Are you planning an overseas holiday soon? Avoid fines by knowing these new rules
- Replies 7
Are you dreaming of a European summer filled with gelato in Rome, lazy afternoons on Greek beaches, and tapas under the Spanish sun?
You’re not alone—Europe is one of Aussie adventurers’ favourite playgrounds, especially when the winter chill sets in.
Before you dust off your passport and start packing your swimmers, there’s a new set of rules sweeping across the continent that every globetrotter needs to know about.
Europe has always been a welcoming destination for Australians, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious food.
Yet, as tourism numbers bounce back post-pandemic, many hotspots started tightening the reins on unruly behaviour.
The continent has introduced stricter laws to protect their local way of life.
‘We now access continental Europe with a single visa, but that doesn’t mean a single set of laws,’ Quentin Long, the Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, explained.
‘Aussies need to be hyper-aware of local customs and rules, which are becoming stricter every year.’
What might be considered a harmless bit of fun in Bondi could land Aussies in hot water, especially in spots like Barcelona, Venice, or Mykonos.
One of the biggest shake-ups this year is the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
This new system would require all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Zone to be fingerprinted and photographed.
Travellers' biometric data will be stored, and their length of stay should be tracked digitally.
Aussie travellers who will return to the continent within three years should be able to clear the border with a face scan or a fingerprint.
The system is set to launch in October 2025.
While Aussies can still visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa, border officials would implement stricter regulations about overstays, missing passport stamps, and registration requirements.
Travellers should ensure that their passports are valid for at least three months after their planned departure, and allow ample time for renewal.
Across Europe, seemingly minor slip-ups can now result in eye-watering fines:
Italy
Going topless off the beach in Sorrento could cost travellers $800 in fines.
Sitting on Rome’s Spanish Steps could cost violators $600.
Taking a dip in a fountain? That’s $800 down the drain.
Hiking in thongs in Cinque Terre could cost you a staggering amount of $4,000.
Venice has also implemented a new $8 day-tripper fee.
France
Oversized luggage on a train could attract $80 in fines.
Despite the privacy hotel rooms promise, being seen naked in your accommodation could cost you $24,000.
The country also implemented a smoking ban in most outdoor places.
Spain
While Ibiza is a popular beach destination, wearing a bikini away from the beach could cost you $600 or more.
Drinking on the streets could also attract $2,000 in fines.
Party boats are already banned, and all-inclusive hotel deals now have a six-drink daily cap.
Meanwhile, in Palma de Mallorca, antisocial behaviour can cost you over $5,000.
Wearing swimwear in the city is an offence with at least $500 in fines.
The Canary Islands have $5,000 fines for street drinking, smoking on the beach, or bringing a BBQ, umbrella, or tent.
Several communities in the country have expressed their disdain towards over-tourism.
Watch DW News' story about it here:
Source: DW News/YouTube
Greece
Exploring archaeological sites in inappropriate footwear like heels could attract varying fines.
Being topless in public, smoking indoors, or pocketing pebbles from the beach also come with corresponding penalties.
Portugal
In Albufeira, public nudity will set travellers back $3,000.
Meanwhile, wearing a bikini away from the water or public urination could cost over $2,000.
In Lisbon, excessive noise in quiet zones could mean a fine of $3,000 minimum.
Croatia
In Split, public urination, nudity, vomiting in the street, or napping in public could all attract fines.
Hvar is also cracking down on swimwear off the beach, topless sunbathing, and drunkenness.
Turkey
While other countries have similar rules towards public indecency, Turkey has a more out-of-left-field rule everyone should be aware of.
Despite it being a norm, standing up before the plane has fully stopped could cost travellers varying fines.
Netherlands
Amsterdam has been targeting rowdy tourists with $140 fines for littering, urination, drunkenness, or participating in group debauchery.
So why are these rules in place?
Locals across Europe are fed up with ‘hedonistic tourism’: think drunken antics, noise, and disrespect for local customs.
Governments have responded with tough new laws and fines to protect their communities and preserve their cultural heritage.
‘If you think you can just, like, scoot on through town with a little bikini top, I wouldn’t recommend it,’ one Aussie traveller recently warned.
‘Don’t do it, you’ve been warned.’
What are non-EU countries doing?
Outside of the EU, several countries have also implemented regulations for Aussie travellers.
Since January this year, Australians heading to the United Kingdom must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure.
It costs $30 and should be valid for multiple entries over two years until their passport expires.
Brazil now requires a visa for Aussie tourists.
Bali, Indonesia has introduced a tourist tax and visa, payable online or at the airport.
On the flip side, China started offering visa-free entry for up to 30 days until the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, South Korea waived its K-ETA requirement for Aussies until 31 December 2025.
So, before heading out to your next holiday destination, study up on a country’s laws, or talk to a travel agent to discuss these changes.
Happy travels, and may your next adventure be memorable for all the right reasons!
