Vienna, Austria – May 14, 2026
European travelers risk severe penalties for common traffic violations, with fines varying dramatically by country and offenses like drunk driving carrying jail sentences in Spain.
Drunk Driving Penalties Range From Fines to Jail Time
Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.5‰ face minimum fines of €500 in Spain and Germany, while Italy imposes at least €545 for the same offense, according to verified statistics. Spain enforces particularly harsh measures, with prison sentences of up to three months for drivers exceeding 1.2‰ blood alcohol content.
Italy takes additional punitive steps: vehicles can be confiscated if the driver registers above 1.5‰ and is also the registered owner. "Bei Verstößen drohen hohe Geldstrafen, Fahrzeugbeschlagnahmung oder sogar Haft – auch bei vermeintlich 'kleinen' Vergehen," warns ÖAMTC legal expert Verena Pronebner.
Speed Traps and Parking Violations Carry Heavy Costs
Norway imposes the strictest speeding penalties in Europe, with fines starting at €750 for exceeding the limit by 20 km/h. Drivers caught going 50 km/h over face minimum fines of €1,365. By contrast, Sweden charges €225 for similar violations.
Parking infractions also carry unexpected consequences. Austrian drivers face €50 fines, while Spain charges €200 and Greece €350 for comparable offenses. Croatian authorities frequently pursue unpaid parking tickets years later, with demands averaging €200 per violation.