From a ban on peeing in the sea to a hefty fine for stealing pebbles: Quirky foreign laws to know before your holiday
If you’re heading abroad this summer, the last thing you want to do is find yourself in trouble with the law.
That’s why it’s important to check up on any local laws or customs that might catch you out on your holiday.
We’ve compiled some of the more unusual rules below, so your trip goes off without a hitch:
Peeing into the sea: The city of Vigo in Spain introduced a ban on performing a “physiological evacuation at sea or on the beach” back in 2022. Ignore this and you could get a €750 (£650) fine, though how it is enforced is a mystery…
Watching unlicensed bingo: Yes, really. If you’re in Portugal this summer and happen to see a game of bingo going on in the park, avoid it! Bingo falls under gambling laws, so playing or watching non-licensed games can see you fined or even jailed, according to UK Foreign Office advice.
Stealing pebbles: Heading to one of Italy‘s famous beaches? Stealing a pebble could see you fined huge sums – something we covered after more than 40 tourists got in trouble in Sardinia in 2021.
But the Foreign Office website explains it’s a broader rule – it’s illegal to “remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy”. Fines could be as high as €1,000 (£865).
Its advice adds: “On the island of Capri, you must not use or bring on to the island any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays and straws. If you do, you could be fined up to 500 euros.”
It’s also forbidden to collect various Italian species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountainous and wooded areas.
Feeding pigeons: It might be a common sight in the UK, but if you try this in Singapore, you could be fined up to $500 (£290).
Disputing your bill: In some places in Japan, raising a dispute over your bill can lead to your arrest. Always make sure your menu has prices on it before you eat or drink in bars and restaurants.
Now for some of the rules that you probably shouldn’t be breaking anywhere, including the UK…
Spitting in public: This one is a big no-no in Hong Kong, where either littering or spitting in the street can incur an on-the-spot fine of nearly £300.
Mooning: Exposing one’s bum in Greece is not tolerated by police, where you can land a fine or prison time for doing so under its rules targeting “rowdy and indecent behaviour”.
Tearing up bank notes: Another one you definitely shouldn’t be doing anywhere. Over in Turkey, “defacing” cash could land you in prison. It’s an offence to insult the Turkish nation or national flag, punishable by jail sentences between six months and three years.
Crossing on a red man: It’s bad karma in the UK and apparently so in Germany, too. Crossing a road when the red light is on can mean an immediate €5 (£4) fine or, if you cause an accident, €10 (£8).
Wearing camouflage: In a rule that should be adopted worldwide, the Caribbean bans people from wearing camouflage. It’s not for fashion reasons but because of its association with military uniforms.
Remember, the government’s foreign travel advice website has everything you need to know about a country before you travel.
If you need emergency help while abroad, you can reach out to the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate.
