After a couple of years of the pandemic, Spain welcomed more than 49 million international travelers in 2022. This is due to the country being one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe, as well as the second most visited in the world. What with almost year-round sunshine, some of the world’s best beaches and a rich cultural heritage, it is easy to see why. While it might sound like a good thing to attract so many visitors, Spanish locals are often frustrated by the mess and the noise tourists generate in their home cities.

However, several of the autonomous communities governing Spain want to change this. For this reason, they have introduced new rules and regulations created specifically for tourists. If you are planning a vacation in Spain this summer, read on to find out how you may be affected by the new rules coming into force.

Ensure you have enough money when entering Spain

Tourists entering Spain from outside the EU bloc must be able to prove they have enough money to support themselves during their vacation. Basically, they need to have a minimum of €100 ($110) for each day of their trip, as well as a further €900 ($984) for any emergencies that could happen during their visit. According to Spain’s Minister of the Interior:

Foreigners from third countries must prove if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory, that they have economic resources for entering the country through cash, travelers’ checks, payment letters or credit cards.

While not every traveler is being stopped at the border to check out their bank statements, this rule isn’t being strictly enforced. However, it is important that travelers are ready to reveal their financial status, rather than being turned away if they don’t meet the limits.

No smoking on the beaches

During the pandemic, smoking was banned on restaurant and bar terraces to try to prevent the spread of the COVID virus. Now the pandemic is over, those rules are still in place but have gone further. Now, smoking is completely banned on certain beaches. This is to protect the environment so that people don’t leave their cigarette butts in the sand. It is said that a cigarette filter takes 14 years to break apart, while its toxins seep into the earth and water.

Smoking was banned on all Barcelona’s beaches in 2022 and those who decide to light up could face a fine. Moreover, Spain’s Balearic Islands have already banned smoking on 28 of their beaches. Each beach where smoking is banned will feature a banner alerting tourists and locals of the fact that the beach is “smoke-free.” So far, no fines are being levied, but the local municipality hopes that tourists will follow the rules out of a sense of civic responsibility.

The Costa del Sol in southern Spain has also introduced a no-smoking rule on its many beaches with signs clearly showing where this applies.

Noise pollution in Spain

It is natural when on vacation to want to enjoy a few drinks and have a party. However, Alicante, another of Spain’s popular areas, has tough regulations on noise pollution. In fact, rules were put into place in 2019, fining visitors and entertainment establishments from

€600 to €30,000 for excessive noise, including loud music and dancing. Basically, the cut-off point in Spain is 12 midnight, after which people can be fined for noise pollution.

However, this year, the regulations are being extended to talking too loudly in the street or playing loud music on the beach. When on vacation, tourists rarely think that people living on those streets have to work the next day.

Limits on all-inclusive drinks

Authorities in Spain consider drunk and rowdy tourists to be a major problem. For that reason, the term “all-inclusive” doesn’t cover as much in some Spanish resorts. In the Balearic islands, towns like Magaluf, Playa de Palma and El Arenal in Mallorca, as well as Sant Antoni in Ibiza, have introduced drink limits at all-inclusive hotels and resorts.

With the new rules, guests can have six drinks per day as part of their all-inclusive package, namely three at lunchtime and three drinks with dinner. Guests will have to pay separately for any additional alcoholic beverages.

Dress codes in Spain

New rules were introduced last year by several bars and restaurants in Mallorca, aimed to ensure that tourists were dressed in a way deemed appropriate by local residents. Basically, tourists are banned from wearing swimwear or any kind and tank tops without straps. Men must also keep their shirts on in shops, bars or restaurants.

One no-brainer is the fact that women can sunbathe topless on the beach, but must cover up when returning to the promenade. While that makes so much sense, it is surprising how many casually use the beach showers and then stand around in only the bottom of their bikinis.

Before heading out on that longed-for vacation in Spain, ensure you check out the latest regulations for your destination to avoid disappointment or expensive fines.