Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Spain Crackdown on Public Drinking: New Regulations for Tourists
British tourists are being advised to exercise increased vigilance while vacationing in Spain, a favored tourist hotspot, due to the implementation of new ordinances aimed at curbing public drinking. Insurance industry specialists are cautioning UK travelers to adhere to the revised alcohol consumption regulations, specifically the 9 pm to 8 am restrictions, during their Spanish holidays. Several prominent resorts in Majorca have instituted bans on alcohol consumption as Spain intensifies efforts to restrict happy hours, public drinking, and the sale of alcoholic beverages between 9:30 pm and 8 am local time.
Strict Enforcement of New Alcohol Laws
One Sure Insurance issued a statement highlighting that “with high-volume tourism an increasing concern across Spain, authorities have emphasized their commitment to imposing penalties on individuals engaging in disruptive or unacceptable conduct.” All tourists should be mindful of the laws being “rigorously applied” throughout Spain.
Long-Term Regulations in Place
The insurance company further stated, “The government has made it clear that statutes such as the public drinking ban, and limitations on activities like party boat excursions, pub crawls, and after-hours alcohol sales, are not transitory actions but permanent statutes intended to remain in effect until at least 2027.”
Targeted Areas and Prohibited Conduct
Public drinking is already prohibited in certain designated zones within the country, and consuming alcohol in public in some locales can result in an immediate penalty, as can engaging in sexual activity in public spaces, including beaches. The new regulations are aimed at controlling the sale and availability of alcohol in popular vacation destinations, including Magaluf and Playa de Palma in Majorca, and San Antonio in Ibiza, all within the Balearic Islands.
Measures to Combat Excessive Alcohol Consumption
The primary objective is to combat excessive alcohol consumption through the banning of:
- Happy hours
- Open bars featuring ‘all you can drink in one hour’ deals
- Alcohol vending machines
- Self-service alcohol dispensers
- Pub crawls
- Party boat excursions
Hoteliers and other accommodation providers are also supportive of measures to address disruptive conduct. Guests causing disturbances on balconies also risk incurring fines and potential expulsion.
Other Destinations Enforcing Similar Rules
Hvar and Split in Croatia are among other sought-after destinations that are also poised to implement sanctions for public drinking and improper attire in specific areas.
UK Government Awareness Campaigns
The UK government’s Travel Aware Campaign and “Stick With Your Mates” initiative are in place to address these issues, assisting British nationals, particularly younger tourists, in recognizing the risks associated with alcohol consumption abroad.
The campaign reminds British citizens that “Drinking abroad can differ from drinking in the UK. The quality of alcoholic beverages may be lower, alcohol measurements may be more generous, and discounted beverages and promotions can lead to individuals becoming more intoxicated, more rapidly than anticipated.”