Long gone are the days when Europeans in fact headed out of their way to make travelers feel welcome. When they’re not out objecting with picket signs, advising them to ‘go home’, they’re giving out crazy fines for the most unimportant factors.
If you believed Portofino’s questionable ‘selfie fine’ was the final stroke, then absolutely nothing can prepare you for what’s about to follow:
This year, 6 brand-new extravagant rules have actually been rolled out throughout the Old Continent, impacting visitors in a number of tried-and-true trip hotspots– and even when they’re flying! Buckle up (literally), since it might develop into a bumpy trip from here on:
< img width= "1200 "height= "800 "src="% 23e3e3e3'/ % 3E % 3C/svg % 3E"alt ="Passengers Boarding A Ryanair Flight" data-src ="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/6-New-Rules-In-Europe-That-Could-Cost-Tourists-Hefty-Fines.jpg.webp"/ > $70 For Unbuckling Ahead Of Time During Turkey-Bound Flights The very first one is on Turkey’s tab: previously this year, the Turkish Civil Air travel Authority introduced a slate of ‘administrative fines’of roughly$70(or the comparable in Turkish liras)for guests who unbuckle seatbelts ahead of time.
You check out that right.
Unless the seat belt sign has been switched off, and cabin crew deem it’s ‘safe’ for you to stand up– this consists of both mid-flight and post-landing– you might be out of money before you even have the time to get scammed at Istanbul Airport.
$585 For Rowdy Habits Throughout Ryanair Flights The next one issues specifically rowdy passengers. You understand, the odd inebriated traveler who’s had one pint too many at the airport, and just can’t reel it in on the flight to Ibiza.
Budget provider Ryanair has unveiled a wallet-wipping $585 fine this summer for passengers who trigger ‘unneeded disturbance’ throughout journeys, including behavior considered ‘undesirable’ or ‘antisocial’ by aircrew.
Basically, as long as you do not deal with the aircraft like your own private stag do, and you do not get into verbally-abusive or physical run-ins, your main issue as far as sanctions go remains to ensure your totally free carry-on bag fits Ryanair’s overly-strict travel luggage size.
$350 For Driving Barefoot( Or With Sandals!)If you have actually ever rented a vehicle abroad, you know it can include its reasonable share of headaches. You might enter into some substantial problem if you’re not using the suitable shoes while driving. Yep, that’s a thing.
In countries like France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, well-known for their beach settings and sun-soaked coastlines, driving barefoot, or while in flip flops or sandals can lead to a whopping $350 fine if you get caught.
$1,750 For Wearing Beach Attire Outside Beach Areas Everyone tends to consider Europeans as normally liberal when it pertains to beach outfit; after all, nudist-friendly coves are a thing in the majority of coastal resorts, and women generally sunbathe topless at public beaches.
There may be some truth to that, but on the other hand, do not go about believing this mindset extends beyond that stretch of golden sand, or designated bathing areas.
Those caught using swimwear, or ‘improper’ clothes away from the beach in cities like Albufeira (Portugal), Barcelona (Spain), Cannes (France), Sorrento (Italy), or Split (Croatia) will often get provided a jaw-dropping $1,750 fine on the area.
< img width= "800"height="800"src= "https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aerial-View-Of-Magaluf-A-Resort-Strip-In-Calvia-Mallorca-Spain.jpg.webp"alt= "Aerial View Of Magaluf, A Resort Strip In Calvia, Mallorca, Spain"/ >$ 3,500 For Drinking In Public In Parts Of Spain The next one handle consuming certain compounds in public spaces. In general, public drinking across a bulk of Spain’s beach hotspots is frowned upon, to say the extremely least, and could entail fines of around$3,500. This includes Magaluf, in the fashionable vacation island of Mallorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and even the party capital that is Ibiza.
Lighting up cigs is equally dangerous, especially in parks and on beaches. Simply recently, France became the first European nation to implement an across the country restriction on smoking cigarettes in public areas– ironic as it may be, provided the widely-known French inclination to puffing, you don’t wish to flout the judgment.
$235 For Eating In The Vicinity Of Monuments In Italy Though we have actually currently discussed these formerly in an accompanying article, you can never stress Italy’s arguably ridiculous fines for apparently harmless acts enough times.
Selfie fines and driving bans in downtown locations aside, possibly the most shocking of all is the truth that, ought to you sit on the ground, or steps (especially church steps, or in the area of monuments) to consume, you might be fined up to $235.
Not only that, however you might be released a main ‘ban’ from the premises. This practice is especially imposed in cities like Rome (which, to be reasonable, has actually handled lots of deteriorations over the last few years), Florence, and Venice.
Europe Is A Minefield Of Unspoken Rules It appears satisfying the increasingly complicated entry requirements, and guaranteeing you load all your essentials, is no longer enough to ensure a worry-free getaway, y’ all.
While we can not use you legal advice on how to manage unforeseen fines while traveling in Europe, we can assist you prepare to deal with cultural level of sensitivities. Trust us, tipping the wrong way, or perhaps tipping at all, can equally land you in hot water.
Take a look at our newly-launched 10-Second European Tipping Calculator, and stay away from the periodic mess.
< img alt=""src ="https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/670a9f78091c16bd874672b1cb939f4e22e64fe6c391eb68b0f897b10dbfd49e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"height ="96" width="96"/ > Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has more than 60+ nations under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into helpful stories that will have you packing your bags.
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit