Spain is likely one of the high vacation locations for Brits, however some areas have strict guidelines and hefty fines for vacationers who break them.
Concentrate on the principles or you possibly can land a hefty nice (Picture: SHansche through Getty Photos)
Spain is a favorite vacation spot for Brits, however over time points associated to unruly behaviour and overtourism have led to stricter rules for guests in lots of widespread locations. This consists of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, with new guidelines stopping sunbed reservation for prolonged durations, to recent vaping restrictions and even a regulation generally known as the ‘bikini ban’.
Brits ought to pay attention to these adjustments earlier than their subsequent vacation; breaching a few of these guidelines might end in a considerable nice. To help you, we have compiled an inventory of among the most vital guidelines and up to date amendments to remember forward of your subsequent Spanish escape.
Spain is clamping down on vaping in public areas (Picture: Getty Photos)
Vaping fines
Spain continues to clamp down on vaping, with penalties for vaping in prohibited areas being simply as extreme as these for smoking. In 2025, the nation applied an outside smoking ban, masking a spread of public areas, from restaurant and bar terraces to seashores.
The rule consists of smoking, vaping, shisha, any heated tobacco merchandise, and nicotine pouches, with fines starting from €30 to €2,000 (roughly £26 to £1,700), though first-time offenders are more likely to face a penalty on the decrease finish. You should definitely examine for indicators earlier than taking a puff in your vape.
Footwear restrictions
Planning to rent a automotive in Spain?
Consider carefully about your footwear selection earlier than setting off. While a scorching day would possibly tempt you to slide on flip-flops or slides for a leisurely coastal drive, doing so might land you with a considerable penalty.
Spanish driving rules stipulate that footwear should enable ‘free motion’ to function the pedals appropriately, which excludes objects resembling flip-flops and sandals, excessive heels, wedges, and even going barefoot. Law enforcement officials are authorised to impose fines starting from €80 to €200 (roughly £69 to £172) in the event that they consider you lack correct management of your car.
Due to this fact, should you’re embarking on a Spanish street journey, bear in mind to pack applicable sneakers to change into.
Sure resorts and bars are limiting how a lot individuals drink (Picture: Carlos Pereira through Getty Photos)
Gown codes and ‘bikini bans’
While visiting a Spanish coastal resort, it is commonplace to identify males wandering about topless or ladies sporting bikinis while travelling to and from the seashore. However, sure Spanish locations have grown weary of such shows and have applied stringent rules requiring vacationers to cowl up when away from seashores or poolside areas.
The International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace’s (FCDO) journey recommendation for Spain states: “In some elements of Spain it is unlawful to be on the street carrying solely a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested can also be unlawful in some areas in Spain. You can be fined should you’re caught carrying swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjoining streets.”
Penalties can attain as much as €500 in sure areas, roughly £430. Spain is not the one nation the place such guidelines apply – elements of Italy have additionally launched comparable restrictions, following complaints from locals about vacationers wandering round cities or trying to enter eating places of their beachwear.
Alcohol crackdowns and bans
For a lot of holidaymakers, a visit to Spain would not be full with out indulging in a sangria or two. Nevertheless, it is no secret that Brits can generally overindulge while on vacation, resulting in strict crackdowns and bans being enforced in areas weary of inebriated vacationers.
Within the Balearic Islands, notably in Magaluf and Playa de Palma in Majorca, in addition to San Antonio in Ibiza, there at the moment are prohibitions on completely happy hours, limitless drink offers, pub crawls, and occasion boat journeys. Some all-inclusive resorts in Majorca additionally limit every day drinks to 6; three at lunchtime and three at dinner, in an effort to curb extreme consuming and unruly behaviour.
Sure resorts on each the mainland and the islands are clamping down on avenue consuming, in addition to unauthorised events going down in villas and personal properties.
The FCDO additionally warns: “Motels and different institutions will evict you should you behave dangerously on balconies. You can additionally get a nice.”
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Reserving sunbeds
Reserving sunbeds with a towel stays a widespread apply amongst British holidaymakers, regardless of it being liable to annoy fellow travellers, however sure seashores at the moment are tackling the behaviour with penalties. At a resort close to Valencia, two pensioners had been handed £250 fines for reserving sunbeds by putting down towels earlier than 8am to safe a primary beachfront place.
While it is unbelievable to end in a nice, quite a few Spanish inns have taken motion towards sunbed monopolisers by confiscating their belongings or issuing warning playing cards if sunbeds are left vacant for a specified interval.
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