British tourists face financial penalties for breaking the sanitary rule at beaches and holiday destinations across the European Union destination.
UK tourists who break Spain beach rule face £593 fine ‘if identified’
Spain holidaymakers have been reminded urinating in the sea can lead to a €705 (£593) fine. British tourists face financial penalties for breaking the sanitary rule at beaches and holiday destinations across the European Union destination.
Spain beach fines stretch to pets on the beach, which is prohibited on most beaches (except guide dogs), with fines up to £2.5k (€3k).Beach parties and loud music is strictly regulated, too.
Despite the new legislation, it is unclear how tourists guilty of “physiological evacuation at sea and on the beach” will be identified for the fines to be enforced. The new restrictions also have an emphasis on keeping dogs out of the sea and on dog-designated beaches.
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Fines can reach £18.55 (€22) per square yard for unauthorised gatherings and £632 (€750) for playing music too loudly. Selling goods without a permit can cost up to £1.2k (€1.5k).
Some municipalities, like Valencia, impose fines between £1.2k (€1,501) and £2.5k (€3k). Using soap or shampoo at beach showers is banned nationwide, punishable by a £632 (€750) fine.
Sleeping overnight on the beach can spark fines range from £33 (€40) to £1.2k (€1.5k), especially in Valencia. Reserving beach spots with towels or umbrellas can cost up to £632 (€750) in Benidorm and £252 (€300) in Malaga.
Swimming under a red flag is deemed very dangerous—and expensive—with fines up to £2.5k (€3.k). Playing paddle tennis is forbidden in areas like Benidorm and San Javier, Murcia, with fines up to £2.5k (€3k).
No smoking areas are also in force. Many beaches are now smoke-free zones. Fines for smoking where it’s banned can reach £379 (€450).
Though sometimes overlooked, fines for drinking on the beach or promenade can range from £1.2k (€1,501) to £2.5k (€3k). Leaving rubbish and littering behind could cost you between £633 (€751) and £1,264 (€1,500), too.