Although the United States is way ahead of Spain with strange laws like not being able to drive with a bear in the car in Missouri, there are many that may seem absurd and bizarre, or at the very least, make no sense at all. This article looks at some of Spain's strangest and most bizarre laws.
Spain's most curious and stupid laws
Playing dominoes in the street
In Seville, playing dominoes or dice on bar terraces is forbidden. The reason, in theory, is to try to curb noise. However, this law interestingly contrasts with the leniency towards the brotherhoods that launch rockets at all hours. The same regulation also prohibits drinking or eating next to bar terraces or rolling beer kegs on the ground.
Scavenging through rubbish
In Seville too, rummaging through rubbish can lead to a €750 fine, as established by the cleaning and waste management bylaw.
Sleeping in the car
In Bilbao and Velez, Malaga, sleeping in a car is forbidden.
Saving a space on the beach is forbidden
In many coastal areas, there are real scuffles over getting a spot near the water. However, saving a spot on the beach can result in fines of between €300 and €3,000. For example, in Cullera, Valencia, the penalty is €3,000 and in Algarrobo, Velez and Malaga, €300.
Banned names
Perhaps this rule is not meaningless, as some names could be absolute hell for a child. In Spain, parents cannot give their children names that they could be teased for or that have a negative connotation. This list includes, for example: Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Stalin, Lucifer, Hitler, monster, Lenin or Futbolín.
Moreover, you cannot name your child after a celebrity, such as Michael Jackson, unless their surname is the same as the celebrity's. Nor can you use acronyms, give the same name to two siblings and use two compound names (José Luis Marcos, no; Luis Marcos, yes).
No T-shirt, no walk
In cities such as Barcelona and Valladolid, people are not allowed to walk in the street without a T-shirt, unless they can prove that something unexpected happened that has caused them to lose it. In Barcelona, the fine ranges from €120 to €300.
Feeding stray animals
In many areas of Spain feeding street animals such as dogs and cats is illegal. Fines can exceed €1,000. This regulation, however, is also not completely pointless, as often more harm is done by feeding them.
Driving shirtless
Nationally, driving without a shirt is banned. The Spanish Traffic Department (DGT) forbid this for drivers and passengers, as the seatbelt can rub against the skin. The penalties for doing so range from €80 to €200, depending on the police officer's judgement.
Singing exam in Madrid
In Madrid, you have to pass an exam if you want to sing in the street. This was introduced during Ana Botella's time as mayor and to combat noise pollution in the capital.
No mops on the balcony
In Villanueva de la Torre, Guadalajara, keeping mops on the balcony is forbidden. The reason, in principle, is to avoid unpleasant odours.
No singing in the streets in Zamora
In the streets of Zamora singing and shouting in the street is forbidden at all times. Watering balconies is also forbidden unless after 11 pm and before 9 am.
The sun tax
Another absurd law that, fortunately, is now abolished was known as the sun tax. Under this law, people who decided to install solar panels to reduce their energy bills and minimise their impact on the environment had to pay a fee to maintain the grid system they did not use.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is forbidden on Spanish motorways and dual carriageways, according to Article 125 of the General Traffic Regulations. Hitchhiking is only allowed on national roads. Breaking this regulation can lead €80 fines, both for the hitchhiker and the driver.
Playing paddleball
Although the ban is not meaningless, the associated fine is somewhat high. In some Spanish coastal towns, such as Benidorm, playing paddleball in the water is prohibited. Fines range from €700 to €3,000.