Sunseekers are being warned they could be hit hard in the pocket for making simple holiday errors, such as shampooing their hair, not carrying driving documents, or even building a sandcastle. Authorities in popular holiday destinations, including Spain, France, and Italy are charging hefty fines for breaking lesser-known rules.
To avoid any unexpected penalties, holidaymakers are advised to research a destination ahead of departure to check for rules or restrictions that could cost. Talk to a travel provider or tourist information, and use an app or translation device to understand signs that could warn of hidden costs.
In particular, holiday hotspots are introducing new rules to protect local citizens and the environment. Experts at foreign exchange specialist FairFX have shared guidelines on some of the unexpected restrictions that UK tourists may be confronted with whilst they are abroad.
Here are some of the little-known offences that could result in a penalty being imposed.
Italy
The resort of Sorrento has imposed a bikini ban away from the beach after locals complained they found the skimpy swimwear and topless tourists uncomfortable. As of next year, those taking a day trip to Venice will have to pay a fee of € 3- € 10 per person. These new measures are in place to reduce the number of tourists. It is important to factor these into your holiday budgets because non-payment can result in a fine of €300.
Hidden holiday rules |
Fine amount (€) |
Not paying the fee for a day trip to Venice |
€300 |
Bikini and topless ban |
€500 |
Spain and the Balaeric Islands
Tourists could be fined for wearing a bikini on beaches, as well as smoking, washing your hair with shampoo, or falling asleep. One jug of Sangria between friends could also hundreds in Madrid or Barcelona, where it is illegal to drink in public. These measures were introduced to reduce anti-social behaviour, with shops in these cities unable to sell alcohol after 10pm.
Brits hoping to build will have to ask permission first or face fines. The rule applies in Levante Beach in Benidorm, but also in Arona and Arica, Tenerife. Those who want to build a sandcastle with their family need to apply for a municipal permit beforehand.
Hidden holiday rules |
Fine amount (€) |
Smoking on a beach |
€2,000 |
Sleeping on beaches |
€1,500 |
Use of shampoo or soap on beaches |
€750 |
Drinking in public |
€600 |
Bikini and topless ban |
€300 |
Building sandcastles |
€150 |
France – incorrect documents and signage could cost you €4,500
Tourists hiring cars need to carry the correct insurance documents, have a reflective vest, and a warning triangle in their vehicle, otherwise they will be fined. Post Brexit, new laws mean that holidaymakers are required to have a UK sticker on their vehicle instead of a GB version to drive in Europe.
Hidden holiday rules |
Fine amount (€/£) |
Incorrect car insurance documents |
€3,750 |
Not having a reflective vest and warning triangle in your vehicle |
€750 |
Displaying a GB sticker instead of UK sticker on your car abroad |
£120 |
Greece
Taking a pebble as a holiday souvenir from the beach in Skiathos is illegal and could cost as much as €775. This law has been introduced to preserve the beaches.- they even have ‘pebble return boxes’ at the airport so you can return the pebbles before you head home to avoid being fined.
Hidden holiday rules |
Fine amount (€) |
Remove pebbles from beaches |
€775 |
Portugal
Portugal has banned smoking in enclosed public areas and wild camping. Breaking these rules could lead to expensive fines of up to €750. Portugal’s smoking laws were brought in to help protect their citizens from the health effects of second-hand smoke whilst their camping rules help preserve their protected areas and areas undergoing coastal development.
Hidden holiday rules |
Fine amount (€) |
Smoking in enclosed public areas |
€750 |
Wild camping |
€600 |
Jack Mitchell, head of travel money at FairFX, said: “With holiday budgets being tightened amid the cost of living crisis, incurring unexpected fines abroad could put a significant strain on your budget. What’s worrying is that you could be caught out visiting a country you’ve been to many times before as many rules have been recently introduced.
“If faced with a fine, always pay in the local currency or on a specialist currency card so you don’t get caught out with hidden exchange fees.”
