What EU country has the highest percentage of overnight stays from foreign visitors?

Malta recorded the highest percentage of overnight stays from foreign visitors (91%) in the EU in the first quarter of 2024, ahead of Cyprus (87%) and Luxembourg (82%), new data from Eurostat has found.

Across the European Union, foreign visitors accounted for 45% of all overnight stays in the first three months of the year, however large differences were recorded among different EU countries, the data showed.

For example, foreign guests accounted for just one fifth of overnight stays in Poland, Romania and Germany (19%, 20% and 20%, respectively).

In total, there were 452.6 million overnight stays in tourist accommodation across the EU in the first quarter, which is a 7% increase on the same period in 2023.

Month to month

In January, there were 133.9 million nights recorded, reflecting a 3% increase compared to January 2023. February saw 149.2 million nights, up by 6%, and March recorded 169.5 million nights, a 9% increase from the same month last year, Eurostat said.

Elsewhere, the number of nights spent by foreign visitors increased by 11% in the quarter compared to the same period in 2023, while domestic overnight stays rose by 4%.

The most significant increases in overnight stays by foreign visitors were seen in Cyprus (+23%), Croatia (+22%), and both Malta and Luxembourg (+21%). Conversely, the smallest increases were recorded in Lithuania, Poland, and Greece, each with a 3% rise.

Nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments (March 2024)