Spain holiday warning for Irish tourists over €30,000 fines

IRISH holidaymakers face fines of up to €30,000 for attending illegal parties in Spanish holiday hotspots.

Travelers going to illegal parties in the Balearic Islands could face hefty fines, said to range from €300 to €30,000.

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The organizers of an illegal party could be fined up to 300,000 euros.

These fines apply to party-goers in hotspots like Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca.

Food and drink suppliers and marquee providers could also be hit by the same hefty sum.

Announcing the plans, Balearic Government member Mercedes Garrido said: “We have been looking for measures to stop illegal parties and make organizers think twice when planning a party.”

He and Ibiza, as well as Ibiza Council President Vicent Marí, said the changes could be rolled out for the summer season and would target parties that charge an entry fee and unlicensed advertising.

This means the new rules are unlikely to penalize small family gatherings but could hit big dos, which Balearic officials said were booming during the pandemic.

The measures come as officials in Mallorca and Ibiza have cracked down on the chaos and drunken behavior caused by alcohol.

And vacationers looking for a rollicking Spanish vacation will have their plans ruined as popular resorts have limited the number of drinks that can be served.

Irish tourists staying in Ibiza and Mallorca are only allowed to have six drinks a day when staying in all-inclusive resorts.

Tourists in the popular holiday hotspots of Magaluf on Mallorca and some areas of the party island of Ibiza are affected by the regulations.

Tourists can only enjoy three free drinks with lunch and three with dinner.

In addition, open bars and happy hours, as well as advertising that promotes alcohol consumption, including party boats or pub crawls, will be banned.

Self-service machines and off-licences are closed daily from 9:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

And holidaymakers who break these rules could be fined between €1,000 and €6,000.

Tourism establishments that break these laws may have to pay between €60,000 and €600,000 and could face a three-year closure.

Balearic leaders say they want to bolster the image of party resorts known for their intoxication and bad behavior.

But hotel owners are said to be concerned — tourists are reportedly already opting for alternative options outside of the strict zones.