Have Fun in Europe - Be Aware of the Laws!

I wrote this to help our clients after a fellow travel consultant — a friend of mine — had a major issue with a group of 2 families travelling through Europe over the holidays. In Rome, a young man in the group was picked up by plain clothes officers for being drunk and disorderly near a major monument. He spent the night in jail and paid a 400 euro fine. It ruined the entire vacation for everyone. Luckily, because it was the holidays and his family was with him, deportation was not pursued — but that was how close it came.

2026 is a new era in travel worldwide for US citizens and any luxuries we once enjoyed are no longer extended.

Plain clothes officers patrol major monuments and heavily touristed areas, especially during high season. This is not a warning to scare you — it is a heads up from someone who has spent 15 years as a travel consultant and has seen firsthand how quickly a wonderful trip can be derailed by something entirely avoidable.

When a group of young people get together it is completely normal to have a lot of fun. Europe is incredible and you are going to have the time of your lives. But every country on this list takes public intoxication and disorderly behaviour very seriously, and as foreign nationals the consequences for you will always be worse than they would be for a local. Fines are issued on the spot, a night in a cell is a real possibility, and in more serious cases deportation is not off the table.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION — COUNTRY BY COUNTRY

AUSTRIA Public intoxication and disorderly behaviour carries fines of 200 to 700 euros. Vienna and Salzburg are refined, cultured cities with very low tolerance for disruptive tourist behaviour. Police are efficient and unsympathetic. A fine issued in Austria must be paid — non-payment results in further legal consequences.

CROATIA One of the toughest in Europe, specifically targeting tourists. On the spot fines of up to 150 euros for street drinking and up to 700 euros for drunk and disorderly conduct. Immediate deportation is a genuine possibility. Croatian police patrol Split and Dubrovnik extremely heavily all summer and are fully empowered to act instantly.

CZECH REPUBLIC Prague has cracked down significantly on tourist misbehaviour in recent years and is no longer the inexpensive free-for-all it once had a reputation for being. Public drinking is banned in much of the city centre. Fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour can reach 10,000 Czech crowns. The Old Town is heavily policed and Czech police have zero tolerance for aggressive behaviour.

FRANCE Public intoxication is illegal outright under a law dating back to 1873. Police can detain someone in a sobering cell for up to 24 hours with no charges required and no phone call guaranteed. Fines up to 150 euros for basic intoxication, significantly more if any disturbance occurs. French police are empowered to act entirely at their discretion.

GERMANY Fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour range from 200 to 1,000 euros. Major cities including Munich, Berlin and Hamburg have dedicated units for tourist misbehaviour. Aggressive or disruptive drunkenness results in overnight detention. Do not let the relaxed attitude toward public drinking in some areas fool you — disorderly conduct is treated as a criminal matter.

GREECE Mykonos, Santorini and Ios are among the most popular party destinations in Europe for young travellers and all three have significantly increased enforcement in recent years. Fines for public intoxication start at 150 euros. Disorderly conduct can result in detention and deportation. Greek island police are very familiar with tourist misbehaviour and have little patience for it in peak season.

HUNGARY Budapest is enormously popular for its ruin bar scene and nightlife but Hungary has introduced strict public order laws in recent years. Fines for public intoxication start at 50,000 Hungarian forints and escalate significantly for disorderly conduct. Budapest police patrol the party districts heavily on weekends and throughout summer.

IRELAND Public intoxication can result in arrest, a fine of up to 500 euros, or being held in a cell overnight until sober. Fighting or causing a disturbance escalates immediately to criminal charges. Despite its reputation for pub culture, Ireland takes public disorder very seriously and Garda response is swift.

ITALY Public intoxication carries fines of 100 to 300 euros. Florence, Rome and Venice have all introduced specific local ordinances targeting tourist misbehaviour. Rome has banned drinking from bottles near monuments and fountains with fines of up to 400 euros. Being drunk near the Colosseum or Trevi Fountain is treated very seriously — plain clothes officers patrol these areas constantly during peak season.

