Latest Operational
Updates

EU/EFTA nationals (excluding Irish) require an ETA to travel to the UK unless exempt e.g. resident in UK.

The application fee for a short stay visitor visa will increase to £127 from 9 April 2025. Applications made before 9 April are £115.

The application fee has been confirmed to increase to £16 per person from 9 April 2025 for all nationalities requiring an ETA. Applications made before 9 April are £10.

New start date(s) planned for EES and ETIAS following the latest European Council Home Affairs meeting.

The government of the Balearic Islands has proposed changes to the tourist tax.

The regional government (Generalitat de Catalunya) has announced a 100% increase in the regional tourist tax.

Edinburgh City Council has approved a Visitor Levy of 5% to be implemented from 24 July 2026.

Rate increases applicable for the 'accommodation tax' have been confirmed for 2025. Also, a new levy for cruise passengers applies from 1 January 2025

Bologna, Milan and Naples have announced an increase in the tourist tax for 2025, as permitted by the Budget Law for the Jubilee.

Amendments to the ZTL applicable to vehicles with 10 or more seats.

Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water - upcoming changes to coach access in both villages.

From April 2025, a fee will be charged to coaches stopping in the city centre

Phase 2 of the road reconstruction works at the Lawnmarket have begun with impact on access.

In order to streamline access to the museum during the Easter Holidays a new entrance will be available to small groups with a guide.

Following a meeting with St Peter's Basilica, ETOA created a FAQ about their new booking system

Guided visits are not permitted until 9 June. The group booking platform is expected to open in April.

After maintenance work, the Trevi Fountain has reopened with new arrangements

The European Council proposes removing Linked Travel Arrangements (LTAs) and instead requiring consumer notification if a booking isn’t a package. The European Parliament's IMCO committee will draft a report, with a vote expected by June 2025

Revision of some EU driving and rest time rules for occasional services (i.e. coach tours) is now in force across the EU. These changes do not currently apply in the UK, where the EU rules prior to 22 May 2024 remain in effect

Joint industry position about the European Commission’s proposed amendments to the Package Travel Directive

For recording of 19th March 2024 webinar on new regulation affecting guiding in Italy click on Read More below

Italy has published new law affecting provision of guiding services. This will have significant impact on professional not established in Italy intended to provide services there. Submitting a ‘prior declaration’ as soon as practical is advised to minimise risk of fine

The European Commission approved reforms to the Package Travel Directive, including a cap on prepayments at booking to 25% of the package price, except when higher costs (e.g., full flight payments) justify more. The proposals now go to the European Parliament and Council for further review.

The UK government was reported to have been considering all options, including a complete redraft of its Package Travel Regulations. Members were invited to answer to the consultation closed on 13th December 2023.