784 priced offences · 34 countries

The Highest Fines, By Offence

Ordered by the ceiling written in the law. Every row is one offence in one instrument, and it expands to show the range it really carries and where the figure was read from.

Why there is no strictness score

This page used to rank cities from 0 to 100. The score was half the city’s highest fine, and the other half was its number of rules and how many categories they covered — which are not facts about a city’s law. They are facts about how much research that city has had here. A city written up thoroughly scored above a genuinely harsher one nobody had finished, and the ranking silently rewarded our own effort.

It could not be fixed by re-weighting, because the inputs were wrong rather than badly balanced. Measuring strictness properly would need enforcement rates — how often a rule is actually applied — and no authority in Europe publishes those. So the comparison here is the narrowest one that survives: a single offence, a single instrument, a single ceiling.

Read the ceiling for what it is. It is the top of a range, usually reserved for repeat or aggravated conduct, and the floor of that same range is often far lower. That is why every row opens.

The 60 highest ceilings

Generated from the city and country files, so it never drifts from them. Amounts a business pays and amounts under bills that are not law yet are excluded, for the same reason they never reach a city’s hero badge.

  1. 1Cannabis over the personal limitGermany · nationwide€30,000
    The range
    €5–€30,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Since 1 April 2024 an adult in Germany may carry up to 25 grams of cannabis away from home and keep up to 50 grams at their residence. Between 25 and 30 grams in public, or 50 and 60 grams at home, is an administrative offence under § 36 — and because § 36 sets its own maximum, that offence reaches €30,000 rather than the €1,000 default that applies to German administrative fines generally. Above 30 grams in public or 60 grams in total the regime changes entirely: § 34 makes it a criminal offence carrying up to three years' imprisonment or a criminal fine. There is no federal tariff table for the administrative band, so the €30,000 is a ceiling the authority may reach and not a figure anyone should expect.

    KCanG § 36 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 with Abs. 2 — Nr. 1 sits in the 1-to-6 group, whose maximum is thirty thousand euros; the five euro floor is the general minimum in OWiG § 17 Abs. 1. Above 30 grams away from home or 60 grams in total it stops being an administrative matter and becomes § 34, criminal.

    Konsumcannabisgesetz § 36 — Abs. 1 Nr. 1 covers possessing more than 25 and up to 30 grams away from home, or more than 50 and up to 60 grams in total; Nr. 4 covers consuming contrary to § 5. Abs. 2 sets the maximum Geldbuße for Nr. 1 to 6 at thirty thousand euros, and ten thousand euros in the remaining cases

    All Germany rules
  2. 2Smoking cannabis in the wrong placeGermany · nationwide€30,000
    The range
    €5–€30,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Legal to possess does not mean legal to smoke where you like, and this is where a visitor is far more likely to be caught than on the quantity. § 5 prohibits consumption in the immediate presence of anyone under 18; within sight and under 100 metres of the entrance to a school, playground, children's or youth facility, public sports facility or cultivation association; in pedestrian zones between 07:00 and 20:00; and in Bundeswehr military areas. The pedestrian-zone window is the trap, because it covers the shopping streets of every German city centre for the whole of the working day.

    KCanG § 36 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 with Abs. 2 — consuming contrary to § 5 is in the 1-to-6 group and so carries the thirty thousand euro maximum, with the OWiG § 17 Abs. 1 floor of five euros.

    Konsumcannabisgesetz § 5 — consumption is prohibited in the immediate presence of anyone under 18, within sight at under 100 metres from the entrance of a school, playground, children's or youth facility, public sports facility or cultivation association, in pedestrian zones between 07:00 and 20:00, and in Bundeswehr military areas

    All Germany rules
  3. 3Noise at nightMadrid· unverified€30,000
    The range
    €300–€30,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Madrid enforces strict noise ordinances with serious penalties. Quiet hours are 23:00-07:00 on weekdays and 00:00-08:00 on weekends. Fines for noise violations can reach €30,000 for serious disturbances. Tourist apartments and late-night street gatherings are frequent targets of noise complaints and police action.

    A municipal noise ordinance reaching €30,000 is not plausible: that is the top of the *grave* band in national administrative law, not a figure a city council sets for quiet hours. The Madrid ordinance has not been read.

    Madrid municipal noise ordinance; Ordenanza de Protección contra la Contaminación Acústica.

    All Madrid rules
  4. 4Noise and villa partiesMarbella· unverified€30,000
    The range
    €300–€30,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Marbella enforces strict noise regulations with quiet hours during the siesta period (2pm to 5pm) and overnight (after 11pm). Villa parties are a particular enforcement target — neighbours report noise violations and police respond quickly. Fines escalate dramatically for large private parties in rented villas, with maximum penalties reaching €30,000 for serious disturbances.

    Same shape as Madrid — a €30,000 ceiling on a municipal quiet-hours rule is the *grave* band from national law, not a council tariff. The Marbella ordinance has not been read.

    Marbella municipal noise ordinance; Andalusian environmental noise regulations.

