Not so long ago, travelling around Europe required just three things: a passport, a ticket, and the optimistic mindset of “we’ll figure it out on the spot”.
In 2026, that approach is no longer enough.
European tourism is entering a new phase. More digital controls, more rules, more taxes – and noticeably less spontaneity. This guide brings together all the key changes: from borders and entry systems to rising costs, tourist taxes, and new behavioural rules.
If you’re planning to travel around Europe in 2026, this overview will help you prepare properly and avoid unpleasant surprises.
In short: what every traveller should know about Europe in 2026
No time to read everything? Here’s the essentials:
- Schengen borders are introducing digital border control (EES) – passport stamps are replaced by biometric checks. Queues are possible at the beginning.
- ETIAS has been postponed again – the electronic travel authorisation for visa-free travellers will not launch before late 2026.
- The UK introduces mandatory ETA from February 2026 – online application, £16 fee, valid for 2 years.
- Travelling is getting more expensive – tourist taxes are increasing and budget accommodation is shrinking due to Airbnb restrictions.
- Europe is actively fighting overtourism – fewer crowds, more rules and more fees.
- Winter resorts are hit hardest – ski pass prices in the Alps have increased by up to 40% compared to 2021.
- Bad behaviour now comes with fines – from smoking on beaches to incidents on planes.
- Air passenger rights remain unchanged for now – discussions continue, decisions don’t.
Bottom line: Europe in 2026 is still a great travel destination, but it now requires more preparation, a slightly bigger budget, and more respect for local rules.
Now let’s break everything down calmly and step by step.
EU borders: passports fade away, biometrics take over
EES: goodbye passport stamps
In October 2025, the EU began rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES). By April 2026, it is expected to be fully operational.
What does this mean in practice?
If you’re not an EU citizen, entering the Schengen Area will involve:
- electronic registration of passport data
- fingerprint collection
- facial photograph
Passport stamps are officially becoming a thing of the past – all entry and exit data will be stored digitally in EU databases.
The official goal sounds both noble and slightly unsettling:
to identify overstayers, strengthen security, and improve migration control.
Will there be queues?
Yes – especially at the beginning.
The system launch has already been uneven, with delays and adjustments (including at Dover, to avoid disrupting Christmas travel). In 2026, some border crossings may still experience pauses, slow processing, and the classic tourist feeling of “what’s going on here?”.
In the long run, authorities promise faster and smoother border crossings. But as usual, early travellers will act as beta testers. We’ve been there before – I still remember crossing the border the day after visa-free travel was introduced.
ETIAS: not yet, but get ready
If you already planned to pay for ETIAS and added it to your travel checklist – relax.
The launch has been postponed again, now expected no earlier than late 2026.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) keeps shifting timelines.
Once it finally launches:
- visa-free travellers will need to apply online
- cost: €20
- validity: 3 years
- allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period
In short, it’s an electronic travel permit – without it, entry into the EU simply won’t be allowed.
For now, however, travel continues under the existing rules.
The United Kingdom: ETA steps into the spotlight
From February 2026 – officially and strictly
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has existed for a while in a vague “kind of active” mode.
From February 2026, it becomes fully mandatory.
Who does this affect?
- tourists from 85 countries
- travellers who previously did not need a visa
Key details:
- online application
- £16 fee (around €18.20)
- valid for 2 years
- allows stays of up to 6 months in the UK
It may seem minor, but it’s yet another item on the growing pre-flight checklist.
Europe is getting more expensive: travel becomes less budget-friendly and more deliberate
Airbnb no longer saves the day
2025 confirmed a trend that will only intensify in 2026: cheap accommodation is becoming harder to find.
Paris, Barcelona, and now Budapest (hello, District VI) are introducing tighter restrictions on short-term rentals.
The official reason is to protect local residents from skyrocketing rents.
The result is predictable:
- fewer available listings
- higher prices
- Booking platforms feeling very confident again
Tourist taxes: pay per night, per day, and almost for existing
Overnight tourist taxes are no longer surprising. They’ve become standard practice in many countries:
- Iceland
- Spain
- Norway
- United Kingdom
Venice continues experimenting with fees for day-trippers – come in, look around, pay.
In 2026, even Bucharest plans to introduce a tourist tax, despite strong opposition from hoteliers.
Officially, all of this is branded as “quality tourism”:
fewer tourists, more revenue, less noise, more order.
In reality – another line in the travel budget.
Mountain resorts: winter turns into gold
Love skiing or snowboarding? Then brace yourself.
Ski pass prices in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy have increased by up to 40% compared to 2021 at some resorts.
The reasons are familiar:
- energy costs
- maintenance
- infrastructure investments
The views are still stunning.
Your wallet, however, may scream louder than your boots on frozen snow.
Tourists, behave yourselves: Europe tightens the rules
Smoke-free beaches and dressed tourists
Europe is tired not only of crowds, but also of the “I’m on vacation, I can do anything” mentality.
Some telling examples:
- San Sebastián banned smoking on beaches
- Albufeira introduced fines for overly revealing clothing outside beach areas
- Palma banned party boats to let residents sleep
A holiday is no longer an excuse. Europe is making that very clear.
France: trouble starts on the plane
Since November last year, France has introduced strict measures:
- fines of up to €20,000 for misconduct onboard
- flight bans of up to 4 years
In other words, for those who enjoy causing scenes on planes, it’s now expensive, long-lasting, and deeply unpleasant.
Air passenger rights: hope remains, guarantees don’t
From time to time, rumours appear about:
- free carry-on luggage
- better compensation for flight delays
Airlines, however, strongly oppose these changes.
EU passenger rights legislation has been under discussion for 11 years, and there’s still no clear ending. Some EU countries even suggest raising the compensation threshold from 3 to 4 hours of delay – naturally, in favour of airlines.
A separate subplot involves Ryanair and its push toward paperless boarding passes.
Portugal has already clarified:
passengers with paper boarding passes cannot be denied boarding.
Final thoughts: Europe is becoming less “cheap” and more “controlled”
The year 2026 firmly locks in the trend:
- more digital control
- more rules
- higher prices
- less tolerance for chaos
Travelling around Europe is still absolutely possible – and worthwhile.
Just do it with a plan, a clear head, and an understanding of the new reality.
Don’t forget the basics
Most popular destinations remain safe, but if you’re travelling actively, insurance is worth it – quite literally.
It costs very little, saves money and nerves, and adds peace of mind in unexpected situations.
We usually use standard travel insurance from Hotline Finance. The policy can be stored on your phone and shown when needed.
Useful travel tools:
- Aviasales – searching for budget flights worldwide, always find what I need.
- Booking.com – a familiar and convenient website for searching and booking accommodation worldwide.
- LocalRent – budget car rental in Georgia from local trusted rental companies with the option of free booking cancellation.
- tours and activities worldwide – GetYourGuide
A car on a trip isn’t a luxury – it’s another level of freedom. Even a supermarket run becomes easier, and if you want to see the best places, a car is simply a must.
More about travel:
- Drone Rules in Thailand: Registration, No-Fly Zones, Insurance, Penalties and Full Safety Guide
- Slash the Price Abroad: Your 10-Rule Haggling Guide
