Time could be called on binge drinking for UK holidaymakers in Spain with the country pushing to implement European Union tax rises on alcohol. Health professionals are urging Spanish government officials to increase the price of alcoholic drinks and raise the legal drinking age, in a draft bill aimed at preventing underage drinking.
Included is a plan to hike prices of alcoholic drinks, including wine and beer, in an attempt to call last orders on drink-fuelled tourism. Minimum excise duty rates for alcohol products have not been updated across the EU since 1992.
This means that current rules “have not kept pace with inflation, the evolution of the market, consumption patterns or growing public health concerns," the European Commission has said. It has called for a response on current excise duty rates for alcohol with many nations favouring an increase.
Current rules agree minimum rates for alcohol products across the EU to avoid distortions of competition. Currently Spain levies one of the lowest tax rates in Europe, collecting about €2.69 per 700ml bottle of spirits. By comparison, Italy collects €2.90, Germany €3.65 and France €5.05.
For beer, Spain collects even less - taxing €0.03 per 330ml - well below the EU's average of 14 cents. the nation's cheap drinks are one of the main attractions for party-loving UK tourists with resorts like Benidorm and Magaluf favourites with revellers.
The EU has asked for member feedback on its current tax system on alcohol, which closes on July 4. Authorities in Majorca have already announced a crackdown on 'excess tourism' in Magaluf, including restrictions aimed at stamping out alcohol abuse and drunken behaviour among visitors.
Balearic tourism minister Iago Negueruela said last year that the region was preparing for more quality rather than quantity of tourists following the Covid pandemic. He said: "We want to eradicate tourism excesses that have caused so much damage to our destination.
"The islands are managing to attract a kind of visitor who spends more on their holidays and therefore supports the profitability of the sector without it just being based on numbers."
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