Brits in Spain during the Euros warned over £500 fine for supporting England or Scotland
Euro 2024 is almost here and with it, a fresh warning to Brits enjoying the month long tournament in Spain. And it's one that could cost your bank account dearly.
Kicking off on Friday (14 June) and ending exactly a month after then, the UEFA competition could well be Gareth Southgate's last attempt to bring football home through his England side that has revitalised the national game right across the country over the last eight years.
England aren't the only side from the UK heading to Germany for the competition, with Scotland facing off against Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland in the group stages. Outsiders with the bookies, not that that'll mean anything to the Tartan Army.
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Given the tournament coincides with the arrival of summer, thousands of Brits cheering on either team will be across the world on their holidays as they look to enjoy a week or two in the sun ahead of the school holidays rush.
And for those in Spain, take note. Experts are now warning those visiting Spain risk being fined up to £500 for breaking new public rules that have come in to force this year.
What could you be fined for?
Tourists risk being fined for smoking, drinking booze and wearing their football shirts (or rather, taking it off celebrating), warn travel insurance experts at One Sure Insurance.
Reports show Spanish authorities are clamping down with fines for wearing unsuitable clothes as well as tightening alcohol regulations in some popular Spanish locations.
The UK Foreign Office has issued warnings to travellers asking them to adhere to foreign laws or risk penalties.
A spokesperson at One Sure Insurance said: “As the Euros kick off this month, we are seeing increasing numbers of British tourists head to their holiday destinations to enjoy matches in the sun. This has meant increasing bans on specific clothing items including football shirts and novelty wear to promote a more respectful environment.
“Majorca has seen multiple restaurants targeting clothes associated with drunken tourism. We’ve also seen that wearing just a bikini or being bare chested with swimming shorts away from the beach could land tourists fines of up to £500 in various locations.”
Booze and smoking bans
There are big restrictions on alcohol, with restrictions in place across Majorca, Magaluf (Calvia), Playa de Palma, Ibiza, and San Antonio (San Antoni de Portmany). The focus in these places is on resort areas popular with tourists.
Happy hours with discounted drinks; open bars including all-you-can-drink deals; alcohol vending machines; self-service alcohol dispensers; pub-crawls; party boat trips; and off-licences selling booze between 9.30pm and 8am the next day have been prohibited.
A smoking ban in public spaces, such as beaches and restaurant terraces, is also in place with fines of up to €2,000 (around £1,700).
You can be fined £650 for having an alcoholic drink on the beach. And if you discard a cigarette butt or litter from a moving vehicle, can land a fine of four licence points and €200 (170).
Balcony behaviour
Holiday goers are also at risk of fines for dangerous behaviour on the balcony, where the Foreign Office has advised that hotels and other establishments are obliged to evict customers who behave dangerously on balconies.
Local marine wildlife conservation efforts have led to the introduction of a £560 fine for using soap or shampoo at the beach when rinsing off.
“We are urging all travellers to familiarise themselves with these regulations before departing to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday experience," the spokesperson at One Sure Insurance added.
Tom Earnshaw