This summer, several European countries have introduced stiff fines for unruly holidaymakers, targeting everything from wearing flip-flops while driving to smoking on beaches. The measures, which include penalties of up to €3,000 (£2,615) for public drinking in Spain's Balearic Islands, aim to protect residents and responsible tourists, authorities say.
In Portugal's Albufeira, wearing swimwear away from the beach can cost up to €1,500 (£1,307), while in Malaga, Spain, a new 10-point campaign outlines expected behaviour, with fines of up to €750 (£650) for non-compliance. Even minor infractions, like reserving a sunbed and not using it, could hit holiday budgets.
The crackdown extends beyond beaches: Ryanair can charge disruptive passengers €500 (£435) or more; hiking Italy's Cinque Terre in inappropriate footwear risks a €2,500 (£2,180) fine; and collecting a seashell in Greece could cost €1,000 (£870). France now fines smokers €90 (£78) on the spot for lighting up in public beaches and playgrounds.
Officials say the rules are about encouraging respectful travel. “The rules, while they might sound rigid and punitive, are all about encouraging responsible and empathetic travelling,” said Jessica Harvey Taylor of the Spanish Tourism Office. Local leaders echo this: “Tourism cannot be a burden on citizens,” said Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià, Mallorca.
Responsible tourism advocates note a shift in tolerance. “Locals are fed up,” said Birgitta Spee-König. “These fines are signals that communities want to reclaim space. It's not that tourists are worse – it's more that the tolerance has gone.”
