Published On: Sun, Dec 22nd, 2024
World | 4,644 views

Christmas Market warning as Foreign Office urges Brits to be aware of dress code rule | World | News

Christmas market lovers have been warned to be aware of clothing rules in Europe before they set off for festive fun.

Certain countries have regulations in place which Brits should be aware of that involves items of clothing and what you can and can’t wear.

According to the Foreign Office, as part of the official GOV.UK website, a certain dress code must be adhered as breaking these rules could see some hefty fines. 

This is because certain regions in Europe operate under a law that prohibits people wearing clothes which may make it difficult for others to recognise them.

This “blanket ban is neither necessary nor proportionate” added Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Gauri van Gulik, with Brits strongly urged to be aware of these types of rules before embarking on a trip.

Under the Foreign Office section regarding safety and security laws, the experts discuss in more detail regulations pertaining to “laws and cultural differences”, adding that if not followed “you may get a fine”.

It said: “It’s illegal to wear clothing that conceals your face in a public place in Denmark. There are legal exemptions – for example, face masks for health reasons.”

This Danish ban regarding dress codes is also evident in France, Belgium, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland.

The banning of covering the face in public places are for items such as wearing masks, false beards or any other obscure ways of covering your face and also includes the niqab and burka.

These enacted bans regarding wearing face coverings in public took effect on August 1, 2018, with Denmark joining a list of other countries who have implemented these bans.

Not following this particular dress code could see a nasty fine coming your way.

“If you cover your face in public, you may get a fine of 1,000 krone (around £115). If you do it again, the fine can increase,” the Foreign Office added.

If travelling to Denmark, the travel experts added a few more cautionary details which includes a person’s passport.

As Denmark follows the Schengen area rules, a person’s passport must:

1. Have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive.

2. Have an ‘expiry date’ at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.