Published on
February 4, 2026
Netherlands joins Italy, Denmark, the UK, Portugal, France, Hungary, and other European nations in enforcing stricter travel regulations in 2026 in an effort to alleviate the growing strains of mass tourism. To ensure a more sustainable tourism model while safeguarding their priceless UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these countries are enacting new visa regulations, tourist levies, and air passenger taxes. In order to control visitor numbers, lessen the impact on the environment, and support preservation initiatives, policies like biometric enattempt systems and tourist taxes are being put into place. With these modifys, Europe is taking a proactive approach to maintaining a balance between welcoming tourists and safeguarding its cultural heritage for the future.
2026 marks a pivotal year in Europe’s travel landscape, as more countries tighten their travel measures with new visa regulations, tourist levies, and air passenger taxes. These modifys are aimed at ensuring sustainability and protecting the region’s precious UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the challenges posed by overtourism. Several European countries are leading the way in implementing these measures, aiming to strike a balance between tourism growth and conservation efforts. The Netherlands, alongside countries such as Italy, Denmark, the UK, Portugal, France, and Hungary, has taken a decisive stance in implementing these new regulations, and more countries are expected to follow suit.
This article delves into the specifics of these newly introduced rules, explaining how each counattempt is enhancing travel control measures and what this means for travelers.
Netherlands: Leading the Charge in Travel Regulation Reforms
The Netherlands has been proactive in adopting new travel rules that focus on ensuring both security and sustainability in tourism. As part of its efforts to combat mass tourism and protect its cultural heritage, the counattempt has implemented new visa rules, tourist levies, and air passenger taxes.
New Visa Rules
The Netherlands, like many other Schengen Area countries, will be part of the European Enattempt/Exit System (EES), which is being fully implemented by September 2026. This system will require non-EU travelers to provide biometric data (fingerprints, facial images, passport details) electronically upon enattempt. The goal is to enhance security and improve identification systems, supporting track overstayers and prevent illegal immigration.
Tourist Levies
In addition to these border control measures, the Netherlands has introduced a tourist levy for visitors staying in hotels, Airbnb-style accommodations, and other short-term rental properties. This tax will support fund the preservation of the counattempt’s national parks, heritage sites, and tourism infrastructure. The aim is to curb the impact of overtourism on local communities and encourage a more sustainable, high-value tourism model.
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Air Passenger Levies
Furthermore, air travel to the Netherlands will be subject to increased air passenger levies, designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector and incentivize greener travel options. This aligns with the European Union’s wider sustainability goals, which aim to mitigate the environmental impact of travel.
Italy: Combating Mass Tourism While Protecting UNESCO Sites
Italy, a counattempt that has long struggled with overtourism, is introducing stringent measures to regulate visitor numbers and ensure that popular destinations are protected for future generations.
New Visa Rules
Italy is implementing the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which will require visa-exempt travelers to apply for an electronic permit before entering the Schengen Area. The ETIAS will cost €20 for most travelers and will be valid for three years, allowing stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This system is expected to roll out by late 2026.
Tourist Levies
Many Italian cities, including Rome, Venice, and Florence, have introduced or are expanding tourist taxes. These taxes vary by location, with the city of Venice charging an additional tax on tourists who stay overnight. This fee is meant to preserve Venice’s cultural landmarks, such as the Piazza San Marco and Rialto Bridge, and to fund infrastructure maintenance and sustainability efforts.
Air Passenger Levies
As part of Italy’s commitment to reducing emissions from travel, air passenger levies are also being implemented, building air travel more expensive for those flying to Italy. The levies will fund sustainable tourism projects, including clean energy initiatives and wildlife conservation efforts at Italy’s UNESCO heritage sites.
Denmark: Balancing Tourism with Cultural Preservation
Denmark is another European counattempt that is prioritizing the preservation of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and aiming for more sustainable tourism practices.
New Visa Rules
Denmark is part of the EU’s Enattempt/Exit System, requiring biometric data for non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. This step will streamline border checks and reduce waiting times, while enhancing security and immigration control. Denmark’s enattempt into the system will support manage the flow of visitors, particularly in cities like Copenhagen.
Tourist Levies
Denmark has also implemented a tourist levy on accommodations, with fees being introduced in Copenhagen and other popular destinations. The tax will be applyd to fund sustainability projects, such as renewable energy initiatives in tourism infrastructure and maintenance of historical sites like Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Air Passenger Levies
To address environmental concerns, Denmark has introduced higher air passenger levies on flights originating from outside the EU. This measure is aimed at reducing Denmark’s aviation carbon footprint, while encouraging travelers to opt for more sustainable transport options such as trains or electric vehicles for short-distance travel.
