logo
Spain hotspot food ban with £630 fines in place in new crackdown

Spain hotspot food ban with £630 fines in place in new crackdown

Daily Mirror04-06-2025

From this month anyone purchasing from unauthorised street vendors will face new laws - as well as a host of changes on electric scooters, nudity, and drinking
UK tourists in a holiday hotspot are being warned that will face fines of 750 euros (about £630) - for buying anything - including food and drink - from street vendors. Palma, the capital of the island of Mallorca, this month introduced the new laws which could see Brits hit with fines and possibly even arrest for an array of infractions this summer.
The ordinance covers a host of issues - vandalism, including graffiti, posters, leaflets, gambling and betting in public spaces, false begging and sexual demands, artistic performances, guided tours, littering, alcohol consumption in public, group gatherings, street vending, motorhomes, nudism, balconing as well as scooters.
One change is the regulation of electric scooters. Users will now have to be able to prove they have civil liability insurance (with a minimum coverage of €120,000) and wear an approved helmet.
Another law people are likely to fall foul of is a total ban on purchasing any item from unauthorised vendors in public spaces. This includes buying souvenirs, food and drink and fashion accessories such as sunglasses and watches, with the exception being in authorised markets.
Laws are being brought in partly after protests on the island against excessive tourism, along with people complaining about the behaviour of visitors.
A document detailing the measures explained they were to 'prevent inappropriate everyday actions' and 'address incivility in general'. Danny Toffel, CEO and founder of online retailer Watches2U, said: 'When travelling abroad it's always worth reading up on local rules.
'These measures have been put in place to protect Palma's culture and economy and, in some cases, for public safety. Buying from unauthorised street vendors might seem like a harmless way to get a bargain but they can undermine local, legitimate businesses.
'Illegal street vendors may also offer counterfeit goods which again may not seem like a big problem to many, but fall foul of intellectual property rules and take money away from legitimate businesses. The message is clear - buy from reputable sellers or tourists could find themselves facing tough consequences.'
Graffiti, classified as a very serious offence, will carry a fine of up to 3,000 euros. Nudism, whether total or partial, will be punishable by a fine of up to 750 euros. This doesn't apply to 'designated areas' or, for example, to women who go topless on beaches. Drinking alcohol in groups ('botellón') is banned as is the use of drugs in public spaces.
The use of speakers without municipal authorisation; parkour; laser pointers; urinating and defecating in public will also see arrests. Balconing - moving from one balcony to another - will be subject to a fine of up to 1,500 euros. The police will support hotel establishments with the immediate expulsion of those who commit this offence.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The 20 worst McDonald's in the UK have been named - based on one-star ratings
The 20 worst McDonald's in the UK have been named - based on one-star ratings

Scotsman

time25 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

The 20 worst McDonald's in the UK have been named - based on one-star ratings

A study has revealed the 20 lowest-rated McDonald's restaurants in the UK, based on franchise locations with the biggest percentage of one-star ratings. Research was conducted by QR Code Generator which involved looking at the percentage of ratings on Google reviews for every McDonald's restaurant in the nation. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator said: 'According to a YouGov survey, McDonald's is in the top three most popular dining brands in the UK for 2025, beating out its competitors such as Burger King and KFC. Only Greggs is favoured more than the double arches among millennials, highlighting many young Brits' favour for affordable, on-the-go bites. 'However, just because each McDonald's restaurant bears the famous name, it may not mean all are equal in the eyes of customers, as our results suggest. Customer satisfaction appears to vary widely across the nation." Here is a list of the 20 worst-ranked McDonald's restaurants in the UK. 1 . Chingford Fountain - 36.49% Chingford Fountain in Chingford ranks the worst-rated on the list with a 36.49% score of one-star ratings. | Google Maps Photo Sales 2 . Sydenham - 34.05% Sydenham is closely followed in second place, with a one-star rating percentage of 34.05%. | Google Maps Photo Sales 3 . Bristol Fishponds - 33.46% Bristol Fishponds in Fishponds has a 33.46% one-star rating percentage, making it third on the list. | Google Maps Photo Sales 4 . Walsall - Littleton Centre - 32% Walsall's Littleton Centre McDonald's has a one-star rating percentage of 32%. | Google Maps Photo Sales

EXCLUSIVE I was excited to come to Australia on a working holiday visa - but here's what they DON'T tell you
EXCLUSIVE I was excited to come to Australia on a working holiday visa - but here's what they DON'T tell you

Daily Mail​

time32 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE I was excited to come to Australia on a working holiday visa - but here's what they DON'T tell you

