Albufeira is not a single case in Europe: several places in Spain, Italy and Croatia have similar measures against swimwear in public zones.
From this Friday, the Code of Behavior of the Municipality of Albufeira is in public consultation, which foresees fines for nudity and circulation with bikinis or bath facts in public areas.
The document establishes the prohibition of “remain or circulating in a state of partial nakednessAnd the exhibition in public zones with “swimwear – Bikini, triquin, bath and similar, shorts and underwear ”, except on beaches, bathing zones and access, such as parking parks, or exterior spaces for collective use of hotel units.
Until abandoning supermarket carts may be the target of fines that reach 1,500 euros.
But none of this is unique to Albufeira. There are identical measures in several European cities, some of them in the neighboring country.
Spain
Barcelona It was apparently the first to define the tendency for the ban on bathing facts in public spaces. The Spanish city enacted its first law in 2011in order to wage the influx of tourists who used only bath and bikinis shorts while strolling through the famous La Rambla and other streets in the city center.
Although it is by the sea, it is not a bathing resort, and some inhabitants expressed their discomfort with the informal and festive environment of tourists.
The capital of the Balear Islands, Mallorcafollowed by Barcelona’s footsteps by implementing a similar law in 2014. The law prohibits the use of swimsuits in public spaces such as streets and restaurants, outside the beach zones. Many establishments prevent entry to those who are not completely dressed.
Croatia
Dubrovnik It is another city that has suppressed the use of swimwear in public. The Croatian, who has suffered a huge overcrowding due to tourism, introduced her policy “respecting the city” in 2019 to encourage tourists to respect local customs and heritage, especially in the old town, protected by UNESCO.
Authorities have made it clear that it is not acceptable to walk in a bath or topless. The fine for disrespect to this rule can reach 265 euros for the repeat offenders.
Splitanother Croatian jewelry on the coast of Dalmácia, followed Dubrovnik’s example by imposing similar clothing codes. The city introduced fines up to 300 euros for tourists who are taken to use swimsuits outside the beach zones.
The neighboring island of Hvarknown for its lively party environment, also prohibited the practice in 2017, with fines that can reach 600 euros.
Italy
On the amalfitana coast, the picturesque city of Sorrento It is part of the list of cities that prohibit the use of swimsuits on their streets. Tourists who bounce bikinis and swimwear outside the beaches are subject to fines of up to 500 euros.
Venice It was one of the first Italian cities to discourage the use of swimsuits outside the beach zones. In 2013, the city introduced a set of guidelines under the motto “Venezia è Anche Tu, Rispettala!”, Installing visitors to respect the city’s cultural heritage. The campaign exposed explicitly forbidding a bikini and bath shorts, as well as other behaviors such as picnics near St. Mark’s basilica or swim in the channels. Those who ignore these rules are punished with a fine of 500 euros.
Albufeira: Everything that will be prohibited and the target of fines
With the intention of maintaining tranquility, security and public hygiene, the code also imposes offenses for those who “remain or circulate in a state of Complete Nudity”Or“ Circle or remain with exposed sexual organ”In public zones or transport.
“It is urgent to establish measures that allow it to deal effectively with the adoption of abusive behaviors, namely, by those looking for the municipality of Albufeira as a tourist destination”, Justified the municipality in the notice published in Diário da República, stressing that he wants to“ prevent the practice of acts that, by their nature, can cause undesirable damages for the resident population and image of the county as a tourist destination ”.
It is also prohibited to “practice or simulation of any type of sexual actindividually or not ”, the Consumption of alcohol, stay overnight, defecating, urinating spit, camping or installing any camp, making any types of foods, as well as sports, recreational, cultural, leisure or artistic practice outside the places especially dedicated to the purpose”, Determines the code.
O noiseboth individual and group, in residential areas, the “use of urban furniture in order to make it impossible or hinder its use” and the use of municipal goods for purposes that are not foreseen are also prohibited by the Municipality’s Code of Behavior.
O vandalism Lighting and public furniture structures are also punished as fines by the code.
The fines
The offenses for the use of a bikini or bathing fact outside authorized zones range from 300 and 1,500 euros. Whoever practices sex or walking totally stripped of the public road is subject to an offense between the 500 and 1,800 euros.
The payment of amounts of 150 to 750 euros for those who camp or practice sports in unauthorized areas.
“The jurisdiction to institute offense procedure, as well as for the application of fines, it is up to the mayor of Albufeira, with the faculty of delegation under the law,” says the notice.
Punitive measures may also be “revoking the public space occupation license”, “open terrace removal”, “opening hours reduction”.
The offenses attributable to economic agents range from 250 to 1,200, from 500 to 2,500 and from 1,000 to 4,000 euros, according to the code.
Is the measure in Albufeira already in place?
The project of the Code of Behavior of the Municipality of Albufeira was approved in the Chamber session on January 27 and, after the incorporation of the contributions of the public consultation, will be submitted to the Municipal Assembly for approval.
The warning was published on Wednesday in Diário da República and the public consultation extends for 30 days, from the day following the date of its publication.
