Brits in Spain face huge £2,500 fines for common behaviour as rules are 'strictly enforced'

Spain has introduced a series of strict new laws that all British holidaymakers need to be aware of - with hefty fines being dished out in popular tourist spots

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Claire Schofield

Milo Boyd

12:52, 31 DEC 2024

British holidaymakers heading to Spain are being warned they could face fines of up to £2,484 for breaking strict local laws. The popular tourist spot is cracking down on public drinking and rowdy behaviour, with hefty penalties handed out in major hotspots for those who break the rules.

Alcohol consumption is being limited in all three main resorts in Majorca, including Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia, as well as San Antonio, in an effort to tackle antisocial behaviour. The alcohol ban extends 1.85km off the coast in all four areas, where party boats are banned from approaching, and there's been a clampdown on happy hours, public drinking and alcohol sales between 9.30pm and 8.00am.

If public drinking leads to disturbances or crowds, tourists could face fines ranging from £580 to £1,242 (€750 to €1,500), while in more serious cases, fines can soar up to £2,484 (€3,000) and offenders may be ordered to report back to their embassy. The Spanish government has allocated up to €16 million to enforce the public drinking ban, with security teams actively patrolling popular tourist hubs, particularly during peak times like Christmas and New Year.

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Experts at One Sure Insurance are advising British holidaymakers to be aware of the strict rules on public drinking that could land them in trouble in popular tourist destinations, according to the Express. .

As Brits prepare to jet off for a festive getaway, a spokesperson has issued a stern warning: "As British tourists head abroad to enjoy the Christmas period or New Year, there is an increased risk of them unintentionally breaking local laws that have recently been introduced or tightened.", reports the Mirror.

In Spain, authorities are cracking down on rowdy behaviour, with the spokesperson cautioning, "With mass tourism a growing issue across Spain, the government has made it clear that they are committed to enforcing fines for those engaging in disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, especially around the busy Christmas and New Year period."

Visitors need to be mindful of the strict enforcement of these laws to avoid hefty fines. Additionally, measures like the public drinking ban and other restrictions are now permanent fixtures, with the spokesperson noting, "The government has made it clear that laws such as the public drinking ban, as well as restrictions on things like party boat trips, pub crawls, and alcohol sales after hours, are not just temporary measures, but long-term regulations in place until at least 2027."

However, drinking laws aren't the only potential pitfall for tourists in Spain.

A €100 fine (£90) awaits those who discard their bus tickets before reaching their destination, and public transport users could face penalties if they can't produce a valid ticket, particularly in cities like Madrid and Barcelona where random ticket inspections are common. Spain takes a hard line on littering, particularly in its major cities striving for sustainability.