A packed beach in Tropea, Calabria. As tourism surges, popular European destinations like Italy are introducing new rules, laws, bans and fines to control the crowds.<\/p>\n
getty<\/p>\n
Heading to Europe this summer? Think twice before lighting a cigarette on the beach or strolling shirtless down a boardwalk. With visitor numbers predicted to surge to record levels in 2025<\/a>, many destinations are cracking down. Europe travel rules\u2014and the list of things that can get you in trouble<\/a>\u2014are growing, with new bans, fines and restrictions that could cost you hundreds (if not thousands) of euros.<\/p>\n Some of the new rules are dramatic\u2014like banning music on beaches, outlawing drinking in certain public areas and limiting selfies in overtouristed villages. Some countries can even fine you for wearing flip-flops<\/a> while driving (even though it\u2019s not technically illegal).<\/p>\n It\u2019s all part of a growing movement to combat overtourism at a moment when tensions are boiling over. In April<\/a> and May<\/a>, anti-tourism protests broke out across Spain, from Madrid to Mallorca to the Canary Islands. And on June 15, activist groups will be staging massive protests<\/a> across several countries, with marches, picketing at airports, tour bus blockades and more expected.<\/p>\n So before you head off on that dream European getaway, be sure to research the rules for wherever you\u2019re going. Here\u2019s a small sampling of what you need to know, from new rules and fines to surprising ones that have quietly been on the books for years.<\/p>\n Tourists crowd La Rambla in Barcelona. Spain has introduced strict new rules this summer, from smoking bans on beaches to fines for walking around in swimwear.<\/p>\n getty Spain is leading the charge<\/a> when it comes to regulating tourist behavior\u2014and this summer, the rules are stricter than ever, especially when it comes to beaches. Dozens of coastal towns\u2014including spots in Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and on the Costa del Sol\u2014have banned smoking on beaches<\/a>, with fines up to \u20ac2,000 (about $2,260, based on the conversion on the date of publication). In some regions, you can be fined up to \u20ac250 (about $283) for reserving a sunbed<\/a> and then disappearing for hours.<\/p>\n Public urination\u2014yes, even peeing in the sea<\/a>\u2014is a punishable offense in places like Marbella and Vigo, with fines up to \u20ac750 (about $848). And be careful what you wear<\/a>: Cities such as Malaga have imposed fines for walking around in swimwear when you\u2019re not at the beach, while Barcelona enforces penalties<\/a> for wearing bikinis in public areas.<\/p>\n The rules don\u2019t stop once you leave the beach. Spanish authorities are targeting tourists behind the wheel. Driving in flip-flops isn\u2019t explicitly illegal, but police can fine you up to \u20ac200<\/a> (about $226) if they decide your footwear is unsafe.<\/p>\n And be careful about getting your party on<\/a>: In hotspots like Mallorca, Ibiza and the Canary Islands, authorities are clamping down on rowdy tourism with a host of strict new measures. Pub crawls and party boats are banned in notorious nightlife hubs, while public drunkenness can result in fines up to \u20ac3,000 (about $3,390).<\/p>\n Tourists gather at the Trevi Fountain in Rome at sunset. With overtourism on the rise, Italy is cracking down with entrance fees, dress codes and steep fines for unruly behavior.<\/p>\n getty Italy\u2019s most iconic destinations are stepping up enforcement as overtourism continues to put a strain on popular sites. Nowhere is this more evident than Venice, which began charging day trippers<\/a> a fee to enter the city, ranging from \u20ac5 (about $5.65) if booked in advance to \u20ac10 (about $11.30) for last-minute arrivals. (Visitors with hotel reservations are exempt.) Tourists caught without proof of paying the fee can be fined up to \u20ac300 (about $339). The city has also banned loudspeakers, large tour groups<\/a> and swimming in its iconic canals, which could get you a fine of \u20ac1,000 (about $1,130).<\/p>\n Other Italian towns are also cracking down on bad tourism behavior. In certain no-waiting zones in Portofino<\/a>, you can get fined up to \u20ac275 (about $300) for taking a selfie and holding up pedestrian flow. In Lake Garda<\/a>, police have fined tourists up to \u20ac700 (about $763) for jumping off cliffs and swimming in dangerous areas and even a rowdy game of football could cost you \u20ac600 (about $654).<\/p>\n Dress codes are another hot topic: In Sorrento<\/a>, walking around in swimwear beyond the beach or pool areas carries a fine of up to \u20ac500 (about $545).