Like other countries, Spain has its fair share of quirky rules. Here is a look at some of Spain’s oddest laws.
In Seville, for instance, playing dominoes or dice on bar terraces is banned. The idea is to keep noise down, though it’s odd since big celebrations with loud fireworks are allowed. Along with that, eating or drinking right next to bar terraces or rolling beer kegs on the ground is also forbidden.
Also in Seville, digging through rubbish bins can land you a hefty fine of €750, as per local waste rules. Over in Bilbao and Velez, Malaga, sleeping in your car is against the law.
Spain’s oddest laws include a ban on baby names
At many Spanish beaches, saving a spot by leaving your things there is banned and can lead to fines anywhere from €300 to €3,000. In places like Cullera, Valencia, the fine hits the higher end of that scale.
When it comes to baby names, Spain has strict rules to avoid giving children names that could cause teasing or have bad meanings. Names like Osama Bin Laden, Lucifer, or Hitler are out.
You also can’t name kids after famous people, like Michael Jackson, unless you share the same surname. Plus, giving two siblings the same name or using two compound names together is not allowed.
No seatbelt rubbing in Spain
In some cities, including Barcelona and Valladolid, it’s illegal to walk around without a T-shirt. Exceptions are made only if something unexpected causes you to lose it. Fines can be between €120 and €300.
Feeding stray animals, such as dogs and cats, is banned in many places and can come with fines of over €1,000. This rule aims to prevent harm caused by feeding them.
On a national level, driving without a top is forbidden because seatbelts rubbing on bare skin can be dangerous. The fine for this ranges from €80 to €200.
Only tuneful singers on the streets of Madrid
If you want to sing on the streets of Madrid, you have to pass an exam introduced by the former mayor Ana Botella to reduce noise pollution.
In Villanueva de la Torre, Guadalajara, keeping mops on balconies is banned, mainly to avoid bad smells. Zamora goes further by banning singing and shouting in the streets at all times, and watering balconies is only allowed late at night or early in the morning.
One law that thankfully no longer exists was the “sun tax.” This forced people who installed solar panels to pay a fee for using the electricity grid, even though they were producing their own power.
Hitchhiking is banned on motorways and dual carriageways but allowed on national roads. Breaking this rule could mean an €80 fine for both the hitchhiker and the driver.
So, while some laws in Spain might leave you scratching your head, they do reflect local concerns and traditions, sometimes more sensible than they first appear.
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