Home » TOURISM NEWS » United Kingdom, France, and Germany Tourists Warned of New Smoking Ban in Spain as British Airways and Air France Lead Increased Arrivals
Published on
October 12, 2025
United Kingdom, France, and Germany tourists are being warned of Spain’s new smoking and vaping ban, which is set to significantly impact outdoor public spaces across the country. With an influx of visitors from these nations, particularly due to increased flights from British Airways and Air France, the tourism industry is preparing for shifts in travel habits. This new law, expected to affect beaches, terraces, and transport hubs, comes as part of Spain’s broader efforts to improve public health and reduce environmental impact. As Spain continues to be a top European destination, it is essential for travelers to be aware of these regulations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay without facing fines.
Spain Imposes Restrictions on Smoking in Certain Public Areas in Preparation for the Expected Growth in Tourists from the UK, France, and Germany
With Spain being such a favorite vacation spot, it is no wonder these countries are the top family travelers to Spain. Spain is expecting a considerable increase in international visitors, reaching close to 66 million in 2025. However, visitors from these three countries will need to be educated on the recent Spain smoking and vaping policies in place, especially people who are familiar and used to the open relaxed policies on outdoor smoking. Currently, the most vacationing travelers to Spain are British Airways and Air France. Will policy restrictions affect the hospitality and tourism industry in Spain? This article will expand on the smoking restrictions and how it will affect international tourists, policies of the above-mentioned airlines, and additional tourist information about Spain to help make their travels easier.
Smoking Ban in Spain: What Tourists Should Know
As of 2025, Spain has some of the most restrictive smoking laws in the European Union, including the banning of smoking and vaping in all outdoor public areas, including beaches, terraces, sports stadiums, public transport stops, and transport hubs. Spain has had indoor public smoking bans since 2011, so this planned outdoor expansion is a big change in Spain’s public health policy.
For tourists, this means that the beaches, outdoor cafes, and transport stations that had relaxed rules, and that they could enjoy while smoking a cigarette or vaping, now also have a complete smoking and vaping ban. Fines have also been increased with the new law, with up to 450 euros in penalties for smoking in banned areas. Spain’s new laws will impact tourists from outside the European Union, especially those from the United Kingdom, where outdoor public smoking laws are much more relaxed. Smoking and dining at outdoor restaurants and smoking on public beaches are very accepted UK practices, so Spain’s new law will come as a surprise to UK visitors.
Spanish Holiday Smoking Ban Shock English Travelers
SpaIn 2024 expects 18.4 million British Travelers. These tourists are vacationers coming from one of Spain’s largest markets, the United Kingdom. British Airways, Spain’s flagship airline, increased the amount of flights for the tourist season to Spain, to the major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valenica, and tourist islands, Tenerife and Mallorca).
UK passengers now find it quite difficult to adapt to the Spanish law of no smoking in the majority of public areas. this includes the Spanish beaches, and outdoor areas. The absence of smoking areas which are very common in the UK public outdoor spaces, can be very surprising for English travelers. Smoking and the absence of enforcement of no smoking laws are very common in UK outdoor spaces. Travellers in the UK should always be attentive and look for signs explaining the no smoking public areas. and should comply to user regulations to not receive fines and Legal sanctions.
Increased Arrivals but New Restrictions: Germany and France
Like the UK, France and Germany are also expected increases in trips to Spain. French tourists accounted for 12.9 million visits to Spain in 2024, and German tourists made 11.9 million visits. Air France and Lufthansa are widening their service to Spain by adding flights to cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. Air France is also adding routes to the Costa Brava and the Canary Islands, which are popular for leisure tourists.
Similarly to UK tourists, visitors from France and Germany will experience challenges with the new smoking regulations in Spain. In France and Germany, restrictions are more relaxed, and outdoor smoking in public areas like cafes is commonplace. These tourists will have to adapt to Spain’s smoking regulations to avoid unpleasant surprises with fines.
