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According to Reuters, the FTSEurofirst 300 index was 1.5 per cent lower on 5,255.36 points by 08:04 BST, with banks among the biggest fallers.
Global equity strategist for Cantor Fitzgerald Stephen Pope said the changes, which include the banning of short-selling some forms of bonds, credit protection and stocks, has left investors "somewhat spooked".
"The worry is whether other markets will try and copy [the move]," he remarked.
On the STOXX Europe 600 banking index, Banco Santander, BBVA, Unicredit, BBVA and HSBC shed between 0.8 per cent and 3.7 per cent, with the index overall beginning the day down 2.1 per cent.
In London, the FTSE 100 had retreated 1.26 per cent to 5,240.69 points by 08:38 BST, with mining firms, retailers and banks among those sliding.
At the time of writing, just one company - Aggreko - was in positive territory.
Posted by Greg Secker
