British tourists have been warned about potentially dangerous clothing choices abroad, as new data reveals over 37,000 UK nationals have been arrested overseas since 2016. The research, conducted by MoneySuperMarket using Foreign Office data, highlights that everyday items like camouflage clothing can lead to fines or penalties in certain countries.
Spain tops the list of countries where Brits are most likely to be arrested, with 8,998 arrests between 2016 and 2024. The United States follows with 5,775 arrests, while the United Arab Emirates ranks third with 2,236 arrests. Thailand and France round out the top five.
In 2024, 4,643 Brits were arrested abroad, the highest annual total since before the pandemic and a 10 per cent increase from 2023. While serious offences make headlines, many holidaymakers face trouble for lesser-known laws, such as wearing camouflage clothing, which is restricted in some nations.
Kara Gammell, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: 'While most travellers understand the basics of staying safe abroad, local laws and customs can differ significantly from the UK. Travel insurance is vital for protecting you if things go wrong on holiday, but it won't cover arrests or legal trouble abroad.'
The study found that just over five per cent of offences involved drug smuggling, and three per cent related to sexual offences. The remaining 92 per cent were classified as general or unknown. Experts advise researching local laws before travelling to avoid unexpected legal issues.
