British tourists in Spain warned over mistakes that could cost £500

Brits travelling to Spain have been warned about potential fines due to strict new rules being implemented during their holiday. Holiday-goers heading to the popular European country could face fines of up to £500 for inappropriate behaviour, according to travel insurance experts at One Sure Insurance.

Against the backdrop of concerning behaviour on its beaches, several Spanish resorts have introduced penalties for activities such as smoking, drinking, or even wearing football shirts. The push for greater regulation has also led to tighter alcohol restrictions in some popular spots throughout Spain.

The UK Foreign Office has urged travellers to abide by all local laws while abroad to avoid fines and penalties. An expert from One Sure Insurance explained the increasingly strict measures. They said: "As the Euros kick off this month, we are seeing increasing numbers of British tourists head to their holiday destinations to enjoy matches in the sun."

The expert added: "This has meant increasing bans on specific clothing items including football shirts and novelty wear to promote a more respectful environment," reports the Express.

Significantly, Majorca is cracking down on the kind of attire associated with disruptive tourism. The spokesperson warned: "We've also seen that wearing just a bikini or being bare-chested with swimming shorts away from the beach could land tourists fines of up to £500 in various locations."

In resort areas of Majorca, Magaluf (Calvia), Playa de Palma, Ibiza and San Antonio (San Antoni de Portmany), local legislation has constrained alcohol consumption. Banned are happy hours offering cheap drinks, open bars (including all-you-can-drink arrangements), vending machines selling alcohol, self-service alcohol, pub-crawls, party boat trips, as well as, off-licence sales of alcohol between 9.30pm and 8.00am.

Smoking in public zones such as beaches and restaurant terraces can result in fines of up to €2,000 (approximately £1,700) in several regions. An alcoholic drink on the beach may incur a £650 fine, while discarding a cigarette butt or litter from a moving vehicle can carry a penalty of 4 points and 200 euros.

Additionally, tourists could face penalties for reckless balcony behaviour, with the Foreign Office warning that establishments including hotels are authorised to evict customers acting dangerously on balconies. Conservation measures for the local marine wildlife have brought in a £560 penalty for the use of soap or shampoo at beaches while rinsing off.

One Sure Insurance experts stated: "We are urging all travellers to familiarise themselves with these regulations before departing to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday experience."

Britons also need to be aware of a recent Spanish law amendment which could result in fines reaching up to £8,000. "Spain has recently announced that they will be issuing fines to British tourists if they don't have proof of accommodation when travelling," explained Dom Aldworth, brand marketing coordinator at Slingo.

This rule applies to all non-EU members visiting Spain, not just British tourists.