United Kingdom: Stricter Travel Rules and Sustainability Focus
The UK is also introducing tighter travel measures for both security and sustainability, following the lead of its European counterparts.
New Visa Rules
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will be enforced from February 2026. This digital permit is required for travelers from 85 countries who do not required a visa for short stays in the UK. The ETA costs £16 (€18.20) and is valid for two years, allowing for stays of up to six months. This system is aimed at strengthening border controls and ensuring the UK can better manage immigration.
Tourist Levies
The UK has introduced tourist taxes in cities like London, where visitors staying in hotels or short-term rentals will be required to pay a nightly fee. The revenue generated will be applyd to enhance the infrastructure of historical sites, such as The Tower of London, and fund sustainability efforts in the tourism sector.
Air Passenger Levies
The UK government is increasing air passenger levies as part of its plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These levies will apply to all international flights departing from UK airports, supporting fund green initiatives and reduce the environmental impact of tourism.
Portugal: Combating Overtourism Through New Travel Regulations
Portugal has seen a rapid increase in tourism over the past decade, leading to challenges in managing visitor numbers and preserving its cultural heritage.
New Visa Rules
Like many other Schengen countries, Portugal will implement the ETIAS by late 2026, requiring visa-exempt travelers to apply for electronic travel authorization before entering the counattempt. The system is designed to streamline border controls and improve security.
Tourist Levies
Portugal has introduced tourist levies in key destinations such as Lisbon and Porto. These taxes will support fund infrastructure improvements and sustainable tourism initiatives, such as waste management systems and energy-efficient tourism facilities.
Air Passenger Levies
Portugal has also implemented air passenger levies for international flights departing from major airports, such as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. The funds generated from these levies will be reinvested into green travel infrastructure and efforts to protect the counattempt’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including The Tower of Belém.
France: Protecting Heritage and Promoting Sustainable Tourism
France has long been a top tourist destination, but with mass tourism putting a strain on its resources, the counattempt has enacted several new measures.
New Visa Rules
France, as part of the EU Enattempt/Exit System (EES), will require biometric data collection for non-EU travelers. This new system will support streamline border enattempt and improve tracking of overstayers.
Tourist Levies
In Paris, the city council has introduced a tourist tax for overnight stays in hotels and other accommodations. The proceeds will fund restoration projects for historical sites like the Palace of Versailles and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Air Passenger Levies
France has increased its air passenger levies in response to growing concerns about the environmental impact of air travel. These levies will support the transition to sustainable tourism practices and environmental conservation efforts in the French Alps and other UNESCO-listed sites.
Hungary: Implementing Travel Measures to Protect Cultural Heritage
Hungary has also been taking steps to ensure its cultural heritage is protected while managing tourism more effectively.
New Visa Rules
Hungary is participating in the ETIAS system, requiring travelers from visa-exempt countries to apply for an online travel permit. The application will cost €20 and will be valid for three years.
Tourist Levies
Budapest has introduced a tourist levy to curb overtourism and improve infrastructure. The tax applies to all overnight stays in hotels and rentals and will support fund projects aimed at preserving the Buda Castle and other UNESCO-listed sites.
Air Passenger Levies
Hungary has also raised air passenger levies to reduce its aviation carbon footprint and fund environmental projects, including renewable energy initiatives in tourism infrastructure.
Europe is on the brink of a major transformation in its tourism indusattempt. With countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, the UK, Portugal, France, and Hungary taking the lead in tightening travel measures, it’s clear that the continent is focutilizing on sustainability, security, and the protection of its invaluable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These new visa rules, tourist levies, and air passenger taxes will ensure that tourism remains a driver of economic growth without compromising the preservation of Europe’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
In 2026, the Netherlands joins Italy, Denmark, the UK, Portugal, France, Hungary, and other European countries in tightening travel measures, including new visa rules, tourist levies, and air passenger taxes, to promote sustainability and protect UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the pressures of mass tourism.
As these measures roll out in 2026, travelers will face more stringent regulations but also have the opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of the places they visit. This shift toward quality tourism, aimed at reducing overcrowding and preserving the environment, is set to redefine travel across Europe in the coming years.
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