With the end of GCSE and A Levels in sight many will be heaving a sigh of relief as summer is about to begin in earnest.
Outfits are being planned, suitcases are being packed and for many, this may be their first trip abroad “unsupervised”. Whilst most holidays will run seamlessly, apart from potential airport delays, flight cancellations or lost luggage, some holidays will end up with unforeseen consequences.
A popular Spanish destination for young adults who want to party is the Balearic Islands, home to Ibiza and Mallorca. Recently, the local government has taken steps to put a stop to the alcohol-fuelled tourism which the islands have become known for.
Included in these measures are restrictions on alcohol available at certain all-inclusive resorts, which I have commented on previously Alcohol restrictions in the Balearic Islands – are you aware? – Enable Law. The Balearic government has now put restrictions in place on illegal gatherings, which seem to have increased during the Covid restrictions.
The fines range in value from €300 to €300,000 and can be handed down to those who participate or organise such gatherings or own the properties where the events take place. Fines at the lower end of the spectrum could apply to those who attend whilst the higher end fines are aimed at more serious incidents where a significant amount of nuisance is caused for example in protected natural areas or homes.
What advice have the UK government given on Spanish house parties?
The British government has included a section on Spanish travel advice as follows:
Irregular commercial parties in villas and private homes
“There have been a number of serious accidents involving people attending irregular commercially promoted parties in villas and private homes on the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. Licensed clubs and bars are required to meet safety and security standards, including emergency exits and capacity limits, and to have trained, licensed security staff on hand. Irregular commercial parties may not meet these standards. You should take care of your belongings, ensure you know where emergency exits are located and not take unnecessary risks.
Heavy fines may be imposed by local authorities to anyone attending irregular commercial parties.”
Make sure you’re not attending illegal events
Illegal events, which are often organised on social media, won’t have these safety requirements in place and if something does go wrong, the consequences can be tragic. It is understood that the Balaeric government is using private detectives to attend parties and pass information on. People are then approached as they leave the events as the police cannot enter the properties without court orders.
Concerns have been raised about the implications for property owners who may not know their property is being used for illicit purposes. It remains to be seen how effective these measures are over the coming months as the traditional holiday season kicks into full swing.
Before making any trip it is essential to ensure you have adequate holiday insurance in place. It should be pointed out that insurance does not generally cover fines issued by the police so if you were to attend an illegal party and get caught you would more than likely have to pay any fine yourself.
Neither do policies extent to paying for legal representation relating to criminal proceedings.
