Europe tightens tourism
Several European destinations are tightening rules: France’s Loi le Meur gives local governments power to cut allowed holiday rental nights from 120 to 90, Barcelona has doubled its daily tourist tax, and Venice reinstated a day‑tripper access fee on 60 peak days in 2026. These changes are being rolled out across multiple countries to manage overtourism and fines are being introduced in some places. ( )
Europe is tightening tourism rules: France, Barcelona and Venice rolled out 2026 measures that cut rental nights, raise tourist taxes and revive entry fees. (travelandtourworld.com) France’s Loi Le Meur (law n°2024‑1039), promulgated 19 November 2024, overhauled rules for furnished holiday rentals and expanded municipal powers. (legifrance.gouv.fr) The law lets communes lower the national 120‑day cap for primary‑residence short‑term lets to 90 days; Paris and Marseille have adopted 90‑day limits, with Paris’s change effective 1 January 2025. (paris.fr) Catalonia’s parliament doubled the regional tourist tax from 1 April 2026; Barcelona’s combined new rates push five‑star hotel guests from €7.50 to €12 per night. (ajuntament.barcelona.cat) Venice reinstated its day‑tripper Contributo d’Accesso for 2026 on 60 peak days between 3 April and 26 July, charging €5 for early bookings and €10 for late purchases between 08:30 and 16:00. (comune.venezia.it) The moves are part of a wider European wave — officials in Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia, Greece and other countries have introduced levies, caps and new fines this season. (travelandtourworld.com) Enforcement is tightening: French rules raised penalties for unregistered listings and allowed heavier fines for intermediaries, while cities nationwide are preparing registration checks and sanctions. (euronews.com) Barcelona says 25 percent of the new tourist‑tax revenue will go to regional housing policies and 75 percent to a tourism promotion fund, and Venice’s official portal lists exemptions for residents and overnight guests. (ajuntament.barcelona.cat)
