Spain, with its stunning beaches, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, continues to be one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations. However, following record-breaking tourism levels in 2024 and increasing concerns about sustainability, the country has implemented numerous new regulations for visitors in 2025. From entry requirements to accommodation restrictions and beach behavior guidelines, travelers need to be aware of these changes to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before planning your Spanish getaway this year, helping you navigate the complex web of national, regional, and local regulations that could impact your vacation.
Entry Requirements: Prepare Your Documentation
Spain’s approach to tourism management begins at the border, with entry requirements varying significantly based on your country of origin. Understanding what documents you’ll need before arrival can save considerable time and stress.
For travelers arriving from EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Schengen Area countries, the process remains relatively straightforward. A valid national ID card or passport is sufficient for entry, and there are no restrictions on the length of stay, though registration is required for visits exceeding 90 days.
However, for non-EU visitors—including those from the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada—Spain has significantly tightened its border procedures in 2025. Even for short visits, authorities now require a more extensive documentation package.
First and foremost, all non-EU travelers must present a passport valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure date. Additionally, Spain now requires proof of travel insurance with adequate coverage for the duration of your stay—a new requirement implemented this year.
Border officials may also request evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your visit. While there’s no fixed amount specified, having access to approximately €100 per day of your stay is generally considered adequate.
You’ll also need to show confirmation of accommodation arrangements. For hotel stays, a reservation confirmation is sufficient. If you’re staying in a privately owned property, proof of address will be required. For those visiting friends or family, a formal invitation letter (“carta de invitación”) from your host may be requested.
Finally, return or onward travel documentation is essential. Officials need assurance that you plan to leave Spain, so having your return flight information readily available is advisable.
Perhaps the most significant change coming later in 2025 is the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This pre-travel authorization requirement, similar to the ESTA system used by the United States, will apply to visa-exempt travelers entering the Schengen Area. The ETIAS application costs €7, can be completed online, and remains valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. While the exact implementation date remains fluid, travelers planning trips to Spain in the latter half of 2025 should monitor this development closely.
Accommodation Regulations: The Changing Landscape of Tourist Rentals
Spain’s housing market has been significantly impacted by the proliferation of short-term rentals in tourist areas, leading to housing shortages and increased costs for local residents. In response, authorities have implemented substantial changes to the regulation of tourist accommodations beginning January 2025.
The national government now requires all property owners offering short-term rentals to register in a centralized database and obtain proper permits before listing their properties on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO. This registration process includes strict compliance with safety regulations, tax requirements, and neighborhood-specific restrictions.
Additionally, accommodation providers must now collect comprehensive personal information from guests, including identification details and banking information. This data collection requirement applies to all forms of tourist accommodation, from luxury hotels to humble guesthouses.
While Airbnb and similar platforms have objected to these restrictions, arguing they may not effectively address overtourism concerns, the Spanish government has remained firm in its approach. The immediate impact on travelers is minimal, as properties already registered before these changes can continue operating. However, the reduced supply of new rental accommodations may eventually lead to higher prices, especially during peak travel seasons.
It’s important to note that these national regulations operate alongside city-specific restrictions that may be even more stringent. Barcelona, for instance, has announced plans to completely phase out all short-term tourist rentals by 2028. Under this ambitious plan, existing licenses will not be renewed, and new applications will be rejected outright.
Malaga has taken a more targeted approach, identifying 43 specific neighborhoods where tourist apartments already exceed 8 percent of the available housing stock. In these areas, no new rental properties will be permitted, though existing licensed properties can continue operating.
For travelers, these changes mean that booking accommodation through official channels is more important than ever. Using unlicensed properties not only risks disruption to your travel plans if authorities identify and shut down illegal rentals, but also potentially contributes to the housing challenges facing local communities.
Tourist Taxes: Prepare Your Wallet
Tourist taxes have become increasingly common across Spain, with several regions implementing or increasing visitor fees in 2025. These taxes, typically collected by accommodation providers upon check-in, vary significantly by location and accommodation category.
Catalonia pioneered Spain’s tourism tax system in 2012 with a modest “ecotax” ranging from €0.60 to €3.50 per night. However, Barcelona has dramatically increased its fees for 2025, creating one of Europe’s most expensive tourist tax structures. Luxury hotel guests in Barcelona now face combined regional and municipal charges reaching up to €7 per night, with an additional city surcharge that could be doubled to €4, potentially bringing the total nightly tax to €11 (plus VAT) for five-star accommodations.
The Balearic Islands—home to popular destinations like Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca—have also adjusted their approach, raising the standard overnight charge from €4 to €6 per person per night for 2025. This increase particularly targets peak-season travelers (June through August) and those staying in luxury accommodations.
Following significant anti-tourism protests in 2024, the Canary Islands are considering implementing their own tourist tax. The town of Mogan on Gran Canaria has already taken the first step, introducing a modest fee of €0.15 per person per day starting in January 2025.
Other Spanish cities joining the tourist tax trend in 2025 include Santiago de Compostela and Toledo, both implementing new fees ranging from €1 to €2.50 per person per night.
For travelers, these taxes represent an important budget consideration. A family of four staying for two weeks in Barcelona or Mallorca could face additional costs of hundreds of euros in tourist taxes alone. While typically collected at check-in, some accommodations may include these fees in their advertised rates, so clarifying the total cost before booking is advisable.
