When protesters started dousing unsuspecting tourists with water guns in Barcelona, ​​we saw the culmination of anti-tourism protests in Spain. Earlier, thousands of people took to the streets in the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands and Andalusia, protesting against over-tourism.

Each year Spain welcomes over 85 million visitors from abroad, making it the world’s second most popular travel destination after France. But overtourism is now turning into a big problem with serious consequences for residents – and this not only in Spain, but also in other European countries, which are trying to find ways to limit the mass influx of tourists.

Barcelona: End of holiday rental homes

In Barcelona it was for a long time common practice to rent apartments and houses to tourists. But as there were also significant effects on property rentals in general, the capital of Catalonia is now launching measures so that by the end of 2028, no property will be available for rent to tourists. The city administration hopes that the more than 10,000 apartments that until now have been legally rented out to vacationers will again be available for long-term lease.

In the recent anti-tourism demonstrations in Barcelona, ​​the demonstrators criticized, among other things, rent prices, which have been increasing for years. At the same time, Catalonia welcomed 18 million visitors last year, more than any other region in Spain.

Mallorca: Restrictions on property buyers?

In recent weeks, anti-tourism protests have also taken place in Majorca, where there is also a major housing issue.

Among other things, the introduction of restrictions on property sales to private individuals who are not residents of Mallorca is now being discussed. However, it is still uncertain whether and to what extent such a measure would be compatible with EU law. Controls on short-term property rentals have also recently been strengthened.

Last year the island hosted 12.5 million tourists – more than any other year. For some time now, an upper limit has been imposed on the cruise ships that are allowed to dock at the island’s port.

Canary Islands: Low wages despite record tourism

A record number of visitors was also recorded last year in the Canary Islands, which welcomed more than 16 million tourists.

Despite all this, the inhabitants of the island complex are becoming increasingly poor. More than 60,000 people took part in a demonstration last April demanding, among other things, a fairer distribution of the wealth generated in the tourism industry – although tourism activities are quite profitable, average wages in the Canaries are particularly low. Contrary to most destinations that host many tourists, there is no tourist tax in the Canaries.

Paris: The cost of holidays is increasing

There has been a special overnight tax in the French capital for years – and the proceeds are used for investment to benefit permanent residents. From the beginning of 2024, the tax was more than doubled and depending on the category of the respective hotel, the visitor may be asked to pay up to 14.95 euros per day.

There is also a housing problem in Paris – and at a time when the city is hosting tens of thousands more visitors due to the Olympics. This is also why the city decided to tighten the framework for short-term property rentals to tourists: now only main residences, whose owners actually live in the city, can be rented.

Amsterdam: No more hotels

Amsterdam is taking the lead in curbing overtourism, setting a clear annual cap of 20 million overnight stays in tourist accommodation – a measure taken after a citizens’ initiative called on the city council to better regulate the influx of visitors to the Dutch capital.

In addition, permits will no longer be issued to build new hotels – this will only happen if another property closes. In the medium term, restrictions are also expected to be placed on the number of cruise ships that will be in the city’s port.

Greece: Restrictions for cruise ships in Mykonos

A corresponding measure seems to be taken by the Greek government, which has announced that it wants to limit the number of cruise ships approaching the most popular islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos.

According to the German Federal Statistical Office, nowhere else in the EU is the ratio of tourists to residents higher than in the southern Aegean – where overnight stays amount to more than 100 per local resident.

At the same time, this year Greece proceeded to impose a new tourist tax for the climate, which will be paid daily and, depending on the category of accommodation, can even amount to 10 euros.

Venice: Entrance ticket for same-day visitors

Anyone who does not spend the night in the old town of Venice will have to pay a special ticket to visit the city on the same day from this year. Although the entrance fee is 5 euros this year, next year it could even double for certain dates of the year.

The goal of the measure is to limit same-day visitors, since day-trippers who come to the city only for a few hours do not spend a lot of money, but obviously worsen the crowding in the city nonetheless. Every year Venice welcomes a total of around five million holidaymakers.

Edited by: Giorgos Passas