Holiday hotspot loved by Brits set to get strict new law resulting in £1,250 fine for wearing bikini or swim shorts
Nothing beats a good summer holiday abroad. Chilling by the pool with a pint, or taking a stroll through the town while getting gloriously tanned in your bikini.
Well, there's some bad news I'm afraid as yet another European country have hit the breaks on Brits having too much fun abroad.
First we had Spain cracking down on Brits behaving badly by reducing package holiday drink limits, and now Portugal his also set to tighten up its rules, but this time, it's not about booze.
The City Council in Albufeira, Portugal has voted to pass a new rule that will see holiday makers being fined for wearing a bikini, or swim shorts (without a shirt) up to €1,500 (£1,250). So putting a shirt on in public could not only save you from a nasty sun burn, it could also save you from burning a hole in your wallet too.
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Of course, the rule only applies to those who are deemed as being dressed inappropriately in public places, other than the beach. If you're on the beach, you're still OK to wear a bikini or swim shorts, without worrying about being fined.
Albufeira's new 'code of conduct' document will now head to the municipal assembly for further debate, and will then come into force if approved there.
Mayor José Carlos Rolo said it was an 'important step towards fighting the negative image of tourism in the borough and promoting harmony between residents and tourists'.
According to Last Night of Freedom, the UK's leading stag and hen do organiser, tourists could also face fines for obscene fancy dress, public nudity and outdoor sex.
That's not the only restrictions coming in to play which Brits heading of to Portugal this year need to worry about.
On top of the new rule banning swimwear away from the beach, the city could see some other new rules coming in by the time summer hits, including:
- Drinking in the street
- Noisiness
- Public urinating
Although, there's currently no confirmation that these will pass through the city's council and be put in place, or an exact date of when we can expect them.
The new rules have been put in place in an attempt to make the city a more attractive place for elderly tourists, as well as looking to attract families by reducing rowdy crowds.
Europe's recent Brit crackdown
Portugal isn't the first to introduce rules in an attempt to seemingly control Brits abroad.
Amsterdam recently created its ‘stay away’ campaign that has targeted British men aged 18 to 35.
Fines of €200 are now in place for public urination and drink-related disturbances. While groups causing public disturbances can face fine up to €1,000.
Many countries/cities across Europe have introduced new rules which ban pub crawls.
One of the more unusual rules put in place, is Greece's new ban on high heels and other potentially damaging shoes which are now banned at archaeological sites with fines up to €900.
Kegan Marquez