Spain Issues Travel Advisory Amid Record Tourism Surge: What Travelers Need to Know in 2025

Spain has issued a travel advisory amid record-breaking visitor numbers in 2025. The country has already welcomed 17 million visitors in the first quarter of this year alone, marking a 5.7 percent increase compared to last year and making it the busiest year for tourism in Spain's recorded history. With summer travel months approaching, this influx of tourists is causing significant strain on the country's infrastructure and generating backlash from locals.

The U.S. Department of State currently advises travelers to exercise increased caution in Spain due to concerns about terrorism and civil unrest. This advisory was reissued on May 12, 2025. Demonstrations have become common throughout the country, often occurring in response to political and economic issues, particularly related to overtourism. In Barcelona, locals have expressed their frustration through protests and confrontations with tourists.

Adding to these concerns, Spain experienced a major power outage in late April 2025 that affected transit, hospitals, and other essential services across Spain, France, and Portugal. This infrastructure challenge highlights potential vulnerabilities travelers might face.

Spain has also implemented stricter measures to manage overtourism in 2025. The country has expanded public drinking bans, prohibiting alcohol consumption on streets, beaches, and parks, with fines reaching up to €3,000. There are also stricter sales restrictions in nightlife areas.

For those still planning to visit Spain, be aware of entry requirements. In 2025, travelers must prove they have at least 118€ (approximately $125) per person per day. For stays of 9 days or longer, visitors need to demonstrate possession of at least 1065€ (approximately $1125) or its equivalent in foreign currency. Financial means can be proven through cash, traveler's checks, credit cards with bank statements, or other resources showing available funds. Online bank statements or bank letters are not accepted.

While there are no longer COVID-19 restrictions for entering Spain, it's recommended not to travel if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19. General entry conditions still apply, which vary depending on your country of origin. For specific entry requirements, check with Spanish embassies and consulates.

If you decide to travel to Spain, exercise caution, stay informed about local developments, and be respectful of local communities that are dealing with the challenges of record tourism.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Spain has issued a travel advisory amid record breaking visitor
numbers in twenty twenty five. The country has already welcomed
seventeen million visitors in the first quarter of this year alone,
marking a five point seven per cent increase compared to
last year and making it the busiest year for tourism
in Spain's recorded history. With summer travel months approaching, this

(00:23):
influx of tourists is causing significant strain on the country's
infrastructure and generating backlash from locals. The US Department of
State currently advises travelers to exercise increased caution in Spain
due to concerns about terrorism and civil unrest. This advisory
was reissued on May twelfth, twenty twenty five. Demonstrations have

(00:45):
become common throughout the country, often occurring in response to
political and economic issues, particularly related to overturism. In Barcelona,
locals have expressed their frustration through protests and confrontations with tourists.
Adding to these concerns, Spain experienced a major power outage
in late April twenty twenty five that affected transit, hospitals,

(01:08):
and other essential services across Spain, France, and Portugal. This
infrastructure challenge highlights potential vulnerabilities travelers might face. Spain has
also implemented stricter measures to manage overturism. In twenty twenty five,
the country has expanded public drinking bands, prohibiting alcohol consumption
on streets, beaches, and parks, with fines reaching up to

(01:30):
three thousand euro There are also stricter sales restrictions in
nightlife areas. For those still planning to visit Spain, be
aware of entry requirements. In twenty twenty five, travelers must
prove they have at least one hundred and eighteen euro
approximately one hundred twenty five dollars per person per day.
For stays of nine days or longer, visitors need to

(01:52):
demonstrate possession of at least one thousand, sixty five euros
approximately one hund eleven and twenty five dollars or its
equivalent in foreign currency. Financial means can be proven through
cash travelers checks, credit cards, with bank statements or other
resources showing available funds. Online, bank statements or bank letters
are not accepted. While there are no longer COVID nineteen

(02:14):
restrictions for entering Spain, it's recommended not to travel if
you have symptoms compatible with COVID nineteen. General entry conditions
still apply, which vary depending on your country of origin.
For specific entry requirements, check with Spanish embassies and consulates.
If you decide to travel to Spain, exercise caution, stay

(02:35):
informed about local developments, and be respectful of local communities
that are dealing with the challenges of record tourism.