Unusual Spanish Christmas law that could see British expats fined up to £170,000

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Christmas nativity scenes are a common sight in Spanish homes as December 25 approaches. But the seemingly harmless decoration could be against the law.

A top environmental lawyer in Spain, Agustin Bocos, has issued a nativity warning ahead of Christmas.

He said that anyone using real moss harvested from the forest could be set to face a hefty fine this Christmas season.

Many nativity scenes feature moss, either on the roof of the stable or by the animals outside the barn.

However, using real Spanish moss could be breaking the law according to the top Spanish lawyer.

He said: “The forest regulations of 1962 consider a serious infraction for the cutting or tearing of the moss from the mountainside.”

Moss is an essential feature of Spain’s delicate ecosystem, preventing soil erosion and absorbing water.

Bocos said that anyone caught using moss on a nativity scene could expect a fine of up to €200,000 (£170,000).

The heaviest fine would be reserved for people who harvested their moss from a protected forest, according to the lawyer.

However, as moss is a protected species in many Spanish wooded areas, even people taking moss from outside a protected area could be fined.

The lawyer said fines could range from €1,000 to €100,000 (£853 to £85,357) for using protected moss on a nativity.

Despite the law, Bocos said there were “little means” for authorities to catch any of the green-fingered criminals.

Moss thieves are likely to go undetected, particularly if their nativity scene is inside the home.

As an alternative to real moss, the lawyer suggested that residents use synthetic moss to decorate their displays.

According to reports, the first nativity scene in Spain was displayed in Palma, Mallorca in 1536.

Known as ‘belen’ in Spain, many Spanish towns and cities erect huge nativity scenes during the Christmas season.

British expats in Catalonia should keep an eye out for the Nativity caganer, a curious figure included in displays in the region.

The caganer is a Spanish peasant caught answering the call of nature. Some caganers are even made in the likeness of famous people.

British expats in Spain will also need to be careful not to break any of the country’s unusual winter driving laws.

Driving in heavy winter clothes could incur a fine in Spain if authorities believe the outfit obstructs the driver.

While it is up to traffic officers to decide if the clothing amounts to an offence, expats should avoid wearing heavy gloves in the driver’s seat.

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