High heels, fish selfies, and wet swimmers on balconies… tourists are getting fined (or worse) for it all. Across Europe, obscure local laws are tripping up unsuspecting travellers, and travel insurance experts are sounding the alarm: break the rules, and your policy might not save you.
According to Tiger.co.uk, what might seem like harmless holiday habits could actually put travellers on the wrong side of the law. And ignorance won’t get you off the hook.
“Heading off on a summer holiday to experience new countries and new cultures is always exciting, but it’s important to research your destination beforehand to ensure you’re not breaking any laws or disrespecting the local people,” Tiger.co.uk Managing Director Ian Wilson said.
He warned that travel insurance won’t cover medical bills or disruptions if travellers are caught breaking local laws, even accidentally.
That’ll cost you: The strange European laws tourists keep breaking
Spain: Towels off
Setting your alarm to claim a sunbed might backfire. In beach hotspots like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, it’s illegal to reserve loungers with towels and then disappear. Fines can hit €250 if you’re caught playing towel monopoly.
Italy: Cover up or cough up
In scenic spots like the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, public decency laws ban wearing swimwear away from the beach. That quick gelato dash in your cossie? Could cost you €500.
Portugal: Nature calls, but not in the sea
Relieving yourself in the ocean might seem discreet, but in Portugal, it’s a punishable offence with fines up to €750 (though pregnant womeen reportedly get a pass).
Greece: Heels off at heritage sites
Love your stilettos? Leave them behind when visiting ancient landmarks like the Acropolis. High heels are banned to protect fragile ruins. Sitting on monuments is also a no-no. Preservation before selfies.
England: Queue chaos is a crime
Think cutting the queue at a London Underground ticket hall is just rude? It’s actually illegal. Sure, you might just get tuts, but technically, you could get fined too.
Switzerland: Sunday is sacred
Drying your bikini on the balcony might fly in Bondi, but not in Switzerland on a Sunday. Local laws ban public disruptions, including visible laundry. And fish lovers beware: taking a selfie with a fish you plan to release is against the law.
Turkey: Mind your money (and your mouth)
Tourists defacing Turkish currency could face up to three years in prison. Even more serious? Disrespecting national symbols or the nation’s founding father Atatürk.
France: Leave the sand behind
Sandy feet are fine. Sandy suitcases? Not so much. Taking sand, shells, or pebbles from French beaches is illegal, with fines of up to €1,500.
It’s not just the local laws that can catch travellers out, it’s the fine print too. From fish photos to fashion faux pas, what seems harmless could put travellers at risk of unexpected fines and uncovered claims. Rather than relying on common sense alone, agents can help clients stay ahead of these gotchas by flagging the unusual and arming them with local know-how. Nobody wants their dream holiday derailed by a drying bikini or a fish selfie.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For travel agents, weaving these weird and wonderful laws into your pre-trip briefings gives clients the heads-up they didn’t know they needed and reinforces your value as a go-to travel expert. A few odd facts could save your clients hundreds. And save you a headache.
