Don’t get caught out by these rules while on holiday in Spain this summer
For those with holidays booked to Spain over summer, the Foreign Office is reminding people of an important rule relating to alcohol in certain parts of the country.
Although the sale and drinking of alcohol is legal in Spain, there are certain limits and bans on alcohol in specific areas of the European country.
Across some parts of Spain, it is illegal to drink in the street and people found to be doing so can be subject to an on-the-spot fine. The FCDO also warns that there are strict controls on sexual activity in public places, including on beaches, as well as drinking.
In the Balearic Islands, made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, local laws limit the sale and availability of alcohol in some areas including: Magaluf (Calvia), Playa de Palma, and San Antonio.
In these parts of the archipelago, these rules ban happy hour drinks, open bars (such as ‘all you can drink in one hour’ offers), the sale of alcohol from vending machines, self-service alcohol dispensers, organised pub crawls and party boat trips, and ‘off-licence’ sales between 9:30pm and 8am.
Other rules in place across Spain include not behaving dangerously on balconies – hotels and other establishments will evict you and hand you a fine if you are found to be doing so.
On top of that, Brits are being warned that being found with illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Tourists can expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs.
The FCO warns that airports in Spain have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
In some parts of Spain it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.