New rules include fines for public nudity or sex, and wearing bikinis outside of bathing areas
Albufeira is preparing to roll out tough new rules aimed at curbing unruly tourist behaviour with its long-announced code of conduct, which is due to come into force in July.
The code of conduct includes fines for wearing bikinis and revealing swimwear outside of beach or bathing areas, as well as public nudity or sex acts, and wild camping in unauthorised areas.
If all goes well, the code of conduct is due to undergo a final vote for approval at the municipal assembly on June 30 before being published in Diário da República, the Portuguese State’s official gazette.
Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo told Lusa news agency this process should be completed by mid-July, meaning the code of conduct will arrive in the peak summer season.
In the meantime, Rolo is already advising local businesses, particularly nightlife venues, to help spread the word to tourists before the rules come into effect.
Under the new code, tourists could face fines ranging from €150 to €1,800, including:
- €300 to €1,500 fines for wearing bikinis or swimwear outside of beach or bathing areas,
- €500 to €1,800 for nudity or public sex,
- and €150 to €750 for wild camping in unauthorised areas.
The mayor said that “no major changes” were made to the initial code of conduct’s initial draft during the public consultation process, explaining “some wording issues were changed and clarified, but nothing special.”
He also said the majority of people who participated in the public consultation process supported the proposal (around 69%).
