Many tourists are unaware of the regulations which could land them hefty fines.
Many tourists are unaware of the regulations which could land them hefty fines.
UK tourists in Majorca face a £500 fine for breaking a new rule on beaches in the European Union holiday hotspot of Spain. Many tourists are unaware of the regulations which could land them hefty fines.
Majorca holidaymakers could be fined up to €600 (£518) for buying from illegal traders on the streets. British tourists face fines of between €85 and €600 for purchasing the goods.
The vendors themselves face steeper penalties of between €750 and €1,500 if caught. Tourist Marie Herzberger said: “We don’t usually buy from street vendors, but yesterday we were a bit tipsy and bought sunglasses.”
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Four young German tourists from North Rhine-Westphalia displayed their purchases – a plush pig, adhesive rubber finger, and sunglasses – while dining at a beachfront restaurant.
When questioned about vaping devices, one told Majorca Daily Bulletin he mistakenly believed these weren’t covered by the regulations. “I didn’t know that was illegal,” he confessed.
Mallorca Magazin, conducted interviews in Playa de Palma to assess tourists’ awareness of the law. The investigation revealed that most visitors are oblivious to the fact that purchasing any items – whether counterfeit branded products, cheap sunglasses, or toys – from unlicensed vendors constitutes an offence.
It comes as UK tourists are warned over little-known clothing laws in the Balearic Islands, too. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: “In some parts of Spain it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts.
“Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.”
The Balearics includes Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza, with other go-to destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria. Other popular hotspots include the likes of the Costa del Sol and Benidorm in Alicante too.