Planning a summer trip to Europe? Better bring plenty of cash. Due to an influx of tourists, popular cities across the continent are imposing wild and expensive fines — ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars — for the most unexpected offenses, reports the New York Post.
You could get fined for driving in flip-flops, taking a seashell or stone from the beach, or unbuckling your seatbelt before the plane has come to a complete stop.
In Barcelona, Cannes, Venice, and several other cities, strolling around in a swimsuit can cost you up to $1,747!
Drinking alcohol on the streets of Mallorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands? That’ll set you back $3,495. Leaving a towel to “reserve” a poolside lounge chair in Spain will cost $291.
Driving in flip-flops? Get ready to pay $349 — that’s the fine in Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and Portugal.
Stealing a seashell or pebble from a Greek beach will cost you $1,165, while swimming in Venice’s canals will get you slapped with a $407 fine.
Authorities aren’t just handing out fines — they’ve launched public awareness campaigns with posters and announcements explaining what’s off-limits.
In Malaga, for example, a ten-point rule list covers everything from decent clothing to bans on littering, noise, and reckless scooter riding. Violations cost $873.
In Albufeira, tourists are even banned from public sex, public urination, cooking outdoors, or camping.
Locals have had enough. Activist Birgitta Spi-König says, “These fines send a clear message: the community wants its space back. Tourists aren’t the problem — patience has just run out.”
Spanish officials stress that the rules are strict but designed to protect peace for both residents and respectful visitors.
Mallorca’s mayor noted, “Tourism shouldn’t become a burden for locals.”
In short — travel smart, or Europe will happily lighten your wallet!
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