Europe in 2026: What Indian Travellers Should Know Before Planning Their Next Adventure

2025/12/11

Travel to Europe is always exciting—but 2026 is shaping up to be a year of meaningful change across the continent. From upgraded border controls and revised entry fees to shifting currencies and evolving tourist taxes, several updates are set to influence the way international visitors, especially travellers from India, experience Europe.

At Marvel Travels – Corporate & Leisure, we want your journeys to feel effortless, joyful, and stress-free. So here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow breakdown of the most important changes to expect when exploring Europe in 2026—and how you can plan smarter for a smooth holiday.

1. Biometric Border Checks Are Becoming the New Normal
If Europe is on your travel calendar for 2026, the first noticeable difference will appear right at the border. The European Union is steadily introducing its modern Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing traditional passport stamping with a digital identity verification process.

During your initial entry into the Schengen Area, border officers will capture your photograph and fingerprints to create a secure electronic profile. While this first step may take a little extra time, subsequent crossings will be quicker, as your details will simply be verified instead of re-recorded.

This hybrid phase—manual stamping combined with biometric checks—is expected to run until early 2026. By April 2026, the EES should be fully operational, so travellers can expect a more technology-driven arrival experience across Europe.

2. Several Iconic Attractions Will Be More Expensive
Europe’s legendary museums and cultural sites are adjusting their ticket prices—some quite significantly.

Leading the list is The Louvre in Paris, which plans to increase entry fees for travellers from outside the EU and EEA from €22 to €32, effective 14 January 2026. The hike supports major renovations and enhanced security upgrades.

Other French institutions, including Versailles, Château de Chambord, and national monuments, are also considering similar pricing models where non-EU visitors may pay a higher rate than local residents.

While this doesn’t mean every museum visit will strain your budget, it does signal that travellers should set aside a little extra for cultural experiences—especially in France. Always double-check pricing on official ticketing sites, as charges may vary depending on nationality or residency.

3. Tourist Taxes Are Increasing Across Popular Cities
Tourist taxes—often added to your hotel invoice—are becoming more common across Europe as governments work to manage growing visitor numbers and maintain public infrastructure.

Countries such as Spain, France, Greece, Germany, The Netherlands, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic already have these policies in place.

Here are a few examples to keep in mind:
• Amsterdam now charges 12.5% of the room rate—one of the highest in Europe.
• Barcelona has raised its nightly fee to around €4.
• France applies a sliding scale—less than €1 for campsites to over €10 for luxury hotels.
• Vienna typically charges 3.2% of the room rate.
• Prague levies approximately CZK 50 (around €2).
• Lisbon and Porto use a seasonal rate of about €2–3 per night.
Individually these charges may seem minor, but if your itinerary includes multiple cities, the total can add up. It’s best to confirm whether your accommodation collects these fees upfront or at check-in.

4. Bulgaria Will Start Using the Euro
Beginning 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will officially adopt the euro, replacing the Bulgarian lev. The exchange rate—1.95583 BGN to €1—has been stable for years due to an existing peg, so visitors shouldn’t see abrupt price changes.

For Indian travellers, this makes budgeting far simpler, opening the door for easier planning in destinations like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Bansko without the need for separate currency conversions.

5. Bulgaria and Romania Are Now Part of the Schengen Zone
Great news for anyone who loves multi-country travel! As of January 2025, both Bulgaria and Romania have officially joined the Schengen Area.

What does this mean for you?
• Internal land-border checks between these countries and the rest of the Schengen region have been removed.
• Travellers can now explore these destinations using a standard Schengen short-stay visa (Type C).
• No separate national visa is needed for tourist visits.
• You can seamlessly combine Western Europe with stops in Sofia, Varna, Bucharest, or Cluj-Napoca.

If you love creating diverse, multi-city itineraries, this update makes Eastern Europe far more accessible—and incredibly convenient.

Final Thoughts
Whether you're dreaming of strolling through Parisian streets, wandering across centuries-old squares in Prague, or relaxing along the Black Sea coast, Europe in 2026 promises unforgettable experiences with just a few new travel considerations.
At Marvel Travels, we're here to help you navigate every change with clarity and confidence—so your European holiday feels seamless from the moment you start planning.

Ready to design your perfect Europe 2026 itinerary?
We’d be delighted to assist you with visas, flights, hotels, curated experiences, and more.

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