Tourism in Natura 2000 Areas: The European Commission Has Published Guidelines

The European Commission has published new guidelines on the development and management of tourism in Natura 2000 sites. The document does not introduce any new legal obligations. Instead, it outlines how to plan tourism and recreational activities in a way that does not undermine the conservation objectives for habitats and species, while at the same time harnessing the economic potential of these areas.

Natura 2000 does not mean a ban on tourism

The Natura 2000 network comprises more than 27,000 sites in the member states and covers nearly one-fifth of the EU’s land area and more than 10 percent of its marine area. Merely being part of the network does not in itself mean that economic or tourist activities are prohibited. A prerequisite for tourism development in these areas is that planned activities comply with the conservation objectives established for the specific Natura 2000 site.

Commission Working Document SWD(2026) 236 outlines a four-step process. First, the pressures, threats, and potential benefits associated with tourism must be identified; next, the acceptable level of visitor traffic must be determined; communication with visitors must be ensured; and appropriate management measures must be implemented. These may include, among other things, zoning, seasonal access restrictions, designated trails, monitoring, and redirecting traffic away from the most sensitive areas.

It is not enough to simply count the number of visitors

The Commission notes that knowing the number of tourists alone is not sufficient to assess the actual risk. The type of activity undertaken, the location and time of the activity, and the cumulative impacts are also important. Therefore, the guidelines do not propose a single European visitor limit. The acceptable visitor load should be determined for a specific area and its conservation objectives.

The guidelines do not alter the obligations arising from the directives

The legal basis remains the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. Under Article 6 of the former, Member States are required to prevent the deterioration of habitats and the significant disturbance of species for which a given area has been designated. Plans or projects likely to have a significant impact on Natura 2000 sites are subject to assessment. The new guidelines do not alter these rules but explain how they should be taken into account when planning tourism activities.

In aquatic areas, the management of water traffic is key

The issue is particularly significant in the case of water bodies and wetlands. Among the examples cited, the Commission describes the Portuguese lagoons of Bertiandos and São Pedro d’Arcos, which are part of the Natura 2000 network and covered by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Visitor traffic there is directed along a wooden boardwalk with observation points, limiting access to the most sensitive parts of the wetland. In other examples, the document also points to the risk of water pollution and recreational pressures in marine areas.

The guidelines are primarily intended for the authorities responsible for Natura 2000 sites: site managers, the tourism industry, local governments, and civil society organizations. Their practical significance lies in moving away from the simple question of how many tourists can be admitted to a protected area. The Commission proposes a management approach based on habitat sensitivity, the nature of visitor traffic, and monitoring of its actual impact.

Sources:

European Commission, Commission Staff Working Document on Natura 2000 and Sustainable Tourism, SWD(2026) 236 final, July 14, 2026.
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/staff-working-document-natura-2000-and-sustainable-tourism_en

European Commission, ” Natura 2000 Network Offers Opportunities for Sustainable Tourism Across Europe,” July 14, 2026.
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/natura-2000-network-offers-sustainable-tourism-opportunities-2026-07-14_en