MONACO Possibly the most unforgiving jurisdiction in Europe. Public intoxication or disorderly conduct results in immediate detention, substantial fines, and a permanent ban from the principality. There is no tolerance whatsoever for misbehaviour of any kind.

NETHERLANDS Public drinking is banned in designated areas throughout Amsterdam including most of the city centre and the entire Red Light District. Fines start at 100 euros and escalate quickly. Amsterdam has the ability to permanently ban visitors from returning to the city. Overnight detention for serious misconduct is common.

PORTUGAL Fines range from 100 to 500 euros. The Algarve resort towns have dedicated tourist police in summer specifically tasked with managing rowdy behaviour and are very experienced at it.

SPAIN Public intoxication fines range from 300 to 600 euros on the mainland. Barcelona and Madrid have cracked down hard on rowdy tourist behaviour. Ibiza and Magaluf have introduced dedicated tourist police with specific mandates to target disruptive behaviour from foreign visitors. Aggressive or disorderly conduct anywhere in Spain can result in detention and deportation.

SWITZERLAND The strictest country on this list. Drunk and disorderly behaviour can result in fines running into thousands of Swiss francs. Swiss police are highly efficient and have absolute zero tolerance for any disruption. A Swiss fine cannot be ignored — non-payment results in further legal action that follows you internationally.

UNITED KINGDOM Being drunk and disorderly in a public place carries a fine of up to 1,000 pounds and a potential criminal record. England and Wales have additional Drunk and Incapable laws — you can be detained simply for being too intoxicated to care for yourself, even if you are causing no trouble. Scotland has some of the strictest enforcement in Europe. A criminal record in the UK can affect future visa applications including re-entry to the United States.

MARIJUANA LAWS

The single most important rule: do not bring marijuana across any border. Even travelling between two countries where cannabis is tolerated or decriminalised, crossing an international border with it is a serious criminal offence everywhere in Europe without exception. Customs officers are empowered to arrest and prosecute regardless of the amount.

AUSTRIA — Decriminalised for small personal amounts but still technically illegal. Fines apply.

CROATIA — Possession is a misdemeanour with fines of 650 to 2,600 euros. Enforcement is real.

CZECH REPUBLIC — Adults may possess up to 25 grams in public as of January 2026. Public consumption remains prohibited except in designated areas. Do not bring any across a border.

FRANCE — Some of the strictest cannabis laws in Europe. Possession carries fines of up to 3,750 euros and up to one year in prison. Do not bring or use marijuana in France.

GERMANY — Adults may possess up to 25 grams. Public consumption is restricted and rules vary by location. Do not bring marijuana into Germany from another country.

GREECE — Recreational cannabis is illegal. Fines start at 200 euros for very small amounts.

HUNGARY — Hungary classifies cannabis under the same legal category as heroin. This is not an exaggeration. Do not bring or use marijuana in Hungary under any circumstances.

IRELAND — Cannabis is illegal. Possession carries fines and potential imprisonment.

ITALY — Recreational cannabis is illegal. Possession carries fines and potential criminal charges.

MONACO — Absolutely zero tolerance. Possession of any amount results in immediate detention, prosecution, and a permanent ban from the principality.

NETHERLANDS — Cannabis is tolerated in licensed coffee shops only —

it is not legal, it is tolerated under a very specific policy. You may not be under 18 to purchase or consume. You may not take it across any border under any circumstances.

PORTUGAL — All drugs including cannabis are decriminalised for personal amounts and treated as a health matter rather than criminal. However, this does not mean it is legal or consequence-free.

SPAIN — Private consumption is legal for residents only. Public use and sales remain illegal.

SWITZERLAND — Possession of under 10 grams results in a flat fine of 100 Swiss francs. Larger amounts carry escalating penalties.

UNITED KINGDOM — Cannabis is illegal. Possession carries up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. A conviction will affect US visa status.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

This is one of the most overlooked areas of international travel and one that can cause serious problems. Many medications that are legally prescribed in the United States are either banned outright or heavily restricted in other countries. A US prescription does not protect you. Customs officers are not required to honour a foreign prescription and in some countries possession of certain medications without advance approval is treated the same as possession of an illegal drug.