<\/p>\n And hotspots are limiting visitors: Pompeii is limiting visitors <\/a>to 20,000 a day in 2025. In Rome, there\u2019s a limit of 3,000 visitors<\/a> at any one time at the Colosseum, and scam artists selling tickets are being fined (be careful who you buy from).<\/p>\n A picnic along the Seine in Paris may look idyllic\u2014but drinking alcohol in many public areas is banned.<\/p>\n getty In France, authorities are increasingly asking visitors to show a little more respect. Take Paris. While having a picnic of wine and cheese in a park or along the Seine might seem tr\u00e8s romantique, drinking alcohol is banned in many public areas, so research the rules<\/a>. If you\u2019re caught, fines can reach \u20ac135 (about $153).<\/p>\n In France, the fashion police is a real thing. Several towns along the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur have banned overly revealing swimwear away<\/a> from the beach, including Cannes, where walking around shirtless or in a bikini can result in a fine of up to \u20ac38 (about $43).<\/p>\n Sunset crowds in Kastro, Oia. With visitor numbers surging, Greece is capping cruise ship arrivals and introducing new tourist fees to help ease overtourism on islands like Santorini.<\/p>\n getty Greece is getting serious about protecting its cultural landmarks and natural beauty. Starting this summer, cruise passengers<\/a> disembarking at Santorini or Mykonos between June and September will face a \u20ac20 (about $23) per-person fee. The islands are also limiting cruise arrivals\u2014Santorini now caps daily cruise visitors at 8,000 to ease overtourism.<\/p>\n Greece has also implemented beach preservation rules<\/a>, requiring 70% of public beaches to remain free of sunbeds. Drones are used to monitor compliance. And forget about bringing home a souvenir from nature: In many areas of the country, collecting seashells or pebbles from beaches is illegal, with fines up to \u20ac1,000 (about $1,130).<\/p>\n There are land-based rules, too. Wearing high heels at archaeological sites<\/a> is prohibited, with fines of up to \u20ac900 (about $1,017) to prevent damage to fragile ancient surfaces. The Acropolis now has a cap of 20,000 visitors per day, with timed-entry tickets to reduce crowding.<\/p>\n Tourists crowd Dubrovnik\u2019s Old Town, a UNESCO site long impacted by overtourism. Croatia has introduced cruise ship caps, cut taxi numbers and imposed fines to help restore calm.<\/p>\n getty Croatia is cracking down on unruly behavior and crowd control, especially in its most popular summer hot spots. In Split<\/a>, walking around the historic city center in swimwear\u2014or worse, underwear\u2014is strictly forbidden, with fines up to \u20ac150 (about $170). The rules are even tougher in nearby Hvar<\/a>: There are new quiet hours, and visitors can be fined \u20ac600 (about $678) on the spot for drinking in public<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the mayor of Dubrovnik<\/a>\u2014one of the most overtouristed locations in Europe\u2013is pushing back in a big way. Only two cruise ships are allowed to dock in the city per day, souvenir stands have been shut down, cafe chairs have been reduced, taxi service has been curtailed and more. The goal? A calmer, more livable city\u2014for locals and tourists alike.<\/p>\n A busy beach day in Albufeira, Portugal. As tourist numbers soar, coastal towns like this are enforcing stricter rules\u2014banning public drinking, limiting noise and imposing fines for walking around in swimwear.<\/p>\n getty Portugal is cracking down on unruly behavior, especially in coastal hotspots like Albufeira<\/a>, where tourists can be fined a staggering \u20ac1,500 (about $1,695) for walking around town in swimwear\u2014and even higher penalties for public nudity. The rules also target street drinking, urination and spitting.<\/p>\n Noise is also under fire in Portugal: High-volume speakers<\/a> are now banned on many beaches, with fines up to an eye-watering \u20ac36,000 (about $40,680). Some areas are shortening bar hours to curb late-night chaos. And in Sintra, protests by locals<\/a> have officials considering limits on hotel development to preserve the town\u2019s historic charm.<\/p>\n A crowded scene on the IJ River in Amsterdam. As overtourism spikes, the Netherlands is introducing stricter rules for boat parties, group tours and cannabis use to protect the city\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n getty Amsterdam is cracking down on tourism in a big way<\/a>. The city\u2019s \u201cStay Away\u201d campaign targets partygoers with ads warning them not to come. Smoking cannabis on the street in the Red Light District is now banned, bars close earlier, and group tours face stricter limits. Boat parties have new rules around noise and alcohol. New hotel development is being banned<\/a>. Locals are even suing TikTok famous shops that are attracting overtourism. The message is clear: respect the city\u2014or stay home.