Tourists from Western Europe, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, are once again rethinking their travel plans to the United States. Recent updates to U.S. travel policies, including stricter entry requirements, have raised concerns among European travelers.

These changes, prompted by heightened immigration enforcement and the need to declare gender assigned at birth, have created uncertainty for many potential visitors. As a result, some tourists are reassessing whether the U.S. remains a welcoming destination, especially with the risk of detention or arrest if they fail to meet new entry criteria. While the U.S. remains a popular travel choice, these regulatory shifts may lead to fewer visitors from these key European markets. The evolving situation is prompting many to consider alternative travel destinations in light of the added complexities and potential challenges of entering the U.S.

As President Donald Trump’s large-scale crackdown on illegal immigration intensifies, several European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, have recently updated their travel advisories for the United States. These warnings caution travelers about potential risks, including arrest or detention, if they fail to comply with increasingly stringent entry requirements. This heightened scrutiny comes at a time when tourism flows from Europe to the U.S. are showing both positive and negative trends, raising questions about how these travel advisories might affect future visitor numbers.

Germany, France, and the UK Update Travel Advice for the U.S.

The latest round of travel advice changes comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s commitment to ramp up immigration enforcement. As part of this crackdown, the U.S. government has been increasingly vigilant about enforcing visa and entry requirements, which has led to confusion and delays for travelers, particularly from countries that traditionally participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as Germany, France, and the UK.

Germany’s foreign ministry issued an updated advisory earlier this month, noting that U.S. entry is not guaranteed even if travelers have approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or a U.S. visa. This statement was in response to the recent detention of three German nationals, two of whom were returned to Germany, while the third case is still under investigation with the consulate in Boston involved. German authorities made it clear that the final decision on whether a passenger can enter the U.S. rests with U.S. border authorities, further adding to the uncertainty for travelers.

For French citizens, the travel advisory issued this week highlighted a significant change in the U.S. entry process. Travelers are now required to declare their gender assigned at birth when filling out visa or ESTA applications. This new requirement follows changes in U.S. regulations that could make it more difficult for transgender individuals to gain entry to the country, a concern also voiced by German and Finnish authorities. The shift comes after the U.S. implemented a Presidential Decree in January 2025, mandating that all visa applicants have a gender marker on their official documents that aligns with their biological sex.

What This Means for U.S. Tourism: Mixed Results from Key European Markets

These updates to travel advisories come at a time when there have been noticeable shifts in the number of visitors from key European markets to the U.S. According to the International Visitor Arrivals Program, which tracks data from the National Travel and Tourism Office, there has been a slight decline in the number of travelers visiting the U.S. from Germany in recent months. Specifically, there was a -1.6% difference in the number of Germans visiting the U.S. in January 2024 compared to the same month in 2025. February’s data, however, showed a more significant drop—8.5% compared to February 2024, reflecting potential impacts from the updated travel advisories.

While other parts of Western Europe saw a modest increase of 0.5% in January 2025, February figures showed a 3.9% decrease. Spain, for example, had a 5.3% increase in U.S. visitors in January 2025 compared to the previous year but recorded a decrease of 1.9% in February. The decrease in visitors during these winter months is significant, as this period typically sees a steady influx of tourists.

Italy and the United Kingdom have bucked the trend, showing positive growth. Italy saw a 5.2% increase in the number of visitors to the U.S. from January 2024 to January 2025, with a small but steady rise of 0.1% in February. The UK also saw a significant increase, with a 3.7% rise in January 2025 compared to the previous year and a notable 6.9% increase in February.

This mixed data underscores a broader uncertainty surrounding U.S. tourism from Europe, where some countries see growth while others experience a downturn. The updated travel warnings and stricter entry requirements could contribute to these fluctuating trends, particularly among travelers who may be hesitant to visit the U.S. due to concerns over the unpredictability of the entry process.

The Role of Immigration Policies and Travel Experience

The U.S. immigration crackdown, including the focus on deportations and heightened scrutiny at the border, has created a tense environment for international travelers. The increased likelihood of arrest or detention for those who do not meet entry requirements, coupled with the more intrusive gender declaration policy, has led to concerns among European travelers, especially transgender individuals.

The U.S. Department of State had previously clarified that U.S. visas are only issued to individuals whose gender matches the sex marker on their biological documents, as defined by Executive Order 14168. This directive has raised alarm among advocates for transgender rights, as it may create an additional barrier for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. on business or vacation.

For travelers from Germany, France, the UK, and other European nations, these new policies could lead to confusion, delays, and potential detentions. The heightened uncertainty may discourage some from visiting the U.S., particularly those who are traveling during periods of peak tourism.

The Future of U.S. Tourism: Will Visitor Numbers Be Affected Long-Term?

At this point, it is difficult to predict whether the updated travel warnings and stricter entry requirements will have a long-term impact on U.S. tourism from Europe. While the February figures show a decline in visitors from Germany, this drop could be attributed to a variety of factors, including seasonal travel fluctuations and concerns about the evolving entry process.

The question of whether these travel warnings will lead to a significant, sustained decrease in European visitors to the U.S. remains unanswered. Much will depend on how the U.S. government continues to enforce immigration policies, how travelers respond to these changes, and whether other European countries issue similar warnings.

One thing is clear: as the U.S. government continues to ramp up its immigration enforcement efforts, European travelers will likely face more hurdles when planning their trips to the U.S. Whether these changes will dampen the U.S. tourism industry or simply lead to a shift in visitor demographics remains to be seen.

Reactions from Travelers and Tourism Industry Experts

Travelers and industry experts alike are watching closely to see how these developments will affect U.S. tourism in the coming months and years. Some tourism professionals are concerned that stricter entry requirements, particularly those related to gender identity, could discourage certain groups of international visitors from traveling to the U.S. The impact may be particularly significant for destinations heavily reliant on European tourism, such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Florida.

Despite the uncertainties, some analysts believe that the U.S. will continue to be a top destination for international travelers, particularly from markets like the UK and Italy, which have shown consistent growth in visitor numbers. However, the evolving entry requirements and travel advisories may change the dynamics of U.S. tourism, with travelers looking for more predictable and welcoming destinations.

Conclusion: Shifting Dynamics in U.S. Tourism

The U.S. government’s increased immigration enforcement and the associated travel warnings from European nations are creating a volatile environment for tourism. As travelers from Germany, France, and the UK face more stringent entry requirements, the impact on visitor numbers is still uncertain. While the U.S. remains a top travel destination for many Europeans, these new challenges could lead to shifts in travel patterns.

Tourism professionals will need to closely monitor these changes to determine their long-term effects on U.S. tourism. Whether the travel restrictions and updated advisories will have a lasting impact on European visitors to the U.S. remains to be seen, but these developments are undeniably reshaping the future of international tourism to the United States.