Spain, France and Italy tourists given €200 fine warning as summer arrives

UK tourists heading to Europe this summer have been warned over a simple act that could cost you up to €200 in Spain, France, and Italy.

The three mainland Europe countries are loved by Brits more than anywhere else in the world, with more than 30 million of us heading there last year.

A total of 17.8 million headed to Spain and its islands, with 9.2 million taking the trip to France.

Making up the final podium spot is Italy at 4.9 million, showing the clear gap in where British tourists love to go more than anywhere else.

Those heading to Spain this summer have already been warned about a new system in place that tourists are being urged to use. And it's for your own good, with the potential to save your life.

And for those heading there during Euro 2024, take note so you don't land yourself a £500 fine for cheering on England or Scotland.

France also has a warning in place, this time issued by the UK Foreign Office and lasting for three months. Not good.

Brits love heading to France, with many visiting the likes of St Tropez. (Getty Stock Images)

But the warnings don't end there, with one in place covering both countries and Italy.

The advice has been issued to make sure people stay don't unknowingly stray on to the wrong side of the law.

Legal team leader at Cycle SOS, Lena Farnell, is behind the warning. And if the business name didn't give it away already, it is to do with getting on a pedal bike.

Get it wrong and you'll be looking at €200 (£168) fines in Spain, €160 (£135) in Italy, €135 (£114) in France.

"Cyclists who are caught wearing earphones can expect to pay a €200 fine in Spain, whilst if you’re found in breach of the rules in France, you can expect to be fined €135," Fernell said.

A packed beach in Spain. (Getty Stock Images)

“Italy and Portugal take a different stance, requiring that cyclists wear just one earphone whilst cycling, with a penalty of approximately €160 if you’re wearing both earphones whilst cycling in Italy."

Fernell continues: "Wearing earphones whilst cycling could present a safety risk to yourself and other road users. Listening to music compromises a cyclist's ability to listen to road traffic, including the sirens of emergency vehicles.

"They may also be less aware of warning signals such as vehicles using their horn or pedestrians shouting.

"Not wearing earphones allows cyclists to be more aware of their surroundings, helping them to cycle in a safer way, which will reduce the number of road traffic accidents."