Holiday Abroad: Changes for Travellers in 2025

2025 is also expected to be a strong travel year. For car travellers within Europe, the vignette prices and newly introduced environmental zones are changing in particular, as reported by the ÖAMTC in a press release.

In Italy, the favourite travel destination of the Austrians, the entry fee in Venice is being expanded. Access restrictions for the Trevi Fountain in Rome are also being discussed. In addition, the entry modalities in the UK are changing. The changes for travellers in 2025 in detail:

Entry to Venice Extended to 54 Days

The city of Venice will again charge day tourists in 2025: The number of days on which the entry fee must be paid will almost double - from 29 days in 2024 to 54 days in the new year. "The price remains the same at five euros and the exceptions for locals, hotel guests and children under 14 years remain. What's new is that with spontaneous booking - from four days before visiting the city - the price increases to ten euros," says ÖAMTC travel expert Yvette Polasek.

Change in Entry Modalities in the UK from April 2, 2025

For a trip to the UK, travellers will now need a paid digital entry permit (ETA) in addition to a passport. Travellers from EU countries, including Austria, will need this ETA from April 2, 2025. The application is made online via a special website - an ETA must be applied for each person, including babies and children. The processing fee of ten pounds (approx. twelve euros) must be paid by credit or debit card.

Gradual Conversion of the Toll System and New Environmental Zone in France

In the coming years, the toll system in France will be gradually converted. In the future, toll fees can only be paid electronically via the "Free Flow" system. Currently, there are already three Free Flow sections in France - one of them has been active since December 2024 and affects the entire route of the A13 from Mantes to Caen in Normandy.

Also new is that in addition to a permanent environmental zone, the city of Paris has introduced a traffic-calmed zone from November 2024. The so-called ZTL (Zones à Trafic Limité), which is also known from Italy, is being introduced gradually. "The test phase is still in effect until the end of March - from April 2025, the ZTL applies from 0-24 hours and if disregarded, penalties can be expected," explains Polasek.

In Germany, the number of cities where an environmental badge is required has been reduced from just under 50 to 37. In many other European cities, new environmental zones are being set up. This is also the case in Poland: From 01.07.2025, an environmental zone will be introduced in Krakow.

New Vignette Prices from 2025 in Slovakia

"It's rather unusual, but all the more pleasing that the 10-day vignette is becoming cheaper in Slovakia - the price difference from the previous year is small, but in 2025 it will cost 10.80 instead of twelve euros. In contrast, the price for the annual vignette increases by 50 percent - from 60 to 90 euros," says Polasek. Vignette prices are also rising in Hungary and the Czech Republic, but only very slightly.

(Red)

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