    All Marbella rules
  5. 5Drugs in a public placeSpain · nationwide€30,000
    The range
    €601–€30,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Using or carrying drugs in a street, a public place, a bar or on public transport is a serious administrative infraction across Spain, whether or not it is for your own use and whether or not there is any question of dealing. The band runs from €601 to €30,000, and the paraphernalia counts too — leaving it behind is named in the same article. It is not a criminal conviction, but it is the largest figure a tourist can realistically collect in Spain.

    grave, LO 4/2015 art. 36.16 — art. 39 prices graves at €601–30,000

    Ley Orgánica 4/2015 de protección de la seguridad ciudadana — art. 36.16 classifies public drug use or possession as grave, art. 39 prices graves at €601–30,000

    All Spain rules
  6. 6Noise at nightZürich· unverifiedCHF 10,000≈ €10,500
    The range
    CHF 100–CHF 10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Since January 2025, any 'avoidable noise' between 10 PM and 6 AM is fineable up to CHF 10,000 (~€10,500). Includes hotel room parties, loud exhausts, door slamming. Noise cameras (82 dB threshold) deployed on roads.

    CHF 10000 exceeds the CHF 300 ceiling the Ordnungsbussengesetz sets for a federal fixed penalty, so this is a cantonal or municipal instrument. That law has not been read.

    Swiss Federal Noise Abatement Ordinance; Zürich cantonal noise regulations (2025)

    All Zürich rules
  7. 7Buying counterfeit goodsBilbao· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €200–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit goods (fake designer bags, watches, sunglasses) from street vendors is illegal in Spain. Both the seller and buyer can be fined. Fines for buyers can reach up to €10,000 under Spanish intellectual property law, though typical on-the-spot penalties are lower.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish intellectual property law; Citizen Security Law.

    All Bilbao rules
  8. 8Buying counterfeit goodsGirona· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €200–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit goods (fake designer bags, watches, sunglasses) from street vendors is illegal in Spain. Both the seller and the buyer can be fined. Fines for buyers can theoretically reach €10,000 under Spanish intellectual property law, though typical on-the-spot penalties are lower. Police conduct regular operations targeting counterfeit sales in tourist areas.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish Intellectual Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Intelectual); Catalan police enforcement guidance.

    All Girona rules
  9. 9Buying counterfeit goodsGranada· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €200–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit designer goods from street vendors is illegal in Spain. Under the Citizens' Security Law, buyers can be fined — not just sellers. This is enforced in tourist areas where vendors sell fake handbags, sunglasses, and watches.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish Ley Orgánica 4/2015; Spanish trademark enforcement regulations.

    All Granada rules
  10. 10Buying counterfeit goodsIbiza· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Buying counterfeit designer goods from street vendors is illegal under Spanish intellectual property law — and the law targets buyers, not just sellers. Fines range from €500 to €10,000 for purchasing fake goods. Street vendors selling counterfeit items on beach promenades and markets are common, but buying from them puts you at legal risk.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish intellectual property enforcement law; consumer liability provisions.

    All Ibiza rules
  11. 11Carving or spraying a monumentItaly · nationwide€10,000
    The range
    €1,500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Carving, scratching or spraying anything on a protected monument is a criminal offence in Italy, not a ticket. Art. 518-duodecies of the penal code carries six months to three years in prison plus €1,500–10,000 for defacing or soiling cultural property, and two to five years plus €2,500–15,000 where the damage is structural. Tourists have been prosecuted and given suspended sentences conditional on paying for the restoration.

    art. 518-duodecies co. 2 c.p. — defacing; co. 1 reaches €15,000 for destruction

    Codice penale art. 518-duodecies, introduced by Legge 22/2022 — damage to cultural property: prison plus €1,500–10,000, or €2,500–15,000 for destruction

    All Italy rules
  12. 12Buying counterfeit goodsMadrid· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    In Spain, buying counterfeit goods (fake designer bags, watches, sunglasses) is illegal — not just selling them. Buyers can be fined from €500 up to €10,000. Street vendors selling knockoffs are common around Sol and Gran Vía, but purchasing from them puts you at legal risk.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish intellectual property law; Ley de Marcas.

    All Madrid rules
  13. 13Buying counterfeit goodsMálaga· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    In Spain, buying counterfeit goods is illegal and the buyer — not just the seller — faces fines up to €10,000. Street vendors selling fake designer handbags, watches, sunglasses, and clothing are common near Málaga's beaches and tourist areas. Police conduct regular operations and can fine buyers on the spot. Even possessing counterfeit goods can result in confiscation. The €500 starting fine makes that 'bargain' designer bag very expensive.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish anti-counterfeiting legislation (Ley de Propiedad Intelectual); Spanish Citizen Safety Law.

    All Málaga rules
  14. 14Buying counterfeit goodsMarbella· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit luxury goods (fake designer handbags, watches, sunglasses, clothing) from street vendors in and around Puerto Banús is a fineable offence for the BUYER, not just the seller. Spanish law allows authorities to fine both parties. The Marbella area, particularly Puerto Banús, is one of Spain's biggest hotspots for counterfeit goods sales.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish Intellectual Property Law; Marbella municipal enforcement operations.

