British holidaymakers warned of new ‘sunbed tax’ in Spain as hefty fines loom

Britons face crackdown on tourist activities in Spain |

GB NEWS

Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle Parkin


Published: 01/08/2025

- 07:45

Updated: 01/08/2025

- 08:37

Tourists could be fined more than £200

British tourists setting off on holiday to popular destinations have been warned they could face fines if they break rules surrounding sunbeds.

Britons travelling to Spain this summer may want to think twice before rushing to bag their choice of sun lounger.


Tourists caught reserving sunbeds at certain spots in the country could now fined €250 (around £216), according to travel insurer Tiger.

The rule has been enforced across Barcelona and Costa Blanca.

Britons travelling to Spain have been warned about a rule around sunbeds

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According to the travel insurer, the order was introduced following "numerous" complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight.

In Italy meanwhile, the wearing of swimwear outside of beaches and pools has been banned.

Tourists who break this rule at popular spots including the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento face fines of up to €500 (about £432).

It comes as British holidaymakers have been urged to return to Spain after the country's much-loved tourist resorts have been left "completely dead" by anti-tourist protests.

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Anti-tourism protests in Barcelona

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Protesters have held demonstrations across the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, as well as the Canary Islands and mainland cities such as Barcelona.

Some fired water pistols at holidaymakers during protests while others held signs reading "tourists go home".

Majorca has seen a slump in visitor numbers this summer.

Officials have admitted the chaos has "scared away" tourists - while travel firms are warning that holidaymakers no longer feel "welcomed" in Spain.

Restaurant owners across the island have faced financial losses as a result of the anti-tourism backlash.

Some protestors fired water pistols at tourists during demonstrations

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"The anti-tourism messages are scaring visitors away," warned Juanmi Ferrer, president of Majorca CAEB Restauración, who reported that July revenues have declined significantly.

The hospitality sector faces an unprecedented crisis, with predictions of mass closures across the island.

"This year, hundreds of restaurants in Mallorca will close," Ferrer stated.

Miguel Perez-Marsa, the head of the nightlife association, meanwhile told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "The tourists we're interested in are being driven away; they don't feel welcome and are going to other destinations."

Long-time expats have also noticed the slump in numbers.

Lesley Johnson, 66, from Leicester, has lived on the island for more than 30 years.

"This area used to have a lot of British bars and pubs, and they would hold quiz leagues and dance leagues," she told the Mail.

"Back then, if you went along this street at 7pm at night, you couldn't walk up, it would be full of tourists, but now it's completely dead."

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