How to apply in three easy steps
Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
| Create an account and provide contact details | Submit your application & supporting documents | Tell us how you learned about the award |
Create an account with your name and email and log in with the password. Now, provide all necessary contact details. If you already have an account, click "login" at the top of the page. | Provide a description of your city as a tourist destination in general and under each category. We also ask you to upload a signed endorsement from the city’s mayor. | Please indicate where you first heard about the European Capital of Tourism. |
- LAUNCHCompetition launch
7 April 2026
- SUBMISSION DEADLINEApplication submission date
12 June 2026, 17:00 CET
- EVALUATIONEvaluation period
June - August 2026
- SHORTLISTED CITIESAnnouncement of Shortlisted Cities
September 2026
- WINNEREuropean Jury Meeting & Announcement of the winner
November 2026
Eligibility
The competition is open to cities in EU Member States and Single Market Programme countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine), with demographic population between 25,000 – 100,000 inhabitants. For smaller states with total population below 1 million, cities with more than 5,000 inhabitants are eligible to apply. Population size should be checked against the EUROSTAT.