    All Marbella rules
  15. 15Anchoring over seagrassMenorca€10,000
    The range
    €1,000–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows surrounding Menorca are strictly protected. Anchoring boats on posidonia beds is one of the most heavily fined environmental offences in the Balearics, with penalties up to €10,000 for recreational vessels. The seagrass is a critical marine ecosystem that provides oxygen, absorbs carbon, and supports fish populations. Satellite monitoring and patrol boats actively enforce this.

    Balearic Islands Posidonia protection decree; Spanish Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.

    All Menorca rules
  16. 16Buying counterfeit goodsMenorca· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit goods (fake designer bags, watches, sunglasses, clothing) from street vendors is illegal for the buyer in Spain, not just the seller. Under the Citizen Safety Law, buyers can be fined €500 to €10,000. Police conduct regular operations targeting counterfeit goods sales at markets and tourist areas. Your items will be confiscated and you'll receive an on-the-spot fine.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish Citizen Safety Law (Ley Orgánica 4/2015); intellectual property enforcement regulations.

    All Menorca rules
  17. 17Nazi Rally Grounds — Respectful Behavior RequiredNuremberg€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    The former Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Documentation Centre are sites of historical significance and remembrance. Performing Nazi salutes, displaying Nazi symbols, or engaging in disrespectful behavior (posing with fascist gestures, making jokes at memorials) is a criminal offense in Germany punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or heavy fines.

    German Criminal Code (StGB) §86a — Use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations.

    All Nuremberg rules
  18. 18Buying counterfeit goodsSan Sebastián· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €200–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit designer goods from street vendors is illegal in Spain. Under the Citizens' Security Law, buyers face fines — not just sellers. While less common in San Sebastián than in Barcelona or Madrid, vendors do appear in tourist areas during summer.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish Ley Orgánica 4/2015; Spanish trademark enforcement regulations.

    All San Sebastián rules
  19. 19Buying counterfeit goodsSeville· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €200–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Buying counterfeit goods in Spain can result in fines up to €10,000 for the buyer. Street vendors selling fake designer goods are common around tourist areas.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish anti-counterfeiting legislation

    All Seville rules
  20. 20Buying counterfeit goodsTenerife· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Purchasing counterfeit designer goods from street vendors is illegal in Spain. Both the seller and the buyer can be fined. This includes fake handbags, watches, sunglasses, and clothing commonly sold on promenades and near beaches.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish intellectual property law; EU anti-counterfeiting directive.

    All Tenerife rules
  21. 21Buying counterfeit goodsValencia· unverified€10,000
    The range
    €500–€10,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Buying counterfeit goods in Spain is illegal and the buyer — not just the seller — faces fines up to €10,000. Street vendors selling fake designer handbags, watches, sunglasses, and clothing are common near Valencia's beaches and tourist areas, especially along the La Malvarrosa promenade and near the Central Market. Police conduct regular operations targeting both sellers and buyers. Even possessing recently purchased counterfeit goods can result in confiscation and fines. The minimum €500 fine makes that 'bargain' designer bag extremely expensive.

    Spain does not sanction the buyer. All four paragraphs of Código Penal art. 274 require the conduct to be “con fines industriales o comerciales”, and they reach the manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, retailer and street vendor — art. 274.3 prices venta ambulante specifically, which is still the seller. No provision sanctioning a private purchaser for personal use was located, and the €10,000 that appears on ten Spanish pages is the figure Italy used to carry before it was corrected. Italy is the country that really does charge the final purchaser, under D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7, at €100–7,000 — which is a different country and a much smaller number.

    Spanish anti-counterfeiting legislation (Ley de Propiedad Intelectual); Spanish Citizen Safety Law (Ley de Seguridad Ciudadana).

    All Valencia rules
  22. 22Buying counterfeit goodsItaly · nationwide€7,000
    The range
    €100–€7,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Italy fines the buyer, not only the seller, and it is the rule tourists get caught by most. Buying goods you could reasonably tell were counterfeit — from the price, the pitch or the pavement it was sold on — is an administrative offence carrying €100 to €7,000, and the goods are confiscated either way. Commercial buyers face €20,000 to €1,000,000, which is a different tier and not what a holidaymaker is exposed to.

    administrative, D.L. 35/2005 art. 1 c. 7 — final purchaser tier

    Decreto legge 35/2005 art. 1 comma 7, converted by Legge 80/2005 and amended by Legge 99/2009 — final purchaser of counterfeit goods: €100 to €7,000 plus confiscation

    All Italy rules
  23. 23Drink drivingBologna· unverified€6,000
    The range
    €500–€6,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Italy's blood alcohol limit is 0.05% — lower than many countries. For drivers with less than 3 years of experience (common for tourists renting a car with a new international licence) the limit is 0.0% — absolute zero tolerance. Police conduct frequent breathalyser checkpoints, especially on weekend nights and around the tangenziale ring road. Penalties include licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and criminal charges for BAC over 0.15%.

    €6000 exceeds the €500 cap that art. 7-bis TUEL sets for municipal ordinances, so it must come from a specific statute. That statute has not been read.

    Italian traffic code (Codice della Strada), Articles 186-187.

