10 big changes coming to travel for 2025

As 2025 approaches, more than a few changes will impact international and domestic travel, particularly those related to entry requirements and tourist taxes.

To keep you up to speed and ensure that your travels in 2025 go smoothly, we've rounded up some of the biggest changes below.

Here's what you can expect as we roll into the new year.

Real ID is coming

Under new laws going into effect May 7, 2025, domestic travelers passing through airports in the U.S. will be required to carry a Real ID. The law was initially intended to come into effect in 2008 but has seen several deadline extensions over the years.

Once it formally launches, you must ensure that you carry a compliant Real ID, though local governments will have a lot of wiggle room before they fully enforce the requirements. You can tell if your current driver's license or ID is Real ID-compliant by looking for a star in the upper left or right corner.

There may be some variances in the symbol, and you can view some examples below.

You can use this tool to figure out if you are compliant; you can find out more information regarding your eligibility and how to acquire a new ID if required in this guide.

Expect more biometric and touchless screening as American joins the party

More and more airports will roll out biometric screening or touchless ID in 2025. The technology aims to make breezing through airports and security more efficient and faster, which is only a good thing. The technology is not new: The Transportation Security Administration has been using it in different ways since 2019, and it has already been implemented at various airports across the country. However, its use is expected to grow.

The technology uses facial recognition software to confirm your identity, check you in and print out your bag tags. This way, you can pass through security without showing a boarding pass or pulling out identification.

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Both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines already use biometric screening at select airports — allowing TSA PreCheck members to use facial recognition to pass through TSA PreCheck security, along with biometric bag drop technology to speed up checking luggage. American Airlines will also join the party, rolling out biometric screening in the coming months.

The technology is expected to greatly streamline screening processes ahead of the U.S. hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As such, we fully expect to see its use grow throughout 2025 in preparation.

Americans must pay to visit the UK starting in January 

From Jan. 8, 2025, the U.K. will roll out its new Electronic Travel Authorization system for visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Travelers must apply online, provide personal and passport details and pay a fee of 10 pounds ($13). The ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — and it will allow stays of up to six months per visit.

You can apply via the official UK ETA app ( iOS and Android) or the government website. Processing typically takes up to three business days.

Visa-free entry to China for Americans

China is set to expand its current visa-free policies, which will allow Americans to visit certain areas for up to 10 days without needing a visa. The new rules will apply to visitors from 54 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. Under the previous rules, you could only visit visa-free for up to 72 hours.

To take advantage of the policy, you must prove that you're leaving China within 10 days of arrival, and you can only visit 24 different provinces. You can see a full list of the provinces here.

Americans will need to pay ETIAS fee to visit Europe

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is expected to launch sometime around May 2025. Under the new system, travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.K. and the U.S., must obtain an ETIAS authorization before visiting Schengen Area countries.

Like the U.K.'s ETA system, the application requires personal information and passport details. Travelers ages 18 to 70 must also pay a 7 euro (around $7.25) fee. Once approved, the authorization is valid for three years or until the passport expires. 

Before the ETIAS launch, the EU will also introduce its new Entry/Exit System, which will replace passport stamps with biometric checks, including fingerprints and facial images.

This system aims to enhance border security and streamline entry. It was initially slated to launch in late 2024 before being postponed. A new date is yet to be announced, but it is expected sometime in early 2025.

Travelers should anticipate potential delays during the initial rollout and plan accordingly. For more information, check out our ETIAS guide.

US hotels must now disclose all fees upfront

In December 2024, the Federal Trade Commission finalized a cross-industry rule that will require hotels to disclose all fees in advertised prices.

The rule should hopefully force full transparency on "junk fees," such as resort fees and other hidden costs for short-term lodging. In addition to hotels, the rule will also apply to vacation rentals and ticketed live events.

You can find out more about the ruling here.

Italy bans self-check-in for vacation rentals

Tourists visiting Italy who are staying in a short-term rental accommodation — such as an Airbnb or Vrbo spot — will no longer be able to check in independently using key boxes. Instead, their hosts will need to meet them to provide the keys and check them in.

The new measures mean that travelers will need to plan their trips around the pickups; it could make arriving at some properties later in the evening or early in the morning more difficult.

Spain's new "big brother" data law could cause travelers a headache

As of Dec. 2, 2024, Spain has a new law that requires tourists to share an increased amount of personal information. The new rules will see visitors supply more than 40 pieces of personal information with hotels and 60 pieces of personal information for car rentals.

The details will include information such as banking details, home addresses and the relationship between those traveling in the party.

Hotels, vacation rentals, camping sites, car rentals and tourism operators on the Spanish mainland and Canary and Balearic Islands will all be required to collect the data, which will be stored for up to three years.

Alongside increasing the arduous process of booking your stays and rentals when visiting Spain, critics have also slammed the data rules as a privacy risk.

Europe's Schengen Area is getting bigger

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania will both become full members of the Schengen Area. Prior to this, the countries were only part of the Schengen Area with regard to air and sea travel. Their full membership is expected to make internal border controls operate much more efficiently for both domestic and international travelers.

Tourist taxes galore

Several notable European destinations are introducing or increasing tourist taxes to manage the impact of tourism in 2025.

Portugal

From Jan. 1, 2025, tourists older than 12 must pay a 3 euro (about $3.10 at the current exchange rate) fee to hike trails in Madeira, Portugal. Failure to do so will incur a 50 euro ($52) fine. Elsewhere in Portugal, the city of Evora has plans to introduce its tourist tax in early 2025, with the fee yet to be disclosed.

Venice

Following its successful 2024 trial, Venice will again implement its visitor tax. The city will impose the tax for 54 days — payable every Friday to Sunday and public holidays between April 18 and July 27. Day-trippers who book before visiting will be charged 5 euros ($5.20) to enter the city. The fee increases to 10 euros ($10.40) for bookings less than four days in advance.

Greece

Greece's daily tourist tax will rise to 2 euros ($2.10) during the low season and 8 euros ($8.40) in the high season (April to October). Travelers visiting the islands of Santorini and Mykonos via cruise ship must pay a 20 euro fee (around $21) during the high season. There is also talk of limiting the amount of cruise passengers able to visit the island to 8,000 per day.

Spain

Spain will roll out a range of increased tourist taxes across the country. The northern region of Asturias passed a ruling in September 2024 allowing each individual town hall to decide whether or not to implement tourist taxes. Thus far, popular tourist towns such as Cudillero, Cangas de Onis and Valdes seem set to announce new taxes. We'd expect the fees to be in place ahead of summer.

Elsewhere, Spain's Galicia region will implement a tourist tax ranging between 1 and 2.50 euros ($1 to $2.60) beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The fee will change depending on the accommodation type; it will only be payable for a maximum of five days and will be waived from the sixth day on.

Tenerife will implement additional tourist taxes for visitors to natural areas, such as national parks and other points of interest. The fees will be payable from January 2025.

Alicante, on the other hand, plans to target visitors with increased entry fees to its many castles and municipal museums. Seville will similarly roll out an entrance fee for its iconic Plaza de Espana, though its cost has yet to be announced.

Bottom line

These are just some of the changes that are set to come into effect in 2025. As always, whenever you travel, it's a good idea to check the rules and regulations of the country that you are visiting and ensure you're up to date with travel policies.

Many of these changes, such as tourist taxes, will only affect you once you arrive at your destination; however, some could directly hamper your trip before it even begins if you're not aware of them. Make sure to do your homework well before you head to the airport.

Safe travels!

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