The popular beach accessory that will land holidaymakers with £3,400 fines
BRITS face huge fines up to £3,400 for a using a very popular beach item when on holiday in Europe.
Holidaymakers in Portugal may be forced to pay thousands of euros under the rules.
The National Maritime Authority (AMN) said loud music speakers are banned on the beaches.
Anyone caught playing loud music can be fined anything between €200 (£172) and €4,000 (£3,441).
They told CNN Portugal: "According to the public beach notice, under the terms of decree-law number 159/2012 [...] the use of sound equipment and carrying out noise-generating activities that may cause discomfort are prohibited on the beaches.
"On beaches under the jurisdiction of the AMN, the local command of the Maritime Police must be contacted if there is any inconvenience.
"The agents must then go to the location and stop the noise."
It's not just in Portugal, as Spain has similar strict rules.
Alicante has issued a crackdown on noise pollution with tourists facing £525 fines if talk while listening to music on beaches.
And new laws at beaches in Majorca ban the use of speakers, radios, and musical instruments that "may cause a nuisance".
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The only music allowed is that which has been previously sanctioned by Ses Salines council - which regulates the seaside at the holiday hotspot.
Anyone found in breach of these bylaws will face fines of up to 3,000 euros (£2,500), according to the local council.
Mayor Juan Rodríguez said: "It is now essential to have the bylaw in order to be eligible for blue flags, and in Ses Salines there was no regulation of this type in the past."
Other parts of Majorca have introduced laws to ban men walking topless and women in bikinis away from the beach.