ADHD Medications — Adderall, Vyvanse and Similar Amphetamine-Based Drugs

Adderall has never been approved by the European Medicines Agency and has no legal status as a medicine across most of Europe. If anyone in your group takes Adderall or any other amphetamine-based ADHD medication, they must take the following steps before travelling:

Speak with your prescribing doctor at least eight weeks before departure — Ask for a formal letter on official letterhead stating your full name, diagnosis, medication name in both brand and generic form, dosage, and that the medication is medically necessary — Carry the original prescription, not a photocopy, in original pharmacy packaging with the original label intact — Consider asking your doctor about switching to a methylphenidate-based alternative such as Ritalin or Concerta for the duration of the trip — these are more widely accepted across Europe — Contact the embassy of each country you are visiting to confirm current entry requirements for your specific medication

Other Commonly Prescribed US Medications That May Cause Issues

— Codeine-based painkillers are controlled in several European countries and require documentation — Anti-anxiety medications including Xanax and Valium are controlled substances in many European countries and require advance documentation — Sleep medications including Ambien are restricted in some countries — Pseudoephedrine, found in common US cold medicines such as Sudafed, is banned in certain countries. Even a single tablet can trigger a customs search and detention

The Universal Rule for All Prescription Medications

— Carry all medications in original packaging

— Carry the original prescription and a doctor's letter

— Never pack medications in checked luggage

— keep them in your carry-on at all times

— Declare medications if asked at customs

— Do not share medications with anyone

— Do not carry more than a 30-day supply

Traveling with Prohibited or Restricted Medications | Yellow Book | CDC

BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS — LEGAL ENTRY AGE, ID AND FAKE ID LAWS

Most European bars and nightclubs now require a passport rather than a drivers licence for entry — they have seen enough fake American IDs over the years. If you are going out, bring your passport. A money belt or neck wallet worn under your clothing is strongly recommended to keep it secure.

⚠️ FAKE ID WARNING — THIS IS A CRIMINAL MATTER

DON'T! Using a fake or altered ID in Europe is not a minor infraction. In many countries it constitutes identity fraud or document forgery — serious criminal offences that carry fines, detention, and in some cases a criminal record. A conviction for document fraud can affect your ability to re-enter the United States and to obtain future visas. European staff are experienced at identifying fraudulent documents. Simply do not do it.

CROATIA — 18. Enforced in Split and Dubrovnik particularly during peak summer season.

CZECH REPUBLIC — 18. Prague bars are generally relaxed about checking but are legally required to ask.

FRANCE — 18. Strictly enforced. Passport required as ID.

GERMANY — 16 for beer and wine only venues, 18 for spirits and nightclub entry.

GREECE — 18. Enforcement on the islands is inconsistent but the law is clear.

HUNGARY — 18. Enforced at most venues in Budapest.

IRELAND — 18. Passport strongly recommended as US drivers licenses are frequently not accepted.

ITALY — 18. Enforcement has tightened considerably in recent years particularly in Rome and Florence.

MONACO — 18. Strictly enforced without exception.

NETHERLANDS — 18. Amsterdam has significantly tightened enforcement in recent years.

PORTUGAL — 18. Generally well enforced in Lisbon and tourist areas.

SPAIN — 18 nationwide. Barcelona and Ibiza venues are particularly strict.

SWITZERLAND — 16 for beer and wine only venues, 18 for spirits and nightclub entry.

UNITED KINGDOM — 18. Strictly enforced. Many venues operate a Challenge 25 policy — anyone who appears under 25 will be asked for ID.

The overall rule across every single one of these countries is simple — being a foreign national makes the consequences worse, not better. A local might get a warning. A tourist gets the fine, the cell, or the deportation order. It is simply not worth it.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the laws of each country you are visiting. That is what will ensure you have a wonderful, stress-free trip with nothing but great memories to bring home.

The goal is simple. Have an incredible trip, respect the cities and cultures you are visiting, look out for each other, and come home with stories you are proud of.

Any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Vie de Luxe Travel | Curated. Considered. Unforgettable.