How Spain’s Smoking Ban Impacts the Hospitality Industry
The new law could affect Spain’s hospitality industry, which includes the lively atmosphere of outdoor dining. In coastal regions, like the Canary Islands and Costa del Sol, outdoor terraces and beach bars are a key part of the Spanish dining experience. These spaces are critical for restaurants, bars, and hotels to attain and retain clientele. Adaptation is also a part of the changes that major hotel chains like Melia Hotels International, Barceló, and Iberostar will need to make. To comply with the law, the hospitality industry will have to make changes, whether by providing designated outdoor smoking areas or by rethinking the outdoor areas of their facilities.
The new law could benefit hotels because they will attract non-smoking tourists. Still, beach resort businesses could lose outdoor customers, especially in areas where the clientele tends to be smokers, and will need to make changes in order to retain customers.
What Tourists Can Do to Avoid Penalties
Tourists planning to visit Spain should remember the following tips to best observe the smoking laws:
- Learn the Laws Before Traveling: Spain is made up of multiple autonomous regions, each with their own laws and regulations. When approaching a beach or other outdoor public spaces, make sure to check any posted signs for information regarding the smoking policy. Larger tourist destinations, such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, tend to have more rigid regulations compared to rural regions.
- Identify and Use the Smoking Zones: Public facilities, including beaches, public transit stations, and sports arenas have clearly marked and designated smoking zones. You should have no trouble avoiding any fines if you pay attention to the posted signs.
- Know About the Penalties: Fines for smoking in prohibited areas are usually very costly. Always make sure to check that you’re in a legal smoking area to avoid fines.
- Understand the Change: Spain is undergoing a public health and environmental protective regulation change. Allowing tourists to respect the change and laws provides a better experience for all.
- Travel Insurance: Be sure your travel insurance policy includes coverage for any incidents related to smoking fines and health issues while traveling in Spain. Always plan for the unexpected.
Addition of Flights and New Tourism Packages
Airlines such as British Airways and Air France have seen the changes in the demand in travel to Spain. British Airways has been adding extra flights in the route of costumers to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Airlines has started adding special Holiday Packages to Spain where they combine flights, hotels and cars rentals that makes it easy to tourists to book a complete and affordable to Spain.
Air France has added extra flights to Spain in the route from France to Madrid. Due to the new smoking restrictions it is easy for French tourists to visit Spain. Both airlines have also added extra flights to Spain in the route from France to Madrid. Both airlines have taken new practices to travel easier to Spain, for the smoking restrictions. Spain is a very important first European Destination.
Travel Tips for Tourists Visiting Spain
- Discover More of Spain: Spain leave a lot of places with a lot of culture history and diversity in nature. People can go to the Italy museum to which is very known to the world to Spain and museo Prado to Madrid, or the amazing gothic district in Barcelona. Or even go to the Pyrenees to do a jump and have a Hike.
- Think Carefully About Where You’ll Stay: Because of the rise in popularity of tourist destinations in Spain, more hotels are beginning to accommodate non-smokers. Be sure to check each hotel’s smoking policy before you confirm your reservation.
- Ride the Bus or Train: Spain’s public transportation system is comprehensive and very easy to navigate. You can take the bus or the train to see a lot of the country’s prime attractions, and you won’t have to think about restrictions on smoking.
- Understand the Changes in the Law: Spain’s smoking regulations are changing, and that means tourists need to understand the new regulations to avoid changing their travel plans. Be sure to check the latest regulations from the Spanish Minitry of Health and the Tourism authorities.
United Kingdom, France, and Germany tourists are facing Spain’s new smoking and vaping ban, impacting popular outdoor spaces. With British Airways and Air France increasing arrivals, travelers must adjust to these changes for a hassle-free experience.
Changing to Spain’s New Smoking Laws
Spain’s new restrictions on smoking and vaping have become part of the day for residents and vacationers alike. This will be important to visitors from the United Kingdom and near the continent. Spain is still one of the main destinations for international passengers as carriers like Air France and British Airways increase their offerings to Spain. Spain’s pride is their climate, culture, and generosity. For this reason, as tourists respect their pride and stay informed, there will be no unpleasant surprises, like fines.
Spain’s hospitality and, therefore, tourism, will continue to grow. With the number of air travelers and tourism packages, visitors will be able to see Spain fully, and joyfully, while also helping maintain the new smoking policies that exist to benefit public health and cleanliness.
