Tourists in parts of Mallorca and Ibiza will face hefty fines for drinking alcohol on the streets as part of a crackdown on “overtourism” areas.
The government of the Spanish Balearic Islands toughened laws which were first introduced in 2020.
In addition to banning the consumption of alcohol on public roads, the rules prevent stores from selling alcohol late at night and impose stricter controls on party boats.
Any tourist who breaks these rules could face a fine of up to 3,000 euros.
Here’s what you need to know to avoid a fine.
What areas are covered by the ban?
Rules apply at three resorts in Mallorca – Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia (Magaluf) – as well as San Antonio in Ibiza.
The ban extends one nautical mile (1.85 km) offshore to all of these destinations, with party boats banned from approaching and prohibited from embarking or disembarking passengers in these areas.
The mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, said that one of his main objectives is to “correct uncivilized attitudes”.
Does alcohol ban mean no drinking at all?
No. Tourists will still be able to drink, but there are now stricter controls on where.
The most important thing is that you cannot drink on the street.
The only exception is on bar or restaurant terraces or other legally authorized areas.
But wandering down the street with a half-empty beer or an open bottle is definitely a no-no.
Stores that sell alcoholic beverages must close between 9:30 pm and 8 am.
What are the penalties for tourists who break the rules?
People can be fined between €750 and €1,500 (£645 and £1,290) if drinking alcohol in public “disturbs coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquility of the environment”.
If the offense is considered very serious, the fine can vary between 1,500 and 3,000 euros (1,290 to 2,580 pounds).
Local authorities will report the number of foreign tourists who have been sanctioned to their respective embassies.
How will the ban be enforced?
The government has committed to spending up to €16 million (£13.7 million) on enforcing the public drinking ban.
There will be extra security and inspections, as well as a focus on raising awareness of the rules among tourists in the hotspot areas.
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When does the ban come into force – and for how long?
The ban came into effect on May 11, 2024.
It will remain in force until December 31, 2027. After that, the government hopes the law will no longer be needed.
How is this different from what was already in place?
The new decree strengthens laws that were introduced in 2020 banning happy hours, pub crawls and two-for-one drink deals.
These rules banned the sale of alcohol in shops between 9.30pm and 8am and prevented party boats from advertising in designated areas.
The main change is that drinking on public roads is now prohibited.
It also extends the validity period of laws; in 2020 the government said they would remain in place for at least five years and have now been extended until the end of 2027.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