    All Bologna rules
  24. 24Noise Restrictions — Quiet Hours Are SacredDresden€5,000
    The range
    €50–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Germany enforces strict quiet hours (Ruhezeiten): 22:00 to 06:00 on weekdays, and all day Sunday and public holidays are considered rest periods. During these times, loud music, parties, and noisy activities are prohibited. Even running a washing machine or drilling on a Sunday can prompt complaints and fines.

    German Federal Immission Control Act; Saxony state noise protection regulations; Dresden municipal ordinance.

    All Dresden rules
  25. 25Graffiti on historic buildingsDubrovnik€5,000
    The range
    €500–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Any form of graffiti, tagging, scratching, or vandalism on Dubrovnik's historic buildings, walls, or structures carries severe penalties. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, damage is treated as a criminal offense.

    Croatian cultural heritage protection law; UNESCO site regulations.

    All Dubrovnik rules
  26. 26Drug possessionDubrovnik€5,000
    The range
    €500–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Cannabis possession for personal use is decriminalized in Croatia but still carries heavy fines. Possession of harder drugs or trafficking carries severe criminal penalties including lengthy prison sentences.

    Croatian drug law; UK Foreign Office advisory.

    All Dubrovnik rules
  27. 27Strict Noise OrdinancesFrankfurt€5,000
    The range
    €50–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Germany enforces strict quiet hours (Ruhezeiten): 22:00–06:00 on weekdays and all day Sunday and public holidays. During these times, activities causing noise — loud music, parties, drilling, even loud conversations on balconies — can trigger complaints and police visits. Repeated violations result in escalating fines.

    German Federal Immission Control Act; Frankfurt noise protection regulations; Hessian state law.

    All Frankfurt rules
  28. 28Noise and quiet daysMunich· unverified€5,000
    The range
    €100–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Germany's quiet hours (Nachtruhe) run from 10 PM to 6 AM on weekdays, with all day Sundays and public holidays designated as quiet time. Bavaria adds additional quiet obligations: a midday quiet period exists in many residential areas, and Bavaria has more public holidays than any other German state (including Assumption Day, Epiphany, and All Saints' Day). Noise violations carry fines from €100 to €5,000 depending on severity and repeat offences. This covers music, parties, loud conversations, DIY work, and any disruptive noise in residential areas.

    €5,000 is five times the €1,000 default maximum OWiG § 17 Abs. 1 sets for a German administrative fine, and that default applies "wenn das Gesetz nichts anderes bestimmt" — unless the statute says otherwise. So this figure needs the Bavarian statute that lifts the ceiling, which has not been located. Quiet hours themselves are not in doubt.

    German noise regulations (TA Lärm); Bavarian public holiday calendar; municipal noise ordinances.

    All Munich rules
  29. 29Noise Ordinances & Quiet HoursNuremberg€5,000
    The range
    €50–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Germany enforces strict quiet hours (Ruhezeiten): 22:00-06:00 on weekdays, and all day on Sundays and public holidays. During these times, excessive noise — loud music, parties, shouting — can result in police calls and fines. This applies to holiday apartments and Airbnbs.

    German Federal Immission Control Act; Bavarian state noise regulations; Nuremberg municipal ordinance.

    All Nuremberg rules
  30. 30Quiet Sunday — Even Stricter in BavariaNuremberg€5,000
    The range
    €100–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Bavaria enforces Sunday quiet hours more strictly than other German states. On Sundays and public holidays, virtually all noisy activities are prohibited — lawn mowing, drilling, vacuuming audibly, car washing at home, and even hanging laundry in shared outdoor areas can be restricted by house rules. Shops are closed (except bakeries for a few hours and petrol station shops). Fines for violating Sunday quiet can reach €5,000.

    Bavarian Immission Control Act (BayImSchG); federal quiet hours regulations; Nuremberg municipal ordinance.

    All Nuremberg rules
  31. 31Taking sand, shells or pebblesSardinia· unverified€5,000
    The range
    €300–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Removing sand, shells, pebbles, sea glass, or rocks from any Sardinian beach is illegal and fines range from €300 to €5,000 depending on quantity. Sardinia is the only place in Europe with systematic airport enforcement — security at Cagliari Elmas and Olbia Costa Smeralda airports actively scan luggage for beach materials. Over 400 tourists were caught in 2023 alone, with 10+ tons of sand and shells confiscated. Bottles of sand are the most common seizure. The law was introduced to combat the severe erosion threatening Sardinia's world-famous beaches.

    €5000 exceeds the €500 cap that art. 7-bis TUEL sets for municipal ordinances, so it must come from a specific statute. That statute has not been read.

    Sardinian regional law on beach material protection (Legge Regionale 16/2017); Italian environmental police (Corpo Forestale) enforcement data.

    All Sardinia rules
  32. 32Forest Fire Prevention — No Smoking in ForestsSintra· unverified€5,000
    The range
    €500–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Smoking in forested areas of the Serra de Sintra Natural Park is strictly prohibited, especially during critical fire risk periods (June–October). Lighting any fire, including barbecues, is illegal without authorization. Portugal's devastating wildfire history means enforcement is severe.

    Portugal's cities publish different figures for this offence, and an indoor smoking ban is national law there with a single penalty provision. At most one of them can be right, so none is treated as verified.