Behavioral Regulations: Mind Your Manners
Beyond documentation requirements and financial considerations, Spain has implemented various behavioral regulations aimed at preserving quality of life for residents and maintaining the character of popular destinations. Violations of these rules can result in substantial fines, making awareness essential for visitors.
Alcohol Consumption Restrictions
Several Spanish destinations have implemented measures to combat excessive drinking and the disruptive behavior often associated with it. Barcelona has extended its ban on organized pub crawls to include the historic Eixample district effective June 1, 2025. This follows a long-standing prohibition in the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) district that has been extended until at least 2028.
The Balearic Islands have implemented even stricter measures. Major resorts in Mallorca—including Llucmajor, Palma, and Calvia (which encompasses Magaluf)—as well as San Antonio in Ibiza, now prohibit alcohol consumption on public streets. Additionally, retail establishments in these areas cannot sell alcohol between 9:30 PM and 8:00 AM.
Penalties for violating these alcohol-related regulations are substantial, ranging from €750 to €1,500 for disruptive behavior, with fines up to €3,000 for serious offenses. These measures reflect Spain’s determination to shift away from its reputation as a destination for unbridled partying toward a more sustainable tourism model.
Driving Restrictions
Several Spanish localities have implemented driving restrictions affecting tourists. Most notably, the picturesque town of Soller in Mallorca has established a low-emission zone in its historic center, banning non-resident vehicles from circulating through 12 historic streets and approximately 70 hectares of the municipality.
Visitors with rental cars must now park in designated areas on the periphery of the historical zone and continue their exploration on foot. This approach, similar to measures in other European historic centers, aims to reduce congestion, decrease pollution, and preserve the town’s architectural heritage.
Additionally, car rental companies across Spain now must collect the same comprehensive personal information from customers as accommodation providers. Some companies allow customers to complete the required forms online before arrival to streamline the process, but valid identification must still be presented when collecting the vehicle.
Beach Behavior Regulations
Spain’s beaches have become a particular focus of new regulations, with various municipalities implementing rules to improve safety, cleanliness, and overall enjoyment for all visitors.
Torrox, a popular Costa del Sol destination, has banned beach tents, gazebos, and similar structures. Local authorities cite multiple concerns, including the space these structures occupy, noise generation, and potential obstruction of lifeguard sightlines and emergency service access. Torrox previously made headlines by fining beachgoers who attempted to reserve prime spots by leaving belongings unattended, a practice now prohibited in many Spanish coastal towns.
Smoking restrictions on beaches have expanded significantly across Spain. While Barcelona pioneered beach smoking bans, more than 100 beaches nationwide now prohibit smoking. The Balearic Islands have designated 28 beaches as smoke-free zones, including popular destinations like Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río and Playa de Talamanca in Ibiza, and Sant Joan and Santa Ponsa in Mallorca. Similar restrictions apply to 53 beaches in Andalucia, 61 in the Canary Islands, and 18 along the Costa del Sol. Additionally, many beaches now extend these prohibitions to include vaping and e-cigarettes.
Perhaps the most unusual—and certainly the most discussed—beach regulation concerns bodily functions. Following the northern town of Vigo’s 2023 decision to fine beachgoers for “physiological evacuation on the beach or in the sea,” Malaga has implemented similar restrictions at 25 beaches within its municipality. The city is considering increasing fines for such behavior from €300 to €750. Additionally, Malaga is contemplating bans on other activities deemed disruptive, including ball games, allowing dogs in the water, and reserving beach areas with parasols.
Navigating the New Tourism Landscape
The proliferation of new tourism regulations across Spain reflects the country’s evolving approach to managing visitor numbers while preserving quality of life for residents. While some of these changes may seem restrictive, they ultimately aim to create a more sustainable tourism model that benefits both visitors and locals.
For travelers planning a Spanish vacation in 2025, preparation is key. Ensuring you have all required documentation before departure, budgeting for tourist taxes, researching accommodation regulations in your specific destination, and familiarizing yourself with local behavioral guidelines will help avoid unexpected complications.
It’s worth noting that most taxation requirements fall on accommodation providers rather than individual travelers. While you’ll ultimately pay these fees, the responsibility for collecting and remitting them to authorities rests with hotels and rental property owners.
When it comes to behavioral regulations, common courtesy goes a long way. Most restrictions simply codify respectful behavior—avoiding excessive noise, keeping beaches clean, and respecting local customs and regulations. By approaching your Spanish holiday with consideration for local communities and environments, you’ll not only avoid fines but also contribute to preserving what makes these destinations special for future visitors.
Despite these regulatory changes, Spain remains committed to welcoming international visitors. Tourism represents approximately 13 percent of the national GDP and provides employment for millions of Spaniards. The new regulations aim not to discourage tourism but to ensure it develops in a manner that benefits everyone involved.
By understanding and respecting these new rules, travelers can continue to enjoy all that Spain has to offer—from the sun-drenched beaches of the Costa del Sol to the architectural wonders of Barcelona, the natural beauty of the Balearic Islands, and the rich cultural heritage of cities like Madrid, Seville, and Granada—while helping to ensure these treasures remain for generations to come.
