UK holidaymakers in Spain risk £518 fine after ‘tipsy’ mistake

UK holidaymakers heading to Majorca are being warned they could face fines of up to £500 if they break new beach rules in the popular Spanish island.

Many tourists don’t realise the regulations exist, which could lead to hefty penalties.

Visitors caught buying goods from unlicensed street sellers could be fined up to €600 (£518). British holidaymakers risk fines starting at €85, going all the way up to €600, simply for making a purchase.

The sellers themselves face even higher penalties, with fines ranging between €750 and €1,500 if they are caught by the authorities.

Tourist Marie Herzberger admitted: "We don’t usually buy from street vendors, but yesterday we were a bit tipsy and bought sunglasses."

Four young German tourists from North Rhine-Westphalia even showed off their purchases, which included a toy pig, a rubber finger gadget, and sunglasses, while sitting at a beachfront restaurant.

When asked about vaping products, one visitor told the Majorca Daily Bulletin he assumed they weren’t covered by the new rules. He admitted: "I didn’t know that was illegal."

Local newspaper Mallorca Magazin spoke with tourists in Playa de Palma to test awareness of the law. Their report found that most visitors were completely unaware that buying anything from unlicensed sellers, from cheap toys to fake designer goods, is considered an offence.

This warning comes as UK travellers are also reminded about strict clothing laws in parts of the Balearic Islands. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has cautioned: "In some parts of Spain it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts."

It added: "Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas. Tourists can be fined if they’re caught in swimwear on seafront promenades or nearby streets."

The Balearics cover Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, while other favourite destinations for UK holidaymakers include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, the Costa del Sol, and Benidorm.

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