Which Are The Most Visited Countries in the EU?

Key Takeaways

• France led the EU with 102.00 million tourist arrivals in 2025. Spain followed closely with 96.80 million.
• Six of the EU’s ten most visited countries sit on the Mediterranean or in Southern Europe. That group includes France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Croatia.
• 82% of Europeans planned to travel between April and September 2026. That is the highest share since 2020.
• Luxembourg recorded the fewest tourist arrivals in this dataset. It reached just 1.41 million in 2025.
• Weather explains part of Southern Europe’s lead. It’s travelers’ second most-cited reason for choosing a 2026 destination.

EU Countries With the Most International Tourist Arrivals

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Learn something new about Germany every week and make informed decisions with confidence.

France and Spain Are in a Tight Race for Most Visited EU Country

Summer is the EU’s busiest tourism season. Europeans are especially eager to travel this year.

International tourist arrivals across the EU’s 27 member states reached 529.6 million in 2025.

France recorded 102.00 million tourist arrivals in 2025. That is the highest number among the 26 EU countries covered.

France’s lead traces partly to its regional and seasonal spread. Visitors are drawn beyond Paris to wine regions, coastlines, and mountains throughout the year.

Spain reached 96.80 million tourist arrivals. That trails France by just 5%.

Spain’s pull traces to its established sun-and-beach reputation, especially in the Canary Islands and along the Mediterranean coast.

Germany was Spain’s third-largest source market in 2025, after the UK and France.

Southern and Mediterranean Destinations Fill Majority of EU’s Top Tourist Rankings

Six of the EU’s ten most visited countries sit on the Mediterranean or in Southern Europe.

Alongside France, Spain, and Italy, that group includes Greece, Portugal, and Croatia.

That pattern lines up with current demand, not just past popularity. In April 2026, 82% of Europeans said they planned to travel between April and September that year.

That is the highest share since 2020. Southern and Mediterranean destinations are pulling nearly 60% of that 2026 travel demand:

• Spain: 14%
• Italy: 11%
• France: 8%
• Greece: 6%
• Portugal: 6%

Those figures are travelers’ stated destination preferences for spring and summer 2026, not arrival counts.

Weather helps explain the pull toward the south. It ranked as travelers’ second most-cited reason for choosing a 2026 destination, just behind safety.

Luxembourg and Latvia Recorded the Fewest Tourist Arrivals Among EU Countries

Luxembourg recorded 1.41 million tourist arrivals in 2025. That is the fewest among the 26 EU countries covered.

Latvia recorded the second-fewest total. It reached 1.67 million tourist arrivals.

Country size explains Luxembourg’s and Latvia’s totals, not falling demand. Luxembourg’s population is smaller than many single cities elsewhere in the EU.

Southern Europe’s lead reflects more than history. It reflects what today’s travelers say they want, from climate to culture.

That demand is likely to widen the gap between the top of this ranking and the rest of the EU before autumn arrives.