When planning a trip abroad it’s important to do some research about the country you’re going to visit, and this should include the laws it has in place.
Many countries have very different rules from those in Britain, and it’s important to respect them when travelling abroad.
Some countries have harsher laws than others, and in Italy, there is one rude act that could land you in rather a lot of financial trouble.
The Foreign Office warned on its travel advice page for Italy that in the country “you could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros [£8,600] for urinating in a public place.”
This fine far outweighs other countries when it comes to public urination.
In 2017, a 19-year-old was hit with a penalty of €10,000 for public urination in the northern Italian city of Genoa. However, it was later reported by The Local Italy that the fine was reduced to a third of the total figure because he was able to pay straight away.
If you’re caught publicly peeing in the UK, it will set you back a mere £100-£150, while in Canada it can be as much as C$900 (£506).
Regardless of the financial implications, many understand that the offence is considered rude and unhygienic.
In the popular Spanish resort of Marbella, officials plan to fine tourists up to €750 (£630) if they urinate in the sea. The city council approved the plans in June this year, although it is unclear how the culprits will be identified.
The previous fine for the offence in the resort stood at €300 (£254) as of 2004.
Even steeper fines are issued to visitors in Benidorm if they set foot on the sands between midnight and 7am. Tourists could face penalties of up to €1,200 (£1,025) for breaching this rule.
Smoking on the beach in Benidorm will also incur a hefty penalty of €2,000 (£1,700), and the use of soap and shampoo while showering at the beach can set you back £560.
These fines highlight the importance of checking the local rules and regulations before you relax in the country you’re visiting.