Harsh penalties facing Brits who break Spanish island booze ban between 9:30pm and 8am
Look, let’s not beat around the bush, it’s no secret us Brits love a good drink when we’re on our holidays.
From a couple of cocktails around the pool to a boozy night on the strip, it’s the tourist stereotype that’s often proved true.
But people heading out to Spain’s Balearic Islands this year might be caught up in a crackdown that could tipple their tipsy plans.
From the ‘six drink rule’ to a booze ban between 9:30pm and 8am, the government have upped the ante to try and cut down on drunk tourists in certain areas.
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And there’s harsh penalties facing Brits who break that booze ban.
The rules on alcohol are only in force on two of the Spanish Islands, it’s just that they also happen to be the most popular with tourists.
Set to remain in force until at least December 2027, the areas where the rules are in place are:
- Playa de Palma, Majorca
- El Arenal, Majorca
- Magaluf, Majorca
- West End of San Antonio, Ibiza
With already-tough rules surrounding street drinking in those popular party lands, the government has totally banned places from selling booze from 9:30pm at night until 8am the next day.
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And if you decide to go about and break any of these alcohol rules on the Balearics (and get caught), then the consequences will hit where it hurts - in your wallet.
The Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martinez, has made it clear the Islands aren't taking any prisoners when it comes to enforcing the rules. So, tourists will be penalised as he cracks down on 'uncivil' attitudes in his city.
As a result, fines of a whopping €3,000 (£2,580) could be thrown at those who break the new Civic Ordinance ruling.
Plus, tourists caught drinking alcohol outside of the authorised areas will be slammed with fines between €500-1,500 (£430-1,290).
And that’s quite a high price to pay just because you can’t resist but have a sip of your booze before getting back to your hotel.
The islands' Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Jaume Bauzà, said the new measure is to encourage 'responsible tourism and to improve quality in tourist areas'.
Other measures brought in under the same ruling include a ban on graffiti, scooters, and nudism. The laws came in to force over the weekend (11 May).
Well, make sure you follow the rules lads or those holiday spends will quickly vanish.
Topics: Alcohol, Food And Drink, Travel, Politics, World News
Jess Battison