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Andalucía has drawn a clear line on a practice many beachgoers may have thought was harmless. Under a new Cultural Heritage Law, the use of metal detectors on the region’s beaches will be prohibited, with fines rising as high as €250,000 in the most serious cases.

 

The law was published in the Official Gazette of the Andalusian Regional Government on Friday April 7 and will come into force on Sunday April 27, 2026. From that date, using metal detectors or similar devices to look for archaeological remains will be banned, except for authorised scientific work.

 

The move is part of a wider effort to protect Andalucía’s cultural heritage. While metal detectors are often used to search for lost coins, jewellery or other items buried in the sand, the authorities are particularly concerned about archaeological remains being disturbed, removed or damaged before they can be properly studied.

 

According to the information behind the new law, these devices are considered one of the biggest threats to heritage, even more so than construction work in some cases. The government says the aim is to prevent historical material from disappearing or being altered before experts can assess it.

 

The penalties are being toughened to reflect the seriousness of the offence. Using a detector without authorisation can be treated as a minor, serious or very serious infringement, depending on the damage caused and whether the activity takes place in a protected area.

 

Fines start at €10,000 in the least serious cases. They rise to €150,000 for serious offences, such as carrying out activity without a permit that puts heritage sites at risk. In the most serious cases, where archaeological sites are destroyed or important information is lost forever, the penalty can reach €250,000.

 

There are also clear instructions for anyone who comes across something that may be historically important. If a person makes an accidental discovery, they must report it immediately to the authorities. There is no compensation or reward for what is found, and if the object or remains have historical or archaeological value, they become the property of the State.

 

For anyone heading to the coast this spring and summer, the message from Andalucía is simple: leave the metal detector at home.

 

 

Image: James Qube/Pixabay