Brits face £1,500 fine for wearing bikinis or swim shorts in popular European holiday destination under new law
British tourists heading to one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations face being fined £1,500 for wearing garments such as swimming shorts or bikinis.
It's part of the latest tourism crackdown following years of unruly behaviour in the location loved by those with a UK passport.
The issue has been with what sun-seekers are wearing - or rather, not - being at the forefront of the minds of people who call these locations their home, as oppose to the vacation time spent there by Brits.
And, as attention turns to booking somewhere to go abroad for the summer season, it could be a big deal if you indeed decide to head to this stunning location.
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Holiday destination rule changes were all the rage last summer, with Marbella in Spain deciding to issue fines of up to £1,200 for anyone caught urinating in the sea. How they enforced that, though, was the subject of mockery.
Another rule in Benidorm could see you face a €150 fine for building a simple sandcastle.
There's also a swimming ban in place across the city loved by Brits, with a £1,000 fine for those violating the specific rules in place.
Now, as we look to 2025, all eyes are on Spain's neighbour, Portugal.
Under new laws being discussed by lawmakers in the south of the country, attention has turned to the party hotspot of Albufeira.
Albufeira crackdown and new fines
Though a stunning destination by day - with a gorgeous white-washed old town and golden beaches - it can turn pretty mad when the sun goes down, with the Old Town and The Strip overrun by mostly young tourists looking to get in a fair few drinks after relaxing in the day's sunshine.
As a result, the summer crowd that flock to Albufeira should be wary of putting a foot wrong, with police given the power to issue new fines to those who bare what mother nature gave them or go as far as doing sexual acts in public.
Fines of up to £1,500 are on the cards for this, with them also on the cards for those who are semi-nude.
We're talking about swimming garments outside of areas designated for them, such as a beach or a hotel's pool area.
What does the new law say?
Under one segment of new legislation dubbed 'prohibitions', it says: "To remain or circulate in a state of partial nudity, understood, for the purposes of this Code, as a person who partially exposes their body, using any type of clothing or accessory, namely, swimwear - bikini, trikini, swimsuit and similar, shorts and underwear."
So if you're caught in a bikini or just your swim trunks walking through the Old Town, you risk a big cash fine.
£250 fines are also on the way for those caught drinking on the streets outside of designated areas attached to bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Why is it being introduced?
Local officials in the town have said the new code of conduct that has been put together is to 'create better conditions for the development of the municipality, preserving Albufeira as a multicultural, family-friendly, and safe destination that values its heritage and identity'.
In a statement, town mayor Jose Carlos Rolo said: "It is urgent to establish measures that effectively address the adoption of abusive behaviours, particularly by those who seek the municipality of Albufeira as a tourist destination."
Mayor Rolo added: "We want to focus also on diversifying the offer, in order to contribute to reducing seasonality but also to attract new tourist markets from other nationalities."
Tom Earnshaw