Spain is introducing stricter regulations for holidaymakers, including bans on pub crawls and short-term rentals, higher costs and new taxes, as it aims to manage over-tourism and its impact on local residents.
Spain has long been a top holiday destination for Irish travellers, with around 2.5 million Irish visitors flocking to the country every year. Many will be heading there in the coming weeks to escape the gloomy weather, while others are already planning their summer vacations.
But before you pack your suitcase, it's important to stay updated on the new regulations that could affect your trip. Recent years have seen a number of reforms in Spain, driven by the effects of the Covid pandemic, Brexit implications, regional law changes and over-tourism concerns. This year, Spain is introducing new restrictions on holiday rental properties and pub crawls in a bid to address the impact tourism is having on local residents. Visitors to some of the country's most popular tourist destinations will face stricter rules, potentially leading to higher costs for their holidays. Last year, Spain saw large-scale protests against over-tourism, particularly as the number of visitors continues to rise. In 2024, a record 11.7 million tourists visited Barcelona. The city, a favorite for stag and hen parties, will introduce a ban on pub crawls starting in June to curb antisocial behaviour, Mirror UK reports. The ban, which will restrict organized alcohol-fueled tours between public establishments from 7pm to 7am, also comes with penalties for promoters. A €900 fine could be imposed for advertising such events. Additionally, Barcelona will implement a ban on short-term tourist apartment rentals starting in 2028 in response to overcrowding and rising property prices, which locals have voiced concerns about. Other popular destinations like Malaga and Mallorca have adopted similar rules. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: "The government’s duty is to prioritise residential use of housing and prevent speculative and touristic uses from expanding in a totally uncontrolled manner at the cost of residents." After a record 18 million visitors to the Balearic Islands in 2024, officials are preparing to impose stricter measures as even more tourists are expected this year. The goal is to better manage tourism and prevent overcrowding before the season begins. In October, Balearic President Marga Prohens announced that urgent measures to tackle tourism congestion would be introduced, with support from opposition parties. She said: "We are aware of the need to adopt measures before the next season to deal with episodes of tourist overcrowding. Yes, the time has come to take decisions, and for this reason, I can announce that next February the Balearic government will approve a decree law on urgent measures to tackle tourist congestion with measures that have the consensus of all." The new regulations are expected to include a tax on overnight stays and enhanced police powers to tackle illegal holiday lets. Authorities are also considering measures such as limiting airport arrivals or imposing additional taxes on certain tourist hotspots and activities to disperse crowds from popular areas. These new regulations follow a Spanish law enacted last year requiring visitors to provide more personal information when booking hotel stays or car rentals. Tenerife has already implemented limits on the number of visitors allowed into its national parks, while Mallorca has capped the number of cruise ships permitted to dock at its port. Seville has introduced a charge for anyone entering the city’s iconic Plaza de España. Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice
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