Tourists visiting Spain must be aware of the strict alcohol laws or fines may be imposed

Spain is one of the top holiday destinations for British holidaymakers thanks to its wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and short flight times. Although the country is a well-known holiday destination for many Brits, there are some rules around alcohol that you may not be aware of.

When it comes to alcohol consumption, Spanish laws may differ from those in Britain. It’s important that you know what the rules are, otherwise you could end up with a hefty fine and in trouble with the local authorities.

According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, there are different laws regarding alcohol in different parts of Spain that British travelers should be aware of. One rule concerns drinking alcohol on the street.

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The FCDO says: “In some parts of Spain you cannot drink alcohol on the streets. You can be fined on the spot.” It added: “There are strict controls on drinking and sexual activity in public places, including on beaches.”

There are different alcohol laws in force in the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, including areas of some resorts such as Magaluf, Playa de Palma (both Mallorca) and the Ibiza resort of San Antonio.

According to the FCDO, these laws prohibit the following in the above-mentioned resorts:

• happy hours

• open bars (like all you can drink in 1 hour deals)

• the sale of alcohol from vending machines

• self-service alcohol vending machines

• organizing pub crawls and party boat trips

• ‘Liquor sale’ between 9:30 PM and 8:00 AM

Holidaymakers are being warned to ensure they behave safely as they could be evicted from their accommodation for ‘dangerous behavior on balconies’. The FCDO added: “Hotels and other establishments are required to evict customers who behave dangerously on balconies. For such behavior, both the customer and the establishment may be fined.”

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