Has a strange local law caught you out or copped a fine while travelling? Do you have a funny story about Aussie antics you have seen abroad? We’d love to hear your experiences, so please share your stories with us in the comments below.
You’re not alone—Europe is one of Aussie adventurers’ favourite playgrounds, especially when the winter chill sets in.
Before you dust off your passport and start packing your swimmers, there’s a new set of rules sweeping across the continent that every globetrotter needs to know about.
Europe has always been a welcoming destination for Australians, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious food.
Yet, as tourism numbers bounce back post-pandemic, many hotspots started tightening the reins on unruly behaviour.
The continent has introduced stricter laws to protect their local way of life.
‘We now access continental Europe with a single visa, but that doesn’t mean a single set of laws,’ Quentin Long, the Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, explained.
‘Aussies need to be hyper-aware of local customs and rules, which are becoming stricter every year.’
What might be considered a harmless bit of fun in Bondi could land Aussies in hot water, especially in spots like Barcelona, Venice, or Mykonos.
One of the biggest shake-ups this year is the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
This new system would require all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Zone to be fingerprinted and photographed.
Travellers' biometric data will be stored, and their length of stay should be tracked digitally.
Aussie travellers who will return to the continent within three years should be able to clear the border with a face scan or a fingerprint.
The system is set to launch in October 2025.
While Aussies can still visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa, border officials would implement stricter regulations about overstays, missing passport stamps, and registration requirements.
Travellers should ensure that their passports are valid for at least three months after their planned departure, and allow ample time for renewal.
Across Europe, seemingly minor slip-ups can now result in eye-watering fines:
Italy
Going topless off the beach in Sorrento could cost travellers $800 in fines.
Sitting on Rome’s Spanish Steps could cost violators $600.
Taking a dip in a fountain? That’s $800 down the drain.
Hiking in thongs in Cinque Terre could cost you a staggering amount of $4,000.
Venice has also implemented a new $8 day-tripper fee.
France
Oversized luggage on a train could attract $80 in fines.
Despite the privacy hotel rooms promise, being seen naked in your accommodation could cost you $24,000.
The country also implemented a smoking ban in most outdoor places.
Spain
While Ibiza is a popular beach destination, wearing a bikini away from the beach could cost you $600 or more.
Drinking on the streets could also attract $2,000 in fines.
Party boats are already banned, and all-inclusive hotel deals now have a six-drink daily cap.
Meanwhile, in Palma de Mallorca, antisocial behaviour can cost you over $5,000.
Wearing swimwear in the city is an offence with at least $500 in fines.
The Canary Islands have $5,000 fines for street drinking, smoking on the beach, or bringing a BBQ, umbrella, or tent.
Several communities in the country have expressed their disdain towards over-tourism.
Watch DW News' story about it here:
Source: DW News/YouTube
Greece
Exploring archaeological sites in inappropriate footwear like heels could attract varying fines.
Being topless in public, smoking indoors, or pocketing pebbles from the beach also come with corresponding penalties.
Portugal
In Albufeira, public nudity will set travellers back $3,000.
Meanwhile, wearing a bikini away from the water or public urination could cost over $2,000.
In Lisbon, excessive noise in quiet zones could mean a fine of $3,000 minimum.
Croatia
In Split, public urination, nudity, vomiting in the street, or napping in public could all attract fines.
Hvar is also cracking down on swimwear off the beach, topless sunbathing, and drunkenness.
Turkey
While other countries have similar rules towards public indecency, Turkey has a more out-of-left-field rule everyone should be aware of.
Despite it being a norm, standing up before the plane has fully stopped could cost travellers varying fines.
Netherlands
Amsterdam has been targeting rowdy tourists with $140 fines for littering, urination, drunkenness, or participating in group debauchery.
So why are these rules in place?
Locals across Europe are fed up with ‘hedonistic tourism’: think drunken antics, noise, and disrespect for local customs.
Governments have responded with tough new laws and fines to protect their communities and preserve their cultural heritage.
‘If you think you can just, like, scoot on through town with a little bikini top, I wouldn’t recommend it,’ one Aussie traveller recently warned.
‘Don’t do it, you’ve been warned.’
What are non-EU countries doing?
Outside of the EU, several countries have also implemented regulations for Aussie travellers.
Since January this year, Australians heading to the United Kingdom must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure.
It costs $30 and should be valid for multiple entries over two years until their passport expires.
Brazil now requires a visa for Aussie tourists.
Bali, Indonesia has introduced a tourist tax and visa, payable online or at the airport.
On the flip side, China started offering visa-free entry for up to 30 days until the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, South Korea waived its K-ETA requirement for Aussies until 31 December 2025.
So, before heading out to your next holiday destination, study up on a country’s laws, or talk to a travel agent to discuss these changes.
Happy travels, and may your next adventure be memorable for all the right reasons!
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