(Updated 2024) While the popularity of a tattoo style shouldn't have too big of an influence on your choice, it is always a good idea to stay informed on the top trends at the moment. The panorama of tattoos is constantly evolving and this allows new skills, specialties, and styles to emerge.

The internationally acclaimed tattoo studio, Aureo Roma, has collected for you valuable information on the top tattoo trends in Europe. By the end of the article, you will have a clearer idea of where to get the best tattoo experience you can while living or traveling in European countries.

What are today’s most popular tattoo styles in Europe?

MICROREALISM

Despite the fact that there are countless tattoo styles in circulation nowadays, micro-realism remains one of the most appreciated and in demand all over the world and is getting increasingly popular in Europe as well.

This style comprises pieces of smaller dimensions performed with specific techniques that allow the artist to obtain an impressive number of details. Together with shading and creativity, this extraordinary detail leads to stunning results that may be mistaken for actual photographs on the skin. It is a style that requires excellent technical skills, as well as great precision and attention to detail.

Some artists can also create something more personalized using graphic effects or combinations with elements or styles that are not really realistic, giving the tattoo a unique result and a greater artistic value.

Realism in general is a guarantee of high-impact tattoos, often depicting portraits of loved ones or pets, famous or fictional characters, 3D decorative elements created in such a way that they appear to be grafted directly into muscles.

Micro-realistic tattoos are getting more and more appreciated as technology gets more sophisticated. It is also a style that is more elegant compared to many of the past, which is why it has started to intrigue even those who would never have thought of getting a tattoo.

COLOR MICROREALISM

When you decide to get a tattoo, there are plenty of options to consider, and one of the most long-standing issues is whether to get a black and white piece or a color one.

Sometimes the choice is naturally driven by the style, but when it comes to micro-realism a lot of thinking comes into play.

Color is a great option if you are looking for a greater visual impact. Plus, it works very well with micro-realism: in fact, it helps create that stunning 3D effect that can deceive the eye when it is looking at portraits, art masterpieces or everyday-life objects on your skin. Furthermore, if you have a bright personality and want your tattoo to match that, a vibrantly colored piece may be the best option for you.

As for the color vibrancy over time, pigments will tend to lose their brightness, especially after exposure to sunlight. It is a process that you can notice in black and white tattoos as well, but the effect is even more evident in color tattoos, especially with lighter shades such as yellow and white.

In this case, if you have fair skin the colors will most likely remain vivid longer than on olive or darker complexions.

Whatever your taste or preference, always ask for advice from your tattoo artist. They will help you make the best decision based on the subject and the shade/s that suits you best.

And if you can't make up your mind, maybe having a little bit of both might be the best option in your case.

By the way, Europe is definitely not banning color tattoos. The new Regulation effective as of January 4, 2022 only banned colored pigments that contain excessive levels of elements such as nickel, mercury, chromium and especially isopropanol, an ingredient that is added to most colors to make them sterile. New colors are already available on the market.

MINIMALIST TATTOOS

Minimalist tattoos are extremely simple in terms of graphics. They often consist of a single line or very few compositional elements and they are generally tiny or small and low in details. Nonetheless, they will be small hidden gems on your body, delicate and elegant.

However, minimalist tattoos do not necessarily have to be small. Since the design is reduced to its bare essentials, they work best with a limited number of lines or without too many complex details. The idea behind minimalism is that "less is more," and minimal tattoos follow this very concept. They can be done in any color, however black ink tends to be the most common choice for a design as simple as possible.

Subtle yet impactful, this type of tattoo goes hand in hand with the thin-line style that has become increasingly popular over the past year. These delicate tattoos are easy to hide, making them a perfect choice for those who need to keep them covered up at work. They can be small, yet definitely striking, and pretty convenient when it comes to choosing the location on the body.

This style’s popularity in Europe comes as no surprise: they are easy to hide, plus they allow for a much less painful experience compared to larger, more detailed pieces.

BLACK AND GREY FLOWER TATTOOS

Of all tattoo designs, flowers will always remain a classic. With their harmonious colors and different shapes, they are certainly one of Nature's most wonderful creations. Women and men all over the world have associated many different meanings with them and artists have always been fascinated by their beauty.

When it comes to tattoos, they can be pictured alone or as part of a larger design. From traditional to ornamental, not to mention realism and micro-realism, flowers bloom as much on men as on women.

Black and grey flower tattoos stand out among others because of their incredible shading, and this makes them one of the hottest trends in Europe at the moment. People also love to mix natural elements inserting animals or insects, such as snakes intertwined with the leaves or butterflies and tiny ladybugs.

Whether you prefer a small or a bigger piece depending on your own taste, the result will be a stunning and delicate ornament on your skin.

WHERE ARE TATTOOS MOST POPULAR IN EUROPE?

It may come as a surprise, but according to press Italy is the most tattooed country in the world. 48% of its population can proudly show a tattoo on their skin.

It is followed by Sweden (47%), Spain (46%) and Denmark (41%). There is, however, an interesting distinction: while Italians mostly wear a single design, Swedes prefer to get more, with an average of four tattoos per person.

And this leads to our next and final question.

Where to Get the Best Tattoos in Europe?

You will find plenty of amazing artists in a country where tattoos are so popular. So why not travel to Italy to get a new piece to start or continue your collection?

The AUREO Team can make any tattoo request a reality!

Learn more

The Best Tattoos You Can Get in Europe