New EU Travel Rules Set to Shake Up British Holidays in 2024
Brits heading to Europe in 2024, prepare for a tough new travel game. Brexit-driven rules and rising tourist taxes mean your continental getaway could get pricier and more complicated. Here’s the lowdown on what holidaymakers need to know.
Brexit Border Checks: Fingerprints and Facial Scans Arrive
Say goodbye to simple passport stamps. From next year, British travellers face fresh border checks across much of the EU. This means mandatory fingerprinting and facial recognition scans. Plus, personal details like birth date, nationality, and travel documents will be shared electronically.
These intrusive checks kick in regardless of how you enter Europe — via plane, Eurotunnel, or cruise ship.
- Children under 12 are exempt.
- Applies across all EU countries except Cyprus and Ireland.
- Also affects Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Some countries, including Slovenia and Austria, warn these checks could cause long delays at borders. Holidaymakers should brace for queues and extra hassle.
Tourist Taxes Soar Across Europe
Your hotel bill is about to get a shock. Tourist taxes in popular European hotspots are leaping — in some cases by up to 200%.
Take the Algarve, already famous with Brits. Tourist charges per night could rocket from €5 (£4.30) to a whopping €15 (£13). Over a three-night stay, that’s nearly £50 extra per person. Amsterdam is hiking tourist tax to 12.5% of your room price, while cruise visitors face fees rising from €8 (£6.95) to €11 (£9.55) per person.
Other cities slapping on new charges include Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Olhao, Faro, and Figueira da Foz. The cash raised is meant for public transport upgrades, but holiday budgets will surely suffer.
Cruise Fans Hit with Higher Fees and Shrinking Routes
Europe’s cruise scene is also feeling the squeeze. Amsterdam’s city council has voted to close the cruise terminal. Barcelona has shuttered its north terminal, forcing ships to dock farther out. A “one-ship-per-terminal” rule caps visits to seven ships at a time, with more closures planned by 2026.
Environmental concerns and efforts to curb overcrowding drive these restrictions — like Venice’s ban on large cruise vessels in 2021. But they mean fewer ports and more hassle for cruisers.
A Mixed Bag: More Destinations but a Complex Travel Landscape
It’s not all doom and gloom. British Airways, easyJet, and other airlines are expanding routes across Europe, with plenty of cheap fares popping up in the January sales. Families eyeing 2024 summer escapes might bag a bargain.
Yet, with stricter border checks, soaring tourist taxes, and cruise restrictions, booking a European trip now means planning for delays, higher costs, and new rules. Holidaymakers, choose wisely — 2024 European travel won’t be a walk in the park.