A British traveller has shared one of the biggest struggles she's been faced with since moving to Australia that 'no one talks about'. Alice Carter moved Down Under four months ago, swapping London for Sydney, but has been left fearing she'll be forced to return to the UK after struggling to find a job. Despite plenty of experience, the former social editor has been unable to land a role in her chosen field due to the restrictions on her Working Holiday visa. 'It's been such a struggle and no one talks about it,' she told Daily Mail Australia. UK passport holders between the ages of 18 and 35 qualify for Working Holiday visas, which allow Brits to live and work Down Under for up to three years. As of July 2024, Brits no longer have to complete three months of farm work to apply for a second or third visa - but they cannot work for the same employer for more than six months. Ms Carter said she believed her most recent role as social editor at UK publication The Independent made her an ideal candidate for social marketing and strategy roles in Australia. But she has found herself in the same position time and time again where prospective employers have 'really liked her', but can't offer her a job because the visa limitations mean they will have to fill the position again in just a few months. While the rule is explained to applicants in the fine print, what isn't explained, according to Ms Carter, is how reluctant companies are to hiring anyone on a working holiday visa. Ms Carter said employer after employer has been wary of hiring her as she is unable to commit to a contract of longer than six months. 'I've just got off another interview and she said she really loves me and then she finds out I have my working holiday visa and then she tells me no,' she recalled in a video shared to TikTok. 'That's probably the 12th time that's happened where I've gone through a whole interview or started an interview and they've really liked me and I've really liked them. 'Then they say they can't offer the job due to my visa.' Ms Carter said she always makes it clear on any job application that she is a Working Holiday applicant The former social editor, who has worked with brands including Marie Claire UK, Depop and clothing brand TM Lewin, admitted she is considering returning home because she can't find work. Ms Carter's video was flooded with comments from other Brits who had found themselves in the same situation. One viewer said the same thing 'is constantly happening to me... starting to think Aus is no longer the dream'. Ms Carter replied: 'Sorry to hear! I've been here four months and I can't even get hospitality, thinking to have to go home too.' Another commented: 'Who the hell came up with the name of it like why's it called WORKING holiday if none of us can get any damn work, like???' 'It's a nightmare, I've managed 12 months at a place through a recruitment company and then working for the company itself but I'm now in the job hunting part again, job ends in two weeks and I'm dreading it,' another wrote. 'Just keep applying stay persistent I was the same you'll eventually get one that one employer who will give you a chance,' a third said. According the the Department of Home Affairs, the rule is intended to 'provide a temporary opportunity to work while exploring and enjoying the country'. It argues that 'tourism and travel should remain the primary focus of the visa holder's stay' and that work should only be for a 'temporary and secondary income source during a holiday'. However, as many visitors like Ms Carter are finding out, rather than limiting work to six months, the rule is preventing any work at all. Brits on Working Holiday visas are not subject to the six month work limitation if they work in plant and animal cultivation, natural disaster recovery, and critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, tourism and hospitality, anywhere in Australia. Certain industries in Northern Australia, including fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, are also exempt. In certain situations Working Holiday visa holders can ask the government for permission to extend the limitation. You do not need to ask permission to work with the same employer for more than six months if you work in different locations, including working from home, but work in any one location must not exceed six months.

Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays
Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays

The Independent

time33 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Ryanair says passengers are ‘suffering' in 2.5 hour queues due to Portuguese border control delays

Ryanair has blasted Portuguese border control, saying its passengers have 'suffered' through long delays or have missed flights due to staff shortages. The budget airline carrier called on the Portuguese government to 'urgently fix' border control staff shortages at some of the country's busiest airports, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto. Ryanair said that passengers, many of whom are travelling with young families, are 'suffering' due to unnecessary border control delays of up to two and a half hours. The airline added that over the last two weeks alone, from 26 May to 9 June, over 270 passengers travelling from Faro, Lisbon or Porto airports have missed their flights. It blames this on border control delays due to a lack of staff. The airline has called on the government to adequately staff border control, especially during the peak morning period. Ryanair's COO, Neal McMahon said said that the staff shortages are 'unacceptable'. 'Over 270 passengers have missed their flights just because the airport operator, ANA, has not ensured that adequate staff are in place to manage border control at Faro, Lisbon, and Porto Airports – some of Portugal's main airports,' he added. 'This is not good enough, and the problem will only worsen as we go further into the summer season and traffic numbers increase.' Mr McMahon said that Ryanair calls on the new government 'to urgently intervene' so that 'Portuguese families will not be forced to suffer 2.5-hour-long queues just to get away on their well-deserved holidays.' Ryanair's statement comes a week after Faro Airport announced it would roll out e-gate access for British arrivals. Faro is a popular destination for Brits to visit, being the gateway to the Algarve region, dotted with golf courses and long, sandy beaches backed by dramatic cliffs. The UK government expects that British holidaymakers in their 'millions' will be able to use e-gate technology this summer. Prime Minister Keir Starmer struck the deal last month. He said that 'for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos'. However, British passengers at Faro Airport say they are still caught up in long queues of nearly half an hour at border control. Francisco Vieira Pita, director of ANAl, told local media last month that border control authorities are in the process of updating the Internal Security System (SSI). 'That upgrade is, in fact, causing longer wait times in some cases. ANA is working closely with the relevant authorities to minimise the impact on passengers' experience,' he said. According to local press, Portugal's PSP police force announced it would be deploying 500 new officers to boost border control in Portuguese airports by July, hoping to fix the issue amid the summer tourist boom.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store