Millions of people travel from the UK to Spain each year and now that summer is here many of us will now likely have holidays to the European country in our calendars.
It's important when travelling abroad to familiarise yourself of any laws you need to adhere to, and to follow UK Foreign Office advice. There are a number of rules in place in Spain that could affect British travellers, and people can be hit with fines, though not always.
It is also worth reminding anyone planning to fly to Spain there are new passport rules, post-Brexit. In order to enter any country in the EU your passport must have been issued in the past 10 years.
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You are also legally required to have at least three months left on your passport at the time you plan on exiting the EU.
Here are some of the other rules you must follow while on holiday in Spain:
Smoking
A crackdown is taking place on 28 beaches across the Balearic islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, with residents and tourists alike now banned from smoking. The increase in "smoke-free zones" is part of a major plan to improve people's health and slash the huge problem of cigarette butts being left on the sand.
However there are no fines for those who are caught lighting up as the people behind the scheme are hoping to appeal to members of the public's sense of responsibility, the Mirror reports. This is unlike similar schemes in the likes of Barcelona, which introduced fines last year for tourists caught smoking on the beach.
Swimwear and clothing
While it may be tempting to stroll back to your hotel in just your swimwear after a day at the beach, you could end up with a hefty fine. The FCDO says: “In some parts of Spain it’s against the law to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts/trunks.
“Being bare-chested has also been banned in some areas of Spain. Some local councils will impose fines if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or the adjacent streets.”
Alcohol
If you’re on holiday in the Balearic Islands, it’s worth noting that in designated areas in Majorca and Ibiza there are restrictions on the sale and availability of alcohol. In areas of Magaluf and Playa de Palma in Majorca and San Antonio in Ibiza there are prohibitions on happy hours, open bars and the organising of pub-crawls and party boat trips.
The law also prohibits “off-licence” sales between 9.30pm and 8am, and if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort there's a cap on how many alcoholic beverages you can have. You're allowed three drinks at lunchtime and three drinks with your evening meal, but that's it.
Listening to music
People planning to travel to Spain this year are being warned they could face a penalty of €200 during their trip and it involves listening to music. Legal team leader at Cycle SOS, Lena Farnell, has warned it is illegal to cycle while wearing earphones in Spain.
£93 per day
Spanish officials have been asking visitors to prove they have a return or onward ticket and pre-booked accommodation such as a hotel booking confirmation, or proof of address if they're visiting friends or staying in their own property.
The spot checks also mean you could also be asked to prove you have "sufficient financial means" for the duration of your trip. It's unlikely but it could happen.
Spain defines sufficient financial means as access to €109 (around £93) per person per day. For a family of five, this equates to €545 per day or €7,630 for a two-week holiday in Spain.
Tourist tax
While this is not a rule, as such, it is important to be aware that many Spanish destinations implement a tourist tax. This is an additional fee on top of your flights and accommodation aimed at generating revenue for the local area to fund infrastructure and to support the economy.
If you have had a holiday abroad before, you're likely to have already paid a tourist tax, though you may not have realised as it is sometimes included in the cost of the holiday or the taxes paid at your accommodation.
Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and Valencia all implement the taxes, though rates vary. You can read more about this here.
New visa scheme
UK arrivals could be refused entry to Spain, and all other EU countries, under a scheme set to launch later this year.
British holidaymakers will soon have to obtain a new document to enter all EU nations. The new travel permit will come at a fee, and has been introduced to enhance the security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone.
People from the UK who plan to visit the Schengen zone, which includes most EU countries in mainland Europe, will be charged around seven euros for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver before they depart. UK passport holders could be turned away at borders if their ETIAS application is not approved.
Balconies
Foreign Office guidance warns travellers: "Hotels and other establishments are obliged to evict customers who behave dangerously on balconies. Both the customer and the establishment can be fined for such behaviour."
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