Headlines circulating this week suggest British tourists could be unwelcome on Spanish soil – so what’s the reality?

At the moment, "Spain tourist ban" is one of the biggest search trends in the entire United States. It is no secret by now, Spain is doing its part to avoid overtourism. They set a two-year ban on short-term rentals earlier in the year in Alicante.

The biggest change is that the EU's Entry and Exit System (EES) will finally be launched in 2025, most likely in the first half of the year.

Spain isn’t banning tourists but is introducing new measures to manage overtourism and housing issues, including freezing short-term rentals in some areas.

Spain attracted a whopping 94 million tourists last year, making it one of the most visited countries on earth.

Holiday-lovers are panicking over Spain’s so-called ‘tourist ban’, but what’s the reality behind the headlines?

Alicante and Madrid have enacted similar bans over the past 12 months, with Seville and other Spanish cities expected to follow suit. The Malaga city ban is also anticipated to be extended beyond its initial three-year term.

Protesters have demanded change in popular tourist spots across Spain and visitors dining in the city of Barcelona were even squirted with water pistols last July. A ban on short-term holiday rentals in that major city is due to be implemented from 2028, with the mayor saying it will increase housing supply for residents.

While you'll still be able to book trips to Spain, Spanish governments are instituting regulations that may effect your trip.

Málaga, Spain, implemented a ban on new vacation rentals being registered in 43 of its neighborhoods, where they make up over 8% of the residences. While not exactly a tourist ban, the move aims to crack down on overtourism in Málaga,