Strict rules on vacation: How to avoid unpleasant surprises!

Strict rules on vacation: How to avoid unpleasant surprises!

More and more people are moving away, but they are often surprised by unpleasant surprises in the form of laws and regulations during their vacation. To avoid penalties and embarrassing situations, it is advisable to research the laws and customs of each country before traveling. Rosenheim24 reports that There are strict regulations in many popular travel countries that tourists should definitely follow.

In Singapore, for example, chewing gum has been banned since 1992. Anyone who violates this ban and imports or consumes chewing gum must expect high fines of up to 300 euros. In Venice, too, it is important to observe the appropriate regulations: sitting on public stairs or bridges can be punished with fines of between 25 and 500 euros. In addition, eating and drinking on the floor is prohibited, which always causes confusion for the many tourists.

Alcohol consumption and freedom of movement abroad

In Spain, particularly in Barcelona and Mallorca, it is illegal to consume alcohol on public streets. There are fines in the range of 500 to 1,000 euros, and the sale of alcohol between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. is also severely restricted. In the United States, the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to those over the age of 21, and many other countries, including Canada and Saudi Arabia, ban alcohol consumption in public altogether.

The legal situation regarding freedom of movement and nudity is much stricter in many countries than in Germany, where clothing-free beach sections are common. In countries like Brazil, South Africa and the USA, nudism can quickly lead to problems with the police, so travelers should be careful.

Photography and LGBTQ+ rights

There are also country-specific regulations to follow when taking photos. In many countries such as Egypt or Greece, photographing military installations can lead to harsh penalties. Travelers should inform themselves about the relevant laws to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In addition, the issue of same-sex equality is sensitive in many countries. While the Netherlands allowed same-sex marriages in 2001, in many countries such as Qatar and Malaysia, same-sex relationships are legally risky and can even be prosecuted. In Russia, propaganda of homosexuality has been banned since 2013, and violations can be punished with heavy fines and imprisonment. BDAE highlights that Travelers should definitely pay attention to different customs and laws in order to avoid misunderstandings and penalties.

So before you start your next trip, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the laws and customs. This is particularly the case in countries like Greece, where drone flights without authorization are banned, which can result in high fines of between 500 and 250,000 euros. Tourists in Portugal are also warned: urinating in the sea could be punished with fines of 750 euros to 3,000 euros. Good preparation is the key to a relaxed and carefree holiday.