They got new rules, we count ’em (Picture: Getty Images)
Jetting off to Spain this summer? Well, there are some new things you’ll need to keep in mind on your travels.
Not only are there some relatively fresh post-Brexit regulations in place, but since the pandemic, Spanish residents have been putting pressure on their local governing authorities to make sure UK tourists stay respectful instead of rude and rowdy.
From making too much noise to bailing on restaurant bookings, here’s a list of the new rules for this exceptionally popular holiday destination.
Unlicensed parties
For anyone planning to live it up in Majorca or Ibiza, you’ll want to be wary of the parties you attend.
The Balearic Islands are getting strict about unlicensed and/or very unruly parties, and authorities aren’t shy about handing out eye-watering fines to everybody involved in planning, advertising and marketing the event, as well as attendees, to the tune of up to £25,000, according to local media.
Local police have the authority to dish out these penalties and shut down any parties they see fit that are in a protected natural area or too close to residential areas.
Noise
Alicante is going to be incredibly tough on noise pollution from here on out, with local authorities announcing that fines of €600 euros (£526) to €30,000 euros (£26,000) will be handed out to those who run afoul of these new regulations.
And just what do these anti-noise pollution laws involve?
Everything from music on the beach to loudly dragging your chair on the floor of rooftop bars to even talking too loudly in your accommodation.
These regulations are tighter versions of rules the city council implemented in March 2019.
And in Majorca, the cops can break up any boat parties that get too loud for too long, and charge yet more heavy fines.
Flaky diners
Bailing on your restaurant booking at the last minute isn’t a great look no matter where you are, as it leaves them with an empty table and that much less money at the end of the night.
So, in a bid to stop flaky eaters as well as rival businesses making fake bookings to sabotage the competition, Restauración CAEB, a Majorcan restaurant association, has implemented new rules.
Soon, customers ware going to have to share their credit card number when they reserve a table.
If they bail on the booking, 20% of the average anticipated bill will be taken from their account.
Park Guell, Barcelona (Picture: Getty Images)
Dress codes
Even though this isn’t a legal matter, you’ll do well to remember that just because you’re on holiday it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to get away with holiday attire everywhere.
In fact, an increasing number of resort restaurants are adopting stricter dress codes.
Last year, 11 restaurants associated with Palma Beach resorts in the Balearic Islands banned articles of clothing including strapless vests, football shirts, accessories bought from street vendors, and swimsuits/trunks.
Money
Travellers have got to prove that they have booked accommodation and either a return flight or a ticket for the next leg of their journey.
Now, they may also need to prove that they’ve got enough money to get by while they’re in Spain.
You might be asked to show authorities that you can spend at least €100 (£86.92) each day of their holiday, as well as €900 (£766.94) on top of that.
‘Foreigners from third countries must prove if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory, that they have economic resources for entering the country, through cash, travellers’ cheques, payment letters, or credit cards, which must also be proven to have sufficient funds available on them,’ said The Spanish Ministry del Interior.
Coronavirus
Covid restrictions have been scaled back since the height of the pandemic in Spain just like everywhere else, but be aware that anybody travelling from China will have to show proof of either a negative test or the fact that they’re fully vaccinated.
This rule was re-implemented back in January owing to fears of rising infections in the nation.
You won’t have to isolate if you develop symptoms of or test positive for coronavirus while you’re on your holiday, but it’s still recommended that you wear a face mask and keep social interactions to a minimum where possible.
You should also tell anybody you’ve had close contact with that you’ve got symptoms, and stay away from anybody who’s in a high risk group, like pregnant people and the elderly.
Cala Morell, Minorca, Balearic Islands (Picture: Getty Images)
To visa or not to visa
You don’t need a visa to enter Spain, because we can travel to countries like this in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but our passports have to be valid for at least three months from the date you want to leave, and issued within the last 10 years.
You should also get a shiny new stamp in your passport to show when you’ve entered or exited Spain, as it tracks how long your stay was.
Alcohol limits
A growing number of island resorts are cutting off their guests’ supply to booze after a certain number of drinks.
This one’s a law that will apply to institutions in places like Majorca and Ibiza, and some other Balearic Island hotels.
You’ll only be given six alcoholic drinks a day in resorts in Sant Antoni in Ibiza, Magaluf, Playa de Palma in Mallorca, and El Arenal, and you’ll have to spread them out between meals, with three at lunch and three allowed a dinner.
Plaza de Espana, Seville (Picture: Getty Images)
Smoking
We’re used to chat of smoking bans in the UK, but now, on all 10 of Barcelona’s beaches, we’ll have to get used to new rules as we’re now not allowed to smoke there at all.
And if you break the rules? You guessed it – you risk a fine.
You’ll have to look out for four-metre banners on these smoke-free beaches that also have QR codes that can give holiday-makers more information.
There are plenty of other beaches that have implemented similar smoking bans too, with 28 beaches on the Balearic Islands now going smoke-free in a bid to tackle the litter of cigarette butts and improve public health.
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It pays to get clued up before your summer holiday.
