British tourists in Spain have been warned they could face fines of up to €250 (£210) for reserving sunbeds with towels or belongings. The warning comes from travel insurance comparison site Tiger.co.uk, which highlighted that the rules are already in force in popular areas such as Barcelona and the Costa Blanca.
The regulations were introduced last year following numerous complaints about sunbeds being left unattended for hours, causing overcrowding and disputes. In Calpe, on the Costa Blanca, police have been given the power to remove unattended sunbeds or towels left before 9:30am. Offenders must retrieve their belongings from a municipal depot and pay the fine.
Tourists who leave a spot unattended for more than three hours could also face similar penalties. The crackdown aims to prevent the so-called 'sunbed wars' that have become a common feature of summer holidays, with holidaymakers waking up early to reserve poolside loungers.
Hotels are also taking measures to combat the issue, with staff removing belongings left unattended for long periods. The rules apply to both beach and pool areas, and authorities are urging tourists to respect the regulations to avoid fines and conflicts.