    Portuguese Forest Fire Prevention Law (Decreto-Lei 124/2006); ICNF regulations.

    All Sintra rules
  33. 33Smoking where it is bannedSlovenia · nationwide€5,000
    The range
    €125–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Smoking or using tobacco and related products in Slovenian public and workplace interiors is banned under art. 39, and art. 43(1) fines the individual €125 to €5,000. Until the April 2024 amendment the figure was a flat €125, which is still the floor and the realistic charge. A separate flat €250 applies to smoking in any vehicle carrying someone under 18. Venue operators face a far heavier range for failing to enforce the ban — €4,000 to €33,000 — and that is theirs, not yours.

    ZOUTPI art. 43(1) as replaced by ZOUTPI-B in April 2024 — €125 to €5,000 on an individual. The €125 was a flat figure until then. The band is shared with two supply offences in the same paragraph, so €5,000 is the ceiling of the paragraph rather than a figure anyone has been charged for lighting a cigarette; €125 is the floor the smoker actually meets.

    Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah ZOUTPI (Ur. l. RS 31/2024, published 9 April 2024) art. 20 — replaced art. 43(1) with "Z globo od 125 do 5.000 eurov se kaznuje posameznik", in force from the fifteenth day after publication and applied from the thirtieth day after that

    All Slovenia rules
  34. 34Drug possessionSplit€5,000
    The range
    €500–€5,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Cannabis possession for personal use is decriminalized but still results in heavy fines if found on you or in your apartment. Trafficking or possession of other drugs carries severe penalties including long prison sentences.

    Croatian drug law; UK Foreign Office advisory.

    All Split rules
  35. 35Strict Drug Laws — Cannabis IllegalBergenNOK 50,000≈ €4,350
    The range
    NOK 10,000–NOK 50,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Norway has strict drug laws. Possession of any amount of illegal drugs, including cannabis, is a criminal offense punishable by fines and imprisonment. Police conduct checks at festivals, concerts, and nightlife venues. Norway has not decriminalized personal use.

    Norwegian Penal Code; Norwegian Drug Policy; Bergen Police District advisories.

    All Bergen rules
  36. 36SpeedingOsloNOK 50,000≈ €4,350
    The range
    NOK 900–NOK 50,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Norway has one of Europe's most extensive and sophisticated speed camera networks, including fixed cameras, mobile units, and average-speed cameras that measure your speed over long distances through tunnels and on highways. Fines are steep and strictly enforced: exceeding the speed limit by 5-10 km/h results in a fine of approximately NOK 900 (~€78), while exceeding by 20+ km/h can cost NOK 5,000-50,000+ (~€435-4,350) and result in license suspension. Fines are income-proportional for serious violations — high earners pay dramatically more. Speed limits are generally lower than in other European countries: 80 km/h on most rural roads, 90-110 km/h on motorways, 50 km/h in built-up areas, and 30 km/h in residential zones. Average-speed cameras in tunnels (of which Oslo has many) are particularly effective. Rental car companies will forward any camera fines to you with an additional administrative fee. Foreign-registered vehicles are also targeted — unpaid fines can result in vehicle seizure at border crossings.

    Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration); Norwegian Traffic Act speed enforcement regulations.

    All Oslo rules
  37. 37Strict Drug Laws — Cannabis IllegalTromsøNOK 50,000≈ €4,350
    The range
    NOK 10,000–NOK 50,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Norway has strict drug laws with no decriminalization of personal use. Possession of any amount of cannabis or other illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Police in Tromsø conduct checks at nightlife venues, festivals, and accommodations suspected of drug activity.

    Norwegian Penal Code; Norwegian drug enforcement policy.

    All Tromsø rules
  38. 38Disorderly or indecent conductCroatia · nationwide€4,000
    The range
    €700–€4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    National law

    Behaving indecently or offensively in public — shouting, fighting, being conspicuously drunk, exposing yourself — is a national public-order offence carrying €700 to €4,000, and up to thirty days' detention rather than a fine if a court decides so. The 2023 amendment raised these sharply: the old range topped out at €170. This is the €4,000 the Dalmatian coast is known for, and it is national law rather than any one town's bylaw.

    art. 6 ZPPJRM as amended April 2023 — €700–4,000, detention up to 30 days

    Zakon o izmjenama Zakona o prekršajima protiv javnog reda i mira (NN 47/2023), adopted 21 April 2023 — the amendment that raised the public-order fines to their current level

    All Croatia rules
  39. 39Public Order DisturbancesHvar€4,000
    The range
    €4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Fighting, verbal abuse, shouting, aggressive drunken behavior can be fined up to €4,000. This is the same Croatian national standard as Split and Dubrovnik.

    Croatian Misdemeanor Act against Public Order and Peace.

    All Hvar rules
  40. 40No Climbing the Arena AmphitheaterPula€4,000
    The range
    €500–€4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Pula's 1st-century Roman Arena is a protected UNESCO heritage candidate. Climbing on walls, arches, or seating structures is strictly prohibited. Damaging or removing any stone carries severe penalties. The Arena is actively monitored by security and CCTV.

    Croatian cultural heritage protection law; Pula Arena visitor regulations.

