If you're traveling in 2025, there are some key travel changes that are kicking in throughout the year that could affect your plans. Some could see you denied from your flight, while others could see you turned around and sent home, so you need to be aware!
Here are the top five travel changes happening in 2025.
Real ID is Happening in the U.S
They're real, and they're spectacular. Starting May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security is mandating that all U.S-based travelers flying on a domestic route have a Real ID as their form of identification at the airport.
These new and updated drivers licenses and identification cards are a response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards."
How do you know if you have a Real ID? Look for the star located in one of the corners of the front of your ID. If you see a star, you're good to go! Missing a Real ID? You can either visit your local DMV for an updated card, or just use your passport which bypasses the whole requirement.
You Need an Electronic Travel Authorization for Travel to the U.K
Enacted January 8, 2025, the United Kingdom is now mandating that travelers from the U.S, whether transferring in the U.K or the U.K is their final destination, fill out an ETA prior to their trip. This is a late-stage Brexit policy of tightening immigration policies by prescreening visitors who do not need a visa to travel to the U.K.
The ETA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and each traveler in your party must have a valid ETA, including babies and children. The cost of the ETA is only 10 British Pounds, but this is important - apply directly with the UK government either online, or via their mobile app. There is a new cottage industry of companies willing to "help" you fill out your ETA and they are charging 100 British Pounds for the privilege.
The European ETIAS Takes Effect
Similar to the U.K ETA, the rest of Europe is now adopting the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), taking effect mid-2025.
Again an effort to stem illegal immigration, the ETIAS will be required for any travelers coming from one of 60 visa-exempt countries traveling to any of the 30 different European countries that have joined the ETIAS program.
Similar to the ETA, the ETIAS will be required for each member of your traveling party, and the cost per form is 7 Euros. Once completed, the ETIAS is valid for three-years, and entitles you to stay in European countries requiring an ETIAS for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
But what happens if you do not obtain an ETIAS? According to the official Travel Europe site, you will not be allowed to enter the country (leave the airport or dock), and you will get turned around back to your country of origin.
Americans Can Travel to China without a Visa
If China is on your bucket list, then 2025 is a banner year for your airline miles! Implemented at the end of 2024, China announced that it is expanding it's visa-free transit policy to allow travelers to stay in the country for up to 10 days without applying for a formal visa.
This is in an effort to attract more tourists to the country after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China, effectively shutting down travel to the nation over the next several years.
This new rule bumps the limit from the previous guideline of 72 hours to 10 days, with some restrictions.
For travelers coming from Europe, you get an even better deal as your guideline has been extended to up to 30 days, including business, tourism or even foreign exchange.
European Tourist Taxes Take Effect
Whether it's trying to drive more revenue for the country, or to try and curb extreme levels of tourism in specific cities, areas across Europe are implementing tourist taxes in 2025.
Pioneered in 2024 by Venice, tourist taxes are typically additional taxes added to the end of your hotel bill, though they can also reveal themselves in other areas such as tours of national monuments or sites. In some places, the taxes and fees are nominal ($3 to walk hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal, for example). In others, not so much.
Lisbon, Portugal, will see a doubling of its tourist tax in 2025. Barcelona, Spain, has seen the highest levels of overtourism to the point of locals taking to the streets in protest. In response, Barcelona has implemented a sliding scale tourist tax, with luxury travelers receiving the highest tax rate of $3.79 per night. Finally, Amsterdam, Netherlands, has the highest tourist tax rate in Europe, charging tourists an extra 12.5% per night on their hotel accommodation.
All of this is in an effort to prevent overtourism, especially after the pent up travel that stemmed from the Covid shutdowns in 2020 and 2021.
Are you traveling in 2025? Will any of these changes affect your travel plans? Let us know in the comments below!
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