If you’re lucky enough to be jetting or training away this October half term, then there are a number of new travel rules in place that you’ll need to know before you do
Holidaymakers face a raft of new tourism rules in European destinations this half term.
The autumn break is just around the corner in England and Wales, where it runs from Monday, October 27 to Friday, October 31, for most schools. It’s already underway in Scotland, with those north of the border enjoying a few days off this week.
If you’re lucky enough to be jetting or training away this October, then there are a number of new travel rules in place that you’ll need to know. We’ve listed the most important ones below.
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Entry/Exit System
The big change British holidaymakers will face this half-term is the introduction of the Entry/Exit System, or EES.
As of last Sunday (October 12), non-EU passport holders entering the bloc have had to submit certain details before leaving the airport, train station or port. That includes fingerprints and facial scans. They are also being asked to answer a number of questions, including whether or not they have enough money to cover their stay.
Although the official launch was on Sunday, the system is being phased in. Not all countries are ready to start processing the information yet.
In terms of preparation, there isn’t anything particular that holidaymakers need to do that is different to travelling to the EU prior to October 12. Just make sure you have your passport and a decent amount of money in your bank account.
The Mirror was invited to try out the system earlier this month and had some key questions answered.
A strict new code of conduct
Locals in Albufeira in Portugal are growing tired of the chaos caused by tourists. In a bid to control the crowds and stop behaviour from getting out of control, local authorities have issued a code of conduct to keep things calm in the popular resort. Those caught breaching it face hefty fines.
The fines range from a minimum of €150 to €1,800 (£130–£1,570) for ignoring the tightened restrictions, which include misplacing shopping trolleys, lighting barbecues on the beach, and creating excessive noise.
Fines being introduced in Albufeira include:
- Wearing swimwear outside of authorised areas – €300 to €1,500 (£260–£1,300)
- Street drinking, urination or defecation in public – €300 to €1,500
- Public nudity or sexual acts in public – €500 to €1,800 (£435–£1,570)
Other destinations have introduced similar rules. Alicante has implemented new curfews on bars and nightclubs, following a rise in noise complaints from residents. The restrictions require bars to close at 12.30am on weekdays and 1am on Fridays, Saturdays and on the eve of national holidays. Nightclubs must close at 1am during weekdays and 3am on the weekend.
Smoking bans
It is bad news for those who enjoy nothing more than sitting back with a glass of crisp white wine and lighting a cigarette beneath the warm Continental sun.
France banned smoking on beaches, in parks, outside schools and in other locations from July. The ban, which follows similar measures across an increasingly smoking-averse Europe, will exempt café outdoor terraces and will not apply to electronic cigarettes.
A similar law is working its way through central government in Spain, but is not yet in force. However, some Spanish regions have local laws banning smoking on beaches. In Sweden it has been illegal to smoke in outdoor restaurant terraces, bus stops, train platforms and schoolyards since 2019.
Tourist taxes
The number of destinations charging tourists daily or nightly taxes is increasing at a rapid rate.
In the UK, a small number of cities have started the practice. Manchester and Liverpool currently have visitor levies in place, collected from hotels through Accommodation Business Improvement Districts. Edinburgh is set to introduce a visitor levy in 2026.
The number of European destinations with new levies is too numerous to list. Some of the major ones include Venice, which has introduced a €5 day-trip fee in an effort to limit day-tourism.
In Catalonia, Spain, the government has delayed a planned hike in the daily tourist tax, originally set to range between €6 and €11. The new tax could eventually rise to €15 per day. Barcelona, the most popular destination in the region, has increased its municipal tourist tax to €6.75 per night for guests staying in five-star hotels.
Cruise ship bans
A number of prominent destinations across Europe have introduced limits on the number of cruise ships docking there, so locals and businesses aren’t overwhelmed by arrivals.
Notable examples include Venice banning large cruise ships from its lagoon, Nice and Cannes banning ships over a certain passenger capacity, and cities like Barcelona and Dubrovnik implementing daily docking limits.
Airbnb bans
As convenient as they may be, holiday letting platforms such as Airbnb can cause serious pressure on the housing market and contribute to the exodus of locals from holiday hotspots.
In response, some authorities are introducing bans.
The coastal Andalusian city of Málaga has banned new rental properties in 43 neighbourhoods where those rentals exceed eight per cent of the residential stock. The measure was introduced in January 2025 and will be trialled for three years.
Earlier this year, amid a tense environment against short-term rentals, the Spanish government ordered Airbnb to take down more than 65,000 holiday rentals, which they said violated Airbnb’s own rules and regulations.