    All Pula rules
  41. 41Diving — Licensed Operators & Artifact RulesPula€4,000
    The range
    €1,000–€4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Pula's waters contain rich WWII wrecks and underwater heritage sites. Diving must be done through licensed operators. Touching, removing, or damaging underwater artifacts, shipwreck components, or marine archaeological sites is a serious criminal offence. Equipment may be confiscated and heavy fines imposed.

    Croatian Cultural Heritage Protection Act; Croatian diving regulations.

    All Pula rules
  42. 42Brijuni National Park RulesRovinj€4,000
    The range
    €500–€4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    The nearby Brijuni Islands National Park (accessible by boat from Fažana, 30 minutes from Rovinj) has strict rules: no picking plants, no feeding animals, no removing anything from the islands, no swimming in unauthorized areas, and no straying from marked paths.

    Croatian Nature Protection Act; Brijuni National Park regulations.

    All Rovinj rules
  43. 43Marine Protected Areas — No CollectingRovinj€4,000
    The range
    €300–€4,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    The waters around Rovinj and the Rovinj Archipelago include protected marine areas. Removing shells, sand, rocks, coral, sea urchins, or any marine life is prohibited. Anchoring on Posidonia seagrass meadows is also banned to protect this vital ecosystem.

    Croatian Nature Protection Act; Rovinj marine protection regulations.

    All Rovinj rules
  44. 44Landing on the Pink BeachSardinia· unverified€3,500
    The range
    €500–€3,500
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    The famous Pink Beach on Budelli Island in the La Maddalena Archipelago has been completely closed to foot traffic since 1994 (with intermittent closures since the 1980s). The pink color comes from microscopic Miniacina miniacea coral fragments — each footstep destroys thousands of these organisms that take decades to regenerate. Stepping on the beach carries fines of €500 to €3,500. Even anchoring boats too close is prohibited. The beach is visible from authorized boat tours that maintain a minimum distance.

    €3500 exceeds the €500 cap that art. 7-bis TUEL sets for municipal ordinances, so it must come from a specific statute. That statute has not been read.

    La Maddalena Archipelago National Park regulations; Italian Ministry of Environment protected area designation.

    All Sardinia rules
  45. 45Taking sand, shells or pebblesAmalfi Coast & Cinque Terre· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €300–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Taking sand, pebbles, shells, or sea glass from Italian beaches can result in fines from €300 to €3,000. Enforcement is especially strict on Sardinian beaches and along the Amalfi Coast. Over 400 tourists were fined in Sardinia in 2023 alone. Even a few grams of sand in a bottle can get you fined at the airport — customs officials at Italian airports specifically check for beach materials in luggage. The law protects Italy's coastal ecosystems.

    €3000 exceeds the €500 cap that art. 7-bis TUEL sets for municipal ordinances, so it must come from a specific statute. That statute has not been read.

    Italian environmental protection law (Codice dell'Ambiente); Sardinian beach protection regulations.

    All Amalfi Coast & Cinque Terre rules
  46. 46Drinking in the streetBarcelona· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €100–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Drinking alcohol in public spaces including streets, plazas, parks, and beaches is prohibited across Barcelona. Organising or promoting group drinking routes (rutas etílicas or pub crawls) carries even heavier penalties.

    Not a tariff — a band boundary. Fines under a municipal ordinance are capped by LBRL art. 141 at €750 leve, €1,500 grave and €3,000 muy grave, and these figures are those ceilings used as though they were ranges. The state offence is different again: LO 4/2015 art. 37.17 makes drinking in public a leve where it seriously disturbs public tranquility, and art. 39 prices leves at €100–600. Neither instrument yields this range, so the city’s own ordinance has to be read.

    Barcelona updated civic ordinance, effective February 15, 2026.

    All Barcelona rules
  47. 47Noise after 11pmBarcelona€3,000
    The range
    €600–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Barcelona enforces quiet hours from 11pm to 7am. Excessive noise from apartments, terraces, or the street during these hours is actively fined. In severe cases, fines can reach extreme levels.

    Barcelona noise ordinance; Euro Weekly News.

    All Barcelona rules
  48. 48BalconingBarcelona€3,000
    The range
    €1,500–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Jumping from balconies, between balconies, or from balconies into swimming pools is illegal and actively prosecuted. Multiple tourist deaths occur each year from this practice.

    Balearic Islands and Catalonia anti-balconing legislation.

    All Barcelona rules
  49. 49Drinking in the streetBilbao· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €600–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Drinking alcohol in public spaces — streets, parks, plazas, and riverbanks — is prohibited under Spain's anti-botellón laws. Bilbao actively enforces this, particularly in the Casco Viejo and along the Nervión riverfront on weekend nights. Police can confiscate drinks and issue fines.

    Not a tariff — a band boundary. Fines under a municipal ordinance are capped by LBRL art. 141 at €750 leve, €1,500 grave and €3,000 muy grave, and these figures are those ceilings used as though they were ranges. The state offence is different again: LO 4/2015 art. 37.17 makes drinking in public a leve where it seriously disturbs public tranquility, and art. 39 prices leves at €100–600. Neither instrument yields this range, so the city’s own ordinance has to be read.

    Spanish Law on the Protection of Citizen Security (Ley Mordaza); Basque Country municipal ordinances.

