UK tourists risk 600 euro fine if they break airport transfers rule in Spain

The arrivals terminal at Malaga Airport

Once you’ve finished the hassle of booking a holiday, going to the airport and boarding a plane you might think that all the hard work is done, but holidaymakers travelling to Spain need to be aware of one more thing once they arrive. It is important to do a bit of research before booking a transfer from the airport or just jumping in a taxi, as there are numerous illegal transport companies in the country.

This is especially the case in some of the country’s holiday hotspots, where tourists could be slapped with a hefty fine if they use one of these services. All taxis in Spain are required to be registered, and there are strict laws in place when it comes to taxis and private hire companies reports Birmingham Live.

If a taxi is caught being unregistered, it is not only the driver that can get in trouble with the Spanish authorities, but the passengers using these services can also be fined up to 600 euros. However, it can be difficult to spot the difference, as some of these illegal companies will also offer lower prices to entice tourists.

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The UK Foreign Office states on its website: “Only use official registered or licensed taxis, or reputable transport companies you recognise. Licensing regulations differ across Spain and in certain cities pre-booking is required. Passengers caught using unlicensed taxi services are liable for fines of up to 600 euros. Make sure you book your taxi or airport transfer through a licensed firm.”

There are a few other things you can do to make sure that you use a legitimate company. You should only meet a transfer company in the designated area outside the arrivals terminal, if the company asks you to meet elsewhere it could be because they are unregistered.

Their vehicles will also not be insured for passenger liability cover. If in doubt a tourist can also ask the company to send over their legal documents and registration to verify their authenticity before booking.

Some of Spain’s airports, such as Malaga, already have strict controls in place to weed out pirate taxi companies. One of these methods is by having police officers and government inspectors patrol the car park looking for illegal vehicles, so it is important to go with a company you recognise or book a transfer through the airline or airport.