If you’re heading to Albufeira this summer, you may want to take note of a number of recent changes in local legislation to avoid you getting into any unnecessary trouble.
Nicola Boswell, a British woman living in Portugal, took to TikTok to clear up what the changes mean for you as a holidaymaker in the popular Algarve resort. Reporting on the new conduct of conduct, she explained: “We had been talking about this law about walking around with no top on or walking the streets in a bikini – well it’s now official.”
She clarified: “It is now forbidden, the law has been passed. As of June 24, all these things are now in force.”
Holiding a copy of the Portugal Resident newspaper, Nicola went on to read out a list of all the new laws that came into effect on this date.
These include: “Wearing a bikinis or swimwear outside of a beach or pool zones results in fines of between €300 and €1,500.”
Elsewhere, it is now prohibited to drink alcohol in the street, whilst urinating or defecating also results in the same range of penalty. Nicola continued: “Nude or sexual acts in public also face fines between €300 and €1,500.”
Continuing her clip, Nicola noted that wild camping, sleeping rough and spitting in public offences result in fines between €150 and €750.
Summarising, she cautioned: “So guys, it’s official. The lines were blurred before and there was talk of these laws being passed but many people didn’t know for sure and continued to walk around with no tops on and were drinking cans in the street.
“But no, it’s been passed – it’s all no longer accepted.”
The Portugal Resident reports that the changes have been implemented as a result of several cases of “excessive behaviour” last summer.
Unfortunately, these issues have continued this year, according to locals.
Meanwhile, Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo told Lusa news agency of the enforcement: “People have to start changing their mindset and behaviour. Our goal is to prevent these issues and not have to act after they have happened.”
Writing in reponse to Nicola, scores of Brits appeared to welcome the changes. One TikTok user said: “Tourists need to stop and think. Remember, these places are where people live and tourists coming in and going whatever they like impacts their day to day life. Be respectful!”
A second person agreed: “Totally understand why they’ve elected to do this. Unfortunately, too many tourists think going on holiday means they can behave badly. We should be respectful of other people’s places to live.”
A third concurred: “Glad to hear it. We used to go to Albufeira for years and stopped because it turned into what you just described. The Algarve is beautiful and some halions were just ruining it.”
And a fourth added: “Honestly good. I never experienced Albufeira when I was in the Algarve but seeing how tourists treat it… it’s gross.”
Others were less than impressed, however, including one individual who fumed: “What’s their problem with people walking round in bikinis? I understand the antisocial issues that they want to deal with but policing that is wild.”
Whilst another hit out asking: “What’s the difference between dressing a certain way at a swimming pool or in the street nearby? What’s the difference between drinking alcohol ‘on the street’ or on a terrace bar on the street? Some politicians make laws because they have nothing better to do.”