<\/p>\n Tourists crowd the lakeside streets of Hallstatt, Austria\u2014a fairytale village grappling with overtourism. The town temporarily installed a \u201cselfie fence\u201d to reduce congestion at popular viewpoints.<\/p>\n getty Austria is cracking down on overtourism with rules that target both selfies and short-term rentals. In the mountain town of Hallstatt<\/a>\u2014said to have inspired Disney\u2019s Frozen\u2014a temporary \u201canti-selfie\u201d fence was installed to block crowds from overwhelming the town\u2019s famous lake views. And here\u2019s a lesser-known rule<\/a>: Leave that dashcam at home. They are largely banned in Austria due to privacy laws, and using one can lead to fines as high as \u20ac25,000 (about $28,250).<\/p>\n Rave the Planet, Berlin\u2019s famous techno parade, draws massive crowds each summer. But with noise complaints on the rise, authorities are enforcing stricter rules to curb rowdy tourist behavior.<\/p>\n getty In Germany, bad behavior behind the wheel can cost you\u2014literally. Shouting insults or making rude gestures while driving (even at other drivers or the police) is considered \u201croad rage\u201d<\/a> and can result in fines up to \u20ac4,000 (about $4,520). The country has also cracked down<\/a> on rowdy tourist behavior in cities like Berlin, where noise ordinances and public drinking bans are increasingly enforced in neighborhoods fed up with party tourism. And be careful about jaywalking: It\u2019s illegal.<\/p>\n Crowds of tourists cross Prague\u2019s iconic Charles Bridge. As visitor numbers surge, the city is cracking down on pub crawls, beer bikes, and late-night partying to preserve its historic core.<\/p>\n getty Prague is trying to shed its party capital image<\/a>. The city has banned beer bikes, limited noise in historic areas and cracked down on public drinking, pub crawls and rowdy bachelor and bachelorette parties. Bars even face fines if they serve already-intoxicated tourists.<\/p>\n A coastal road in Cyprus overlooking the sea. Local authorities are enforcing little-known driving rules\u2014like banning eating or drinking (even water) behind the wheel\u2014with fines for violations.<\/p>\n getty Thinking of sipping a bottle of water while driving in Cyprus?<\/a> Don\u2019t. Eating or drinking anything behind the wheel\u2014including water\u2014is against the law and could get you fined \u20ac85 (about $96). It\u2019s considered a distraction, and local police enforce it.<\/p>\n Off-road driving is banned in Iceland to protect its fragile environment. Violators face steep fines.<\/p>\n getty Iceland has had enough of tourists trampling its fragile landscapes. Off-road driving<\/a> is strictly banned and can result in fines up to ISK 500,000 (about $3,600). Disrespect the rules, and you\u2019ll pay\u2014literally and environmentally.<\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s picture-perfect landscapes come with strict protections. Littering and noise violations can result in on-the-spot fines to help preserve the peace.<\/p>\n getty Switzerland is picture-perfect, and there\u2019s a reason why. The country has strict rules<\/a> to preserve its pristine environment. Littering can result in on-the-spot fines, and being too loud late at night or leaving behind trash in public areas can earn you hefty penalties. In Zermatt, the town is car-free<\/a>, and gasoline vehicles are prohibited to reduce pollution; electric taxis are the norm. And remember: Wherever you\u2019re headed, make sure you\u2019re up to speed on the latest Europe travel rules\u2014or risk paying the price.<\/p>\n \nMORE FROM FORBESForbesMove To Europe: 8 Secret Towns Where You Can Live Well (For Less)By Laura Begley Bloom<\/a>ForbesAn Insider\u2019s Guide To One Of The Most Famous Neighborhoods In ParisBy Laura Begley Bloom<\/a>ForbesThe 14 Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship In 2025, According To A New ReportBy Laura Begley Bloom<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A packed beach in Tropea, Calabria. 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\nSpain<\/p>\n
\nItaly<\/p>\n
\nFrance<\/p>\n
\nGreece<\/p>\n
\nCroatia<\/p>\n
\nPortugal<\/p>\n
\nNetherlands<\/p>\n
\nAustria<\/p>\n
\nGermany<\/p>\n
\nCzechia<\/p>\n
\nCyprus<\/p>\n
\nIceland<\/p>\n
\nSwitzerland<\/p>\n