, driving without proper shoes can cost you up to €300. In places like Barcelona, Cannes, Split, and Venice, walking through the streets in swimwear can lead to fines as high as €1,500. Public drinking in areas like Mallorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands is now punished with penalties of up to €3,000.
Some rules target the protection of nature. In Greece, taking shells or pebbles from the beach can mean a fine of €1,000. Venice has banned swimming in its canals with a €350 penalty. Even unbuckling your seatbelt before the plane stops moving can cost €62 in some countries.
Country-Specific Examples in Europe
France is enforcing stricter dress codes in towns like Les Sables d’Olonne, where wearing swimwear in shops or restaurants can cost €150. France has also banned smoking in public spaces like parks and beaches, with fines of up to €135.
Portugal has introduced a €2 per person nightly tourist tax in Lisbon, Madeira, Faro, and the Azores. Greece requires 70 % of some beaches to be kept free of sunbeds, ensuring space for public use.
Croatia’s coastal towns, including Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, are targeting public drinking, eating near monuments, and rowdy party behaviour. In Austria, using dashboard cameras is banned with penalties up to €25,000. Cyprus fines drivers €85 for eating or drinking at the wheel.
Prague has banned beer bikes and street parties that disturb residents. These fines are part of wider “respect the city” campaigns aimed at reducing the impact of mass tourism.
Airline Measures – Beyond Border Controls
Some airlines are adding their own penalties to the list. In June 2025, Ryanair announced a €500 fine for any passenger removed from a flight due to disruptive behaviour. This is separate from any legal fines a country might impose, meaning travellers could face penalties from both authorities and the airline.
Why Authorities Are Taking Action Now
The surge in fines and enforcement reflects a growing concern over overtourism. Popular destinations are struggling with noise, litter, overcrowding, and behaviour that damages local life. Viral incidents—like fountain swims, naked bar dances, or drone breaches—spark public outrage and political pressure to act.
Officials say these measures are not meant to scare off visitors. Instead, they aim to protect communities and encourage respectful tourism. The hope is that clear rules, combined with strict enforcement, will change behaviour over time.
Impact of Europe’s Rules on Tourism
These fines aim to change tourist behaviour. The goal is to make visitors more respectful towards local customs and the environment. For travellers, it means being more aware of local rules before arriving. It also means that what may be normal on holiday, like wearing a swimsuit in public streets, could cost a lot of money.
For the tourism industry, the hope is that better behaviour will lead to happier residents, cleaner streets, and more sustainable tourism. However, some fear that too many restrictions may discourage casual travellers.
The United States – Financial Bonds Instead of Fines
In contrast to Europe’s on-the-ground fines, the US is targeting visitors before they even arrive. Starting August 2025, a new pilot program allows US consular officers to require tourist or business visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000.
This bond applies mainly to visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays. It is designed to make sure travellers leave on time. Around 2,000 people are expected to be affected during the first year of the program. If a traveller follows their visa terms, the money is returned. If not, they lose the bond.
Unlike Europe’s fines, which focus on behaviour during a trip, the US system focuses on ensuring compliance with immigration rules from the start. This could deter visitors who do not want to tie up large amounts of money just to enter the country.
Canada – New Rules for Extended US Visits
Canada is not introducing new tourist fines, but Canadian citizens now face new obligations when visiting the US for more than 30 days.
From April 2025, Canadians without an I-94 visa who plan to stay longer than 30 days must register, complete biometric data collection, and carry proof of alien registration. Failing to comply can lead to fines of up to $5,000 or even jail time.
Additionally, the US will introduce a $250 “visa integrity fee” for some travellers, including Canadians. These rules do not affect short-term trips but do add more paperwork and costs for extended stays.
Comparative Analysis – Europe vs US and Canada
The biggest difference between Europe and the US/Canada is the focus of enforcement.
Europe is tackling tourist behaviour after arrival. The fines target actions that harm the environment, disturb locals, or damage the cultural atmosphere. The message is clear: once you are in the country, you must follow the local rules or face high penalties.United States is focusing on compliance before and during entry. By demanding financial bonds, it creates a system where travellers must prove they will obey visa rules. This approach reduces the need for in-country enforcement but can discourage visitors who feel the system is too costly or bureaucratic.Canada’s changes are tied to US entry rules. For Canadians visiting the US, the main difference is the added registration and potential fines for non-compliance. Canada itself is not imposing large tourist fines like Europe.Potential Impact on Travel Decisions
In Europe, the new fines could lead tourists to be more cautious. For destinations struggling with overcrowding and poor tourist behaviour, these fines may improve the experience for locals and respectful visitors. However, tourists who are unaware of the rules could face unpleasant surprises.
In the US, the bond system may cause a drop in visitors from certain countries, especially where $15,000 is a significant amount of money. This could affect tourism revenue in some cities but may improve visa compliance rates.
For Canada, the changes could make longer stays in the US less appealing for Canadians who find the process inconvenient or expensive.
Lessons for Travellers
For anyone planning a trip, these new measures highlight the importance of research before travelling. Knowing the local laws in Europe can save you from expensive fines. In the US, understanding visa requirements and any possible bonds is essential. For Canadians, being aware of new US entry obligations is now a key part of travel planning.
Travellers should not assume that rules are the same across countries. What is acceptable in one destination may be illegal in another. In 2025, a small mistake could lead to a big penalty.
The year 2025 is seeing major changes in how different parts of the world manage tourism. Europe is introducing high on-the-spot fines to control behaviour and protect communities. The US is using financial bonds to enforce visa compliance before travellers arrive. Canada’s changes relate to US entry rules for longer visits.
These differences show that tourism management is not one-size-fits-all. In Europe, the focus is on protecting daily life and heritage from tourist impact. In the US, it is on immigration control and compliance. For travellers, the message is the same everywhere: follow the rules, respect the destination, and plan ahead to avoid costly mistakes.
