Spain introduces new rules for tourists in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Majorca and Benidorm

British tourists planning trips to Spain this autumn and winter are being advised to get familiar with new rules and older regulations that are now being more strictly enforced in some of the country’s most popular holiday destinations.

From limits on all-inclusive drinks to dress code policies and tourist taxes, the changes will affect several of Spain’s busiest regions that attract millions of holidaymakers every year.

In recent years, Spain has gradually introduced tougher rules in response to complaints from locals about overcrowding, rising living costs and disruptive visitor behaviour.

While many of these rules aren’t new, officials have confirmed that enforcement is now being stepped up, with fines and penalties already handed out this year.

One of the most notable changes was brought in back in 2019, when the government of the Balearic Islands introduced measures to reduce excessive drinking in popular resorts such as Magaluf, Playa de Palma and parts of Ibiza.

These rules, which are still active, limit all-inclusive holidaymakers to six alcoholic drinks per day, split evenly between lunch and dinner. Any extra alcoholic drinks must be paid for separately, as they are not included in the package outside of those times.

Many regions in Spain now also require visitors to pay a small tourist tax per person, per night, which is collected by hotels and passed on to local authorities.

Both the Balearic Islands and Catalonia charge this fee, with rates depending on the type of accommodation and the time of year.

For instance, those staying in four-star hotels in Mallorca currently pay around €3.30 per night, while cheaper hostels and campsites charge less.

The Valencia region, which includes the popular Costa Blanca area, plans to introduce its own “Valencian Tourist Tax”, though it has been postponed until at least 2025.

Once it begins, the cost is expected to range from €0.50 to €2 per person per night, depending on where you stay.

Visitors should also be aware that some Spanish areas now have dress code rules for public places and restaurants near the coast.

In both Barcelona and Mallorca, walking around shirtless or wearing only swimwear away from the beach can result in fines of up to €300.

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