    All Bilbao rules
  50. 50Noise in residential areasBilbao· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €300–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Bilbao enforces noise ordinances especially in the dense residential neighborhoods of Casco Viejo and Ensanche. Quiet hours are strictly observed between 22:00 and 08:00. Excessive noise from tourist apartments is a growing enforcement priority.

    The range ends at exactly €3,000, which is the ceiling LBRL art. 141 puts on a municipal ordinance for a *muy grave* infraction — not a tariff the council charges. It is the same shape as the botellón figures, and the floor beneath it does not correspond to any band boundary either. The city's own ordinance sets the real amount and has not been read.

    Bilbao municipal noise ordinance; Basque Country environmental regulations.

    All Bilbao rules
  51. 51Beach and environmental rulesCatania· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €100–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Taking sand, shells, pebbles, or sea glass from Sicilian beaches is illegal and can result in fines. Some beaches near Catania have restricted areas during nesting season. Glass containers are banned on many beaches. Setting up large tents or structures may require permission.

    €3000 exceeds the €500 cap that art. 7-bis TUEL sets for municipal ordinances, so it must come from a specific statute. That statute has not been read.

    Italian Environmental Code (D.Lgs. 152/2006); Sicilian Regional beach ordinances.

    All Catania rules
  52. 52Drinking in the streetCórdoba· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €600–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Drinking alcohol in public spaces — streets, parks, plazas, and riverbanks — is prohibited under Spain's anti-botellón laws. Córdoba actively enforces this with on-the-spot fines, especially during festival periods and weekend nights.

    Not a tariff — a band boundary. Fines under a municipal ordinance are capped by LBRL art. 141 at €750 leve, €1,500 grave and €3,000 muy grave, and these figures are those ceilings used as though they were ranges. The state offence is different again: LO 4/2015 art. 37.17 makes drinking in public a leve where it seriously disturbs public tranquility, and art. 39 prices leves at €100–600. Neither instrument yields this range, so the city’s own ordinance has to be read.

    Spanish Citizen Safety Law (Ley Mordaza), 2015; Córdoba municipal ordinance.

    All Córdoba rules
  53. 53Noise and quiet hoursCórdoba· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €300–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Córdoba enforces noise ordinances especially during siesta hours (14:00–17:00) and at night (23:00–08:00). Loud music, shouting, and disruptive behaviour in residential areas can result in police complaints and fines.

    The range ends at exactly €3,000, which is the ceiling LBRL art. 141 puts on a municipal ordinance for a *muy grave* infraction — not a tariff the council charges. It is the same shape as the botellón figures, and the floor beneath it does not correspond to any band boundary either. The city's own ordinance sets the real amount and has not been read.

    Córdoba municipal noise ordinance; Andalusian environmental law.

    All Córdoba rules
  54. 54Smoking indoorsDublin· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €1,000–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Ireland was the FIRST country in the world to ban smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including pubs, restaurants, and offices — enacted on March 29, 2004. This was groundbreaking legislation that other countries later copied. Fines are up to €3,000 for individuals and up to €10,000 for business owners who allow smoking indoors. The ban is very strictly enforced — environmental health officers conduct inspections. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces, public transport, taxis, and work vehicles. E-cigarettes are not covered by the ban but many venues prohibit them voluntarily.

    The ban itself is beyond doubt — Ireland was the first country in the world to introduce it, in March 2004 — but the range is not. irishstatutebook.ie returns 403 to automated access, so the Public Health (Tobacco) Act was never opened, and €3,000 is a round figure of the kind that is usually a statutory maximum rather than what a smoker is handed. Ireland is one of the countries still without a verified penalty scale.

    Irish Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002-2004; Section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002.

    All Dublin rules
  55. 55Drinking in the streetGirona· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €600–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Drinking alcohol in public spaces — streets, parks, plazas, and beaches — is prohibited under Girona's municipal ordinance. This targets the practice of 'botellón' (outdoor drinking gatherings). Fines escalate significantly for repeat offenders.

    Not a tariff — a band boundary. Fines under a municipal ordinance are capped by LBRL art. 141 at €750 leve, €1,500 grave and €3,000 muy grave, and these figures are those ceilings used as though they were ranges. The state offence is different again: LO 4/2015 art. 37.17 makes drinking in public a leve where it seriously disturbs public tranquility, and art. 39 prices leves at €100–600. Neither instrument yields this range, so the city’s own ordinance has to be read.

    Girona municipal civic ordinance; Catalan public safety regulations.

    All Girona rules
  56. 56Noise in residential areasGirona· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €100–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Girona enforces noise restrictions particularly in the Barri Vell (Old Quarter) where many residents live above tourist-facing businesses. Nighttime noise (23:00-07:00) in residential areas can result in fines. This includes loud conversations, music from vacation rental apartments, and group gatherings in narrow streets.

    The range ends at exactly €3,000, which is the ceiling LBRL art. 141 puts on a municipal ordinance for a *muy grave* infraction — not a tariff the council charges. It is the same shape as the botellón figures, and the floor beneath it does not correspond to any band boundary either. The city's own ordinance sets the real amount and has not been read.

