Weird Laws in Europe That Everyone Should Know

France

It’s Illegal to Kiss at the Train Station

France is the top travel destination as well as one of the most romantic countries in the world. Don’t be surprised to see couples kiss everywhere. However, kissing in the train station is forbidden. There is this puzzling ban because, in 1910, a couple before parting hugged each other for so long that the whole train had to depart slowly to wait for this young man.

Since then, in order to ensure trains do not miss schedules because of a similar incident, stations across France have introduced a law banning kissing on the station platform. However, they still set up special “kissing zones” where lovers can stay together for a little longer.

Germany

Note Your Gasoline

Running out of gas is often a rare and undesirable situation for many people. Nevertheless, the German government considers this an illegal act if you leave your car out of gas on a motorway reserved for cars. Also, the government prohibits walking along these roads.

Driving with Flip-flops is Prohibited

Not as much as gasoline, but the Germany government is especially sensitive to sandals or flip-flops. Driving while wearing these flip-flops is considered offence in this lovely country.

Greece

Don’t Take Pebbles on the Beach

Lalaria Beach on Skiathos Island, where the movie Mamma Mia! was filmed, is full of beautiful white pebbles. Visitors love them and often bring them back as souvenirs. Concerned that this could destroy the beach, taking away pebbles is banned and violators can be fined up to 775 euros.

No High Heels

In Greece, many historic buildings, such as the Acropolis of Athens, forbid visitors from wearing high heels. The ban was put in place to prevent the destruction of ancient structures caused by the heels.

Italy

Don’t Feed the Pigeon in St Mark’s Square, Venice

Italy has one of the weird laws in Europe, including feeding pigeons. Indeed, you can be fined if you feed pigeons in the famous St Mark’s Square in Venice. This law was introduced to reduce the overcrowding of pigeons here and to avoid damage to the historic buildings here. Currently, if you are caught feeding pigeons, you can pay a fine of up to 700 euros.

Bikini Ban in Sorrento

Recently, the Sorrento resort in Italy banned guests from wearing bikinis for “indecent” and issued a fine of 500 euros for violators. This law also includes topless ones.

Ticket to Venice

From 2023, visitors will have to pay a fee of about 3-10 euros to visit Venice. Those who deliberately “evade fees” will be fined up to 300 euros.

Poland

No Pooh Bear T-shirts

Pooh bear with full body yellow fur and no pants. Because of this, Poland has issued a ban on the appearance of this bear’s images around playgrounds and schools. To avoid trouble, it’s best to leave your Pooh bear t-shirt at home when visiting this Eastern European country.

Portugal

No Smoking in Public

You may think this is weird, but it’s true. Portugal bans smoking in enclosed public spaces. Violators will be fined up to 750 euros.

Let’s Camping at Home

Camping in the wilderness is banned in this country, with fines of up to 600 euros. Actually, there are exceptions, and there are considerations for different situations. You should do more research, or ask the officials in your area before camping in this country.

Scotland

Don’t Ride Ox When Drunk

It would be remiss to visit Scotland without tasting the famous whiskey. But before you raise a glass, you should know that Scottish law prohibits certain acts of drunkenness. To be precise, an 1872 law states that people are not allowed to be intoxicated while riding an ox, horse, carriage, or steam engine.

Spain

You Aren’t the Builder, so NO Sandcastle, Please!

Want to build sandcastles on Levante beach in Benidorm? You will need to apply for a permit first. Otherwise, you will be fined up to 150 euros. Last but not least, smoking, sleeping, and using shampoo or body wash on the beach can also cost you hundreds of euros.

Enjoy Beer, But not in the Public

Travelers who want to drink beer while out walking in Madrid or Barcelona beware. Yes, drinking alcohol in public is prohibited in these cities, with fines of up to 600 euros.

Be Polite Guys

The beautiful city of Barcelona will not be friendly and benevolent to you if you give a spit, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Indeed, spitting is a prohibited practice in this city.

Switzerland

LOL, Clothes are Inconvenient for Climbing

No one would think that a person can go without clothes when climbing, but this happened in a Swiss canton. A lot of people complain about tourists who are naked when climbing mountains, specifically related to German tourists. So in 2009, the state enacted a special ban, according to which no one is allowed to climb mountains in the nude.

Don’t Drink So Much Water

Because you aren’t allowed to urinate after 10 p.m. This is one of the strangest and weirdest things in Switzerland that makes many visitors feel excited. The reason for the ban is to avoid making a lot of noise, affecting other people’s sleep. Even, some buildings regulate that toilets are not flushed after 10 p.m.

Goodbye Photographers

Fortunately, this ban is only in the village of Bravuogn, not in the whole of Switzerland. This village has the most appreciated beauty in Europe, so tourists come here a lot. Because the image of the village is spread too much online, people will feel bored and do not want to visit the village anymore. Thus, a ban on photography was issued.