New rules for Brits travelling to Europe this summer – don’t get caught out

NEW rules have been issued for Brits travelling to Europe this summer.

European holiday spots popular with UK tourists are cracking down on anti-social behaviour – including smoking bans and fines for falling asleep in public areas.

5

5

Croatia and Greece have also tightened rules around dress codes, with tourists also facing large fines if they breach laws on behaviour in public.

Spain

Officials in Malaga have introduced new rules as part of an aim to reduce the impact of stag and hen dos flooding the area.

Holiday-goers could now be fined up to £640 if they are caught naked or wearing only underwear in a public area under new laws brought in earlier this year.

Anyone carrying a naked inflatable doll may also receive the same penalty.

Authorities in the Majorcan capital of Palma are similarly looking to stamp out excessive alcohol consumption.

The Balearic Islands have also introduced new rules around drinking by limiting tourists to six alcoholic drinks per day and only consuming alcohol during mealtimes.

Officers now patrol around the clock to tackle antisocial behaviour, with the operation lasting until October 15.

The extra police officers are being readied to clamp down on rowdy holidaymakers and slap fines on venues breaking rules.

Smoking on beaches in Spain is also now banned as part of new rules introduced to tackle cigarette butts being left on its picturesque beaches.

Barcelona, Lanzarote and Teneride introduce the bans last year, while Ibiza, Menorca and Mallorca have now followed suit.

All tourists heading to Spain must now also prove they have enough funds to spend for the duration of their trip – a minimum of £92 a day – along with a return ticket.

Private parties at villas or private homes in Ibiza and Mallorca are now banned to help prevent serious accidents from taking place. Heavy fines may be introduced to any found to be taking place.

Officials in Playa de Palma, the capital of Mallorca, have introduced a dress code for certain restaurants.

Clothing including football shirts and swimwear will be banned.

Anyone shirtless in Barcelona, meanwhile, may be fined.

Greece

The Foreign Office warns Greek police “won’t accept behaviour tthey find rowdy or indecent”.

This particularly includes “excessive drinking”, which may be illegal and lead to an arrest and heavy fine.

Some fancy dress outfits may also be deemed offensive and breach decency laws.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known in the UK as laughing gas, is illegal to buy or sell and any tourist found in possession may be arrested or fined.

Tourists are also advised not to wear high heels to the country’s famous monuments, as this may also result in heavy fines.

It has been illegal to wear high heels to Greece’s historic sites since 2009.

Taking white pebbles from the island of Skiathos could also hit holidaymakers with a fine of up to £855.

It comes amid concern over the island’s changing landscape, with hundreds of tourists keeping pebbles as souvenirs.

Croatia

In some of the country’s town centres, authorities may issue on the spot fines for behaviour that is considered “inappropriate”.

This includes walking shirtless, wearing clothing that promotes drug use and sleeping in public areas.

Climbing on monuments, urinating or vomiting in a public space and drinking alcohol near protected public spaces can also land you with a fine.

Fines can be up to €4000, but most towns have signs advising on actions that are prohibited under law.

Split became the first Croatian city to tackle rowdy behaviour bu introducing new regulations during the summer months.

Officers now have powers to issue fines of around £255 for visitors who fall asleep or vomit in public areas.

5

5

5