    Girona municipal noise ordinance; Catalan environmental law.

    All Girona rules
  57. 57Drinking in the streetGranada· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €600–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Drinking alcohol in public spaces — streets, parks, plazas, and outside licensed premises — is illegal under Spain's national anti-botellón law and Andalusian regional regulations. Fines are issued on the spot and can be severe for repeat offenders or large gatherings.

    Not a tariff — a band boundary. Fines under a municipal ordinance are capped by LBRL art. 141 at €750 leve, €1,500 grave and €3,000 muy grave, and these figures are those ceilings used as though they were ranges. The state offence is different again: LO 4/2015 art. 37.17 makes drinking in public a leve where it seriously disturbs public tranquility, and art. 39 prices leves at €100–600. Neither instrument yields this range, so the city’s own ordinance has to be read.

    Spanish Ley Orgánica 4/2015 (Citizens' Security Law); Andalusian regional regulations.

    All Granada rules
  58. 58Noise and quiet hoursGranada· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €300–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Granada enforces noise ordinances, particularly in residential areas of the Albaicín and Realejo. Quiet hours are 23:00-08:00 on weekdays and 00:00-09:00 on weekends. Excessive noise from tourist apartments, street gatherings, or loud music can result in police calls and fines.

    The range ends at exactly €3,000, which is the ceiling LBRL art. 141 puts on a municipal ordinance for a *muy grave* infraction — not a tariff the council charges. It is the same shape as the botellón figures, and the floor beneath it does not correspond to any band boundary either. The city's own ordinance sets the real amount and has not been read.

    Granada municipal noise ordinance; Andalusian environmental regulations.

    All Granada rules
  59. 59Barbecues on the beachGranada· unverified€3,000
    The range
    €3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    Lighting unauthorized barbecues on beaches in Granada province (including popular coastal towns like Almuñécar and Salobreña) is illegal and heavily fined. During summer fire risk periods, any open flame on or near beaches can result in fines up to €3,000. This also applies to portable gas BBQs.

    The range ends at exactly €3,000, which is the ceiling LBRL art. 141 puts on a municipal ordinance for a *muy grave* infraction — not a tariff the council charges. It is the same shape as the botellón figures, and the floor beneath it does not correspond to any band boundary either. The city's own ordinance sets the real amount and has not been read.

    Andalusian fire prevention regulations; Granada province beach ordinances.

    All Granada rules
  60. 60Motorway Vignette — Up to €3,000 FineHallstatt€3,000
    The range
    €120–€3,000
    Severity
    High
    Set by
    Municipal instrument

    All vehicles using Austrian motorways and expressways must display a valid vignette (toll sticker). Driving without one carries fines from €120 on the spot up to €3,000 in court proceedings. A digital vignette (Digitale Vignette) has been available since 2018 — linked to your license plate, no physical sticker needed. A 10-day digital vignette costs approximately €10. This is especially relevant for the drive to Hallstatt from Salzburg (A1 motorway then regional roads) or from Vienna. Cameras automatically scan license plates on motorways. Note: the final approach to Hallstatt on regional roads (B145, B166) does not require a vignette, but you'll almost certainly use a motorway to get there.

    ASFINAG (Autobahnen- und Schnellstraßen-Finanzierungs-Aktiengesellschaft) toll regulations; Austrian Federal Highways Toll Act (Bundesstraßen-Mautgesetz).

    All Hallstatt rules

How much of this has been checked

Of the 784 priced offences in the list above.

21

Read against the instrument

The article was opened and the figure matched it.

294

Flagged, with the reason

Checked and found doubtful. The row says why.

469

Not yet examined

Inherited from the original build and still queued.

Frequently asked questions

Which European city has the strictest tourist fines?

This page deliberately does not answer that, because the question has no honest answer from the available data. A city is not strict or lenient as a property you can measure — it has a set of instruments, each with its own ceiling, enforced at a rate nobody publishes. What can be compared is one offence against another, which is what the list here does.

Why did you remove the strictness ranking?

The old score was 50% a city’s highest fine, 30% its number of rules and 20% how many categories those rules covered. The last two measure how much research a city has had on this site, not its law, so a thoroughly documented city outranked a genuinely harsher one that had not been finished. The inputs were wrong rather than mis-weighted, so there was nothing to re-weight.

What does the euro figure mean for a country outside the eurozone?

It is a conversion used only to order the list, and it is never what you would be charged. The amount in the currency of the law is shown alongside it and is the only figure that has legal meaning — a Czech fine is set in koruna, and the euro equivalent moves with the exchange rate while the law does not.

Is the highest fine the one I would actually pay?

Almost never. A ceiling is the top of a range a court or authority can reach, usually reserved for repeat or aggravated conduct, and the floor of the same range is often two orders of magnitude lower. Every row expands to show the real range for that reason, and the fine a tourist typically meets sits near the bottom of it.

Why are some of the biggest fines marked unverified?

Because the instrument behind them has not been read yet. A high ceiling is exactly where a misclassification does the most damage — the largest errors found on this site were all of that kind, such as a €60,000 figure that turned out to be the hotel’s liability rather than the guest’s. Marking them is more useful than quietly dropping or quietly keeping them.