Britons risk £1,500 on-the-spot fines after holiday hotspot introduces '15 rules for tourists'

Eamonn Holmes shares his chilling experience of holidaying in Portugal with his young children around the same time that Madeleine McCann went missing
GB News
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 26/06/2025

- 16:58

Updated: 26/06/2025

- 19:43

Minor offences can still result in Britons facing heavy fines

A popular holiday destination for British tourists has issued a Code of Conduct which bans inappropriate behaviour in public places.

The 15 new rules could see Britons travelling to Albufeira, Portugal, fined up to £1,500 if they fail to abide by the regulations.


The top fines, published shortly before 4pm on Thursday afternoon, aim to crack down on illegal activity, with full nudity in public and sexual acts or simulation in public landing tourists with the maximum fine.

Partial nudity in public, drinking alcohol in the streets and urinating in public places could see travellers forced to pay a fee of nearly £1,300.

\u200b Albufeira

A popular holiday destination for British tourists has issued a Code of Conduct which bans inappropriate behaviour in public places

GETTY

Other offences with fines of over £1,000 include excessive noise and damaging municipal property.

Minor offences can still result in Brits facing heavy fines.

These include sleeping in public, spitting on the ground, cooking in public places and the misuse of public furniture.

British travellers heading to Portugal already face multiple safety warnings, according to official guidance.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

15 new rules

The 15 new rules that could see Britons travelling to Albufeira fined up to £1,500

FCDO

In its official guidance, UK Government advises that there is a high global terrorist threat affecting British nationals.

Visitors have been advised to carry identification at all times, as Portuguese police and judicial authorities can request to see documents.

A passport photocopy may suffice, although officials may require the original.

While crime rates remain low, tourists can fall victim to pickpocketing, bag-snatching and property theft in popular areas.

Foreign-registered and rental vehicles are particularly targeted, with criminals sometimes employing threats or violence during thefts.

\u200b Albufeira

The 15 new rules were published shortly before 4pm on Thursday afternoon

GETTY

Beach safety poses significant risks, with drownings occurring annually in seas and swimming pools across Portugal.

Authorities warn against swimming at unsupervised beaches or where rivers meet the sea due to dangerous undercurrents.

Wildfires pose a heightened danger during the summer months, from April to October.

Starting fires, even accidentally, is illegal and carries potential fines or imprisonment.

Portugal enforces strict drug laws, including for cannabis, with lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines for smuggling. Portuguese airports employ advanced detection technology for illegal substances.