Avoid these hefty fines when travelling in Paris, Amsterdam and other European cities

If you’re visiting mainland Europe this summer then you might want to watch out for unexpected costs due to your behaviour.

Local fines for anything from smoking in a restricted area to being drunk and disorderly vary hugely across the continent.

Fall foul of a few fines in Rome and you could end up owing over £8,000, according to a study by voucher site Voucherbox.

Heading abroad? Don't forget the travel insurance!

Reykjavik the most lenient city

The Italian capital has a maximum fine for urinating in public of £7,746. Berlin is the most lenient if you're caught short – you’ll face a fine of only £16 for urinating in public.

In contrast, Reykjavik has been branded the most lenient city for penalty fines. You will only be fined if you smoke in a restricted area or urinate in public, and the maximum you’ll owe is £54.

What you can be fined for varies a great deal with seven out of the 18 cities looked at allowing drinking in the street, but only four will let you off with a warning if you smoke somewhere you shouldn’t.

Reykjavik is the only city in the study that won’t fine you for using public transport without a ticket, if caught you will simply be asked to leave the vehicle.

“This study reveals the huge disparity in penalties across Europe,” says Shane Forster, Voucherbox UK county manager.

“With European cities a popular destination this year for football and festivals, it’s good to make sure you’re aware of the rules beforehand so you don’t get any unexpected surprises – some of which may be more expensive than the cost of your whole trip.

Of course the best way to guarantee you don’t slip up is to avoid these acts in the first place.”

How the fines stack up

Heading abroad? Don't forget the travel insurance!