Tourists spent an estimated 3.08 billion nights in tourist accommodation across the European Union in 2025, marking the highest level ever recorded for EU tourism, according to new data from Eurostat.
The figure represents an increase of 61.5 million overnight stays, or around 2%, compared with 2024, reflecting continued growth in travel demand across the region.
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The data covers hotels, holiday rentals, short-stay accommodation and campsites across EU member states. It highlights the sustained recovery of the European tourism sector and the strong role of both domestic and international travel in driving accommodation demand.
International travel drives growth in EU tourism
Growth in EU tourism nights in 2025 was largely supported by rising international travel. Overnight stays by foreign visitors increased by 46.1 million, while domestic tourism added 15.4 million nights compared with the previous year.
Despite the stronger growth in international demand, the overall market remained balanced. Eurostat estimates show that international visitors accounted for 49% of all tourism nights, while domestic travellers represented 51% of overnight stays across the EU.
This balance between domestic and international demand has become a defining feature of the European travel market. Domestic tourism provides stability during periods of economic uncertainty, while international travel supports higher spending and cross-border mobility across destinations.
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By GlobalDataHotels remain the dominant accommodation type
Hotels continue to dominate the European accommodation sector. In 2025, hotels and similar establishments recorded around 1.9 billion overnight stays, accounting for about 63% of all tourism nights in the EU.
Other accommodation segments also played a significant role. Holiday dwellings and short-stay rentals generated roughly 743 million nights, representing 24% of total stays, while campsites and recreational vehicle parks accounted for about 413 million nights, or 13% of the total.
The data reflects the diversification of accommodation choices across Europe. While hotels remain the core of the sector, holiday rentals and other short-stay options continue to capture a growing share of leisure travel demand.
Most EU countries report higher overnight stays
The increase in tourist accommodation nights in Europe was recorded across most EU member states in 2025. The largest year-on-year increases were reported in Malta (+10%), Poland (+7%) and Latvia (+6%).
Only a small number of countries experienced declines, with Romania reporting a 1% fall and Ireland a 2% decrease in overnight stays compared with 2024.
The overall growth confirms that European tourism demand remains resilient, following the sector’s recovery after the pandemic period. The 2025 result also builds on the strong performance of 2024, when overnight stays in EU tourist accommodation first exceeded three billion nights.
For travel and hospitality businesses, the latest figures indicate sustained demand for accommodation across the EU, with both domestic tourism and international visitors continuing to shape the region’s tourism economy.
