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Date Published: 28/07/2023

Umbrella wars: fines of up to 3,000 euros for beach hoggers in Spain

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Authorities in Spain are cracking down on beachgoers reserving spots with deckchairs and umbrellas

Umbrella wars: fines of up to 3,000 euros for beach hoggers in Spain

It’s practically the sound of the summer: tourists and locals alike arguing over every square inch of sand on Spain’s packed beaches. The problem is escalating though, with beachgoers up and down the country claiming they can’t find space to sunbathe because others have marked out their territory at the crack of dawn with deckchairs, umbrellas and towels.

The situation came to a head this week in Benidorm when multiple photos were published by the British press of half the resort’s famous Levante beach covered in empty sunbeds. It seems that while most tourists are sleeping off the night before, savvy early birds are securing the prime seafront spots before disappearing for a few hours.

Although the use of Spanish beaches is regulated by Coastal Law 22/88, each municipality can regulate and establish its own rules on this public space.

But be warned: in towns where reserving a spot on the sand is banned, fines for breaking the rules can be as high as 3,000 euros.

Where is the practice banned?

Several municipalities in Malaga have outlawed reserving beach space this summer, including Torrox, Vélez-Málaga, Nerja and Algarrobo. Here, bathers hogging areas without using them will be fined up to 300 euros. What’s more, if the police remove any belongings that are blocking others from enjoying the beach, like empty deck chairs or unused umbrellas, their owners will have to pay 50 euros to get them back.

In the Valencian Community, so-called beach hoggers are banned in the capital, Gandía and Cullera, where fines can range from 750 euros to 3,000.

The regulations extend to the towns of Calpe, Altea, Torrevieja and Denia in Alicante province. In Castellón the practice is prohibited in the municipalities of Oropesa del Mar and Peñíscola. Likewise, in the Region of Murcia, it is forbidden on the beaches of San Javier.

In Cádiz it’s banned on the coast of Tarifa and in Granada it is also regulated by the Almuñecar, Torrenueva Costa and Motril Town Halls. Finally, reserving a space is not allowed on the beaches of Níjar or Adra.

Benidorm

Since it’s making international headlines, Benidorm City Council hastened to point out that sanctions for this kind of behaviour are not very common, and a spokesperson appealed to all beachgoers to act responsibly and with respect for others.

In most cases, they said, people will pick their spot and then go off for a walk, returning a short time later, which is absolutely within the law. It’s only when people leave the beach that there’s an issue.

The Local Police added that they usually only come down hard on repeat offenders: "These incidents are minimal, they do not represent any real problem," they explained.

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Image: Freepik

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