- Nearly 1 in 5 (17%) UK passport holders admit they never research local laws or customs before travelling abroad, and only 40% check official government or embassy advice before departure.
- Among those who have broken a law or cultural rule abroad, 26% received a warning, 14% were fined, and 6% were arrested.
- Holidaymakers who were fined paid £162.84 on average, with France the most common country where penalties were issued (32%), followed by Spain and Italy (both 27%).
- Confused.com has created an unusual laws abroad checker, designed to help travellers avoid being caught out by unfamiliar rules overseas.
British holidaymakers are being hit with average fines of over £160 for unknowingly breaking local laws and customs overseas. This lack of preparation could leave holidaymakers vulnerable to costly mistakes. That’s according to new research by Confused.com travel insurance experts, of 2,000 UK passport holders, which found almost a quarter (24%) may have broken a law while abroad but weren’t aware at the time. Though for some, they were aware of their actions as a further 5% admitted they know they have broken a law overseas before.
Among those who had broken a law or cultural rule abroad, more than a quarter (26%) said they received a warning from local authorities. However, not everyone escaped with a caution. Around 1 in 7 (14%) said they were fined, averaging £160. Although over 1 in 3 (36%) of those fined were charged more than £200, while 6% reported being arrested.
These incidents can escalate further than expected. In any given year, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides consular assistance to more than 5,000 British nationals detained or arrested abroad.1
So what gets Brits in trouble? The most common reasons travellers reported being fined abroad included littering or environmental offences, such as on beaches or in public spaces (32%), wearing inappropriate clothing at religious or cultural sites (27%), and taking photographs where it wasn't permitted (23%).
Some destinations catch out holidaymakers more than others. Nearly a third (32%) said they were fined in France, making it the most common destination for penalties, followed by Spain (27%) and Italy (27%).
Despite the risk of fines, many admit they don't prepare properly. Almost 1 in 5 (17%) admit they never research the laws or customs of the country they're visiting before travelling abroad. Instead, those who do prepare are most likely to rely on travel websites and blogs (55%), while only 40% check official government or embassy advice before departure.
Travellers do recognise which rules are easiest to overlook. More than 1 in 5 (22%) said photography restrictions would be the easiest type of rule to miss, followed by dress codes at religious sites (16%) and alcohol consumption laws (13%).
From wearing high heels at ancient archaeological sites in Greece to feeding pigeons in Paris or kissing in public in the UAE, many popular holiday destinations have laws that differ significantly from those in the UK. In some cases, seemingly harmless actions can lead to fines worth hundreds of pounds or even imprisonment.
Some of the unexpected laws and customs abroad include:
| Country | Law or custom |
|---|---|
|
Greece
|
Wearing high heels is banned at ancient archaeological sites, as they can damage the 2,000-year-old marble and stone surfaces - breaking this rule can cost you up to €900.
Collecting shells or pebbles and other stones from beaches or archaeological sites can end up in fines of up to €1,000. This is to reflect Greece's commitment to sustainable tourism. |
|
France
|
Wearing headphones while cycling or driving is prohibited, with fines starting from €135.
Feeding pigeons in Paris is prohibited and can result in fines up to €450. |
|
Tunisia
|
There are strict restrictions on bringing Tunisian dinar in or out of the country. Exchange currency just after you've arrived in the country and make sure to do so again before leaving.
|
|
United Arab Emirates
|
Public displays of affection (e.g. kissing in public) can result in fines, typically AED 1,000–3,000 (£210–£630) or imprisonment depending on severity and location.
|
|
Florida, USA
|
Glass containers are banned on most Florida beaches, even where alcohol is permitted, with violations commonly leading to on-the-spot fines or confiscation.
Feeding or interacting with alligators in Florida can result in fines up to $500 (£370) and possible jail time. |
The consequences can be more serious than many holidaymakers expect. More than two-thirds (67%) said being arrested abroad would be their biggest concern if they accidentally broke a local law or custom, while 42% feared receiving a fine. A further 34% said they would be worried about offending the local culture.
Yet many travellers still feel unequipped before setting off. In fact, over 2 in 5 (41%) said it would be very useful to have a single website where they could look up all the "lesser-known" rules for each destination abroad.
To help travellers avoid being caught out by unfamiliar rules overseas, Confused.com has created an unusual laws abroad checker. Simply search your destination country to discover lesser-known laws, customs and regulations - from photography restrictions and dress codes to alcohol rules - so you know what to expect before you go.
Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, comments:"Many people assume that if something is acceptable in the UK, it's likely to be acceptable abroad too. But our findings show that's not always the case. Every year, thousands of British nationals require consular assistance, after being arrested or detained overseas, often for breaking laws or cultural rules they may not have been aware of.
“What's particularly striking is that while two-thirds of travellers say being arrested abroad is one of their biggest concerns, almost 1 in 5 (17%) admit they don't research local rules or customs before they travel. Many of the rules catching people out aren't necessarily what you'd expect. Something as simple as taking a photograph, wearing the wrong clothing at a religious site, carrying medication without the correct paperwork or drinking alcohol in the wrong place can result in fines or even more serious consequences in some destinations.
“It’s important to be aware that if you receive a fine for breaking a rule abroad, it isn't something you can claim on your travel insurance. In more serious cases, if you're detained and required to stay longer in the country, your insurance won't cover those additional costs either. That's why you should remember to check the local laws and customs of your destination before travelling. Our unusual laws abroad checker is designed to help travellers avoid being caught out by unfamiliar rules overseas.”
-ENDS-
Unless otherwise stated, all research was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK passport holders who have been abroad. This was conducted between 23rd and 29th April 2026.
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