European tourism has been largely disrupted by the pandemic throughout 2020. In this study, the economic and social effects of COVID-19 on the tourism sector of European countries were examined. To understand the extent of the pandemic on European tourism, policies followed by countries, physical tourism flows of the accommodation sector, tourism employment, and turnover rates were considered. The study showed that the European tourism sector, especially after the second half of 2020, was hit socially and economically by the devastating effects of the pandemic. In addition, the study revealed the necessity for radical regulations within the sector in the post-pandemic period.