![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_271604768-e4db.jpg\")
\n\t\tSpain is about to get even tougher on anyone driving under the influence (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tSpain is about to get even tougher on anyone driving under the influence (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Tourists, be warned: Spain<\/a> is proposing stricter drink-driving laws, and they could be enforced by the end of the year.<\/p>\n The country\u2019s Direcci\u00f3n General de Tr\u00e1fico (DGT) wants to introduce new alcohol<\/a> rules for all drivers \u2014 including those on bicycles and e-scooters<\/a> \u2014 by the end of the year.<\/p>\n The aim is for a universal alcohol limit of 0.2g per litre in the blood or 0.1mg per litre in breath. That would mean almost zero alcohol consumption before getting behind the wheel. <\/p>\n Even a small glass of wine or beer could put you over the threshold.<\/p>\n The idea is to significantly reduce alcohol-related accidents and deaths in Spain, which caused 312 fatalities and 518 serious injuries from 4,283 incidents in 2022.<\/p>\n The proposal comes days after a Spanish man was involved in a shocking accident in Palma<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old, who was driving drunk and without a license, hit another vehicle outside a bar, then walked in and ordered a beer.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018We were all in the bar and suddenly we saw him coming straight towards us. It was a shock and we were lucky that the high kerb slowed the car down, otherwise it would have crashed into the building,\u2019 the owner of the Taberna Can Bruno told the Majorca Daily Bulletin<\/a>.<\/p>\n If they are introduced, those who fail to follow the new rules could face serious consequences under Spanish law.<\/p>\n Drivers could be slapped with fines of between \u20ac500 (\u00a3435) and \u20ac1,000 (\u00a3875) if caught over the limit, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.<\/p>\n The fine depends on the alcohol level and if you are a repeat offender.<\/p>\n \t\t Other punishments could include a three to six-month prison sentence, community service, or a driving ban of up to four years. <\/p>\n Spain uses a 12-point system, so drivers could also face having points deducted from their license.<\/p>\n Refusing a breathalyser test is another serious and separate offense, and could land you in deep trouble with the authorities.<\/p>\n Jes\u00fas Moncl\u00fas, director of the Road Safety and Prevention Area at the Mapfre Foundation, said the proposal should be understood as \u2018not a single alcoholic drink if I\u2019m going to drive.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \u00c1lvaro G\u00f3mez, director of the DGT\u2019s National Road Safety Observatory, explained that reducing the maximum legal blood alcohol level hopes to \u2018reduce the percentage of drivers who get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, and thus the associated accidents.\u2019<\/p>\n He continued: \u2018The impact is expected not only in the 0.2-0.5g\/l limit, but also at higher levels. <\/p>\n \u2018In Sweden<\/a> and Norway<\/a>, two benchmark countries, a significant reduction in accidents was observed after implementing a 0.2g\/l limit.\u2019<\/p>\n Ultimately, because alcohol tolerance varies based on each individual, a zero-tolerance policy is the safest approach.<\/p>\n If you are planning on driving in Spain, it\u2019s best not to drink. If you are planning on drinking, it\u2019s best not to drive. Simple.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSpain’s new alcohol laws\t\t\t<\/p>\n The proposed drink-driving rules aren\u2019t the only new alcohol laws in Spain<\/a>. The country has implemented stricter regulations recently to curb anti-social tourist behaviour in recent years.<\/p>\n The six-drink cap<\/strong><\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Playa de Palma, S\u2019Arenal and Magaluf, all in Mallorca, and the West End of San Antonio, Ibiza<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once upon a time, all-inclusive deals meant you could guzzle down as much food and booze as you could manage. On the party islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, guests now have a six-drink limit. Under the rules, you can have three drinks<\/a> at lunch, and a further three at dinner.<\/p>\n However, the cap only applies to regions that have been badly affected by disruptive guests.<\/p>\n On Magaluf\u2019s infamous strip, pub crawls have also been banned.<\/p>\n Alcohol ban<\/strong><\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Llucmajor, Palma, Calvia (Magaluf) in Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a02024.<\/p>\n A\u00a0late night drinks ban<\/a>\u00a0prohibiting the sale of alcoholic drinks from 9.30pm to 8am the next day was introduced last year.<\/p>\n The ban means you can\u2019t just stock up on drinks before the curfew and continue drinking through the night, as you won\u2019t be allowed to drink on public roads during these times.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1463852112-77d3.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe rules are, if you drink, don\u2019t drive (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2209616752-6ee4.jpg\")
\n\t\tOne beer would be enough to put you over the limit under the new proposal (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-1681252669-b4fb.jpg\")
\n\t\tTourists have been subject to strict new laws in Spain in recent years (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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