British expats living in Spain have had their cars are being vandalised by locals harbouring an 'anti-British' sentiment, they claim.
The couple, hailing from Horsham, West Sussex, relocated to Marbella four years ago and initially felt embraced by the "very friendly" local community.
However, in June 2023, they encountered an unpleasant surprise during a breakfast outing at upscale restaurant Nobu when their British-plated Volvo XC0 was defaced with pink spray paint by yobs. The pair allege that restaurant staff recounted a similar incident involving another car with a British plate, suspecting it was an act of 'anti-British vandalism'.
For fear of more attention, the couple has chosen to remain unnamed. They've spoken up now due to a perceived growing anti-British sentiment in the country.
Do you live in Spain and have experience of 'anti-British' behaviour? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
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Tourists have been met with stricter rules as part of the provinces' pushback (No credit)
Over 10,000 people marched in Majorca over the weekend to express their frustration with the amount of tourists visiting Spain (No credit)Among recent mounting frustrations in Spain regarding cheap tourism causing disturbances, tourists have been met with stricter rules as part of the provinces' pushback. The anonymous woman shared her view: "It seems to be that English reg cars are being targeted as part of feeling that there are too many Brits in Spain."
She expressed disappointment, stating: "I think it's quite sad there is so much building happening now and housing is being sold to tourists but mainly where we are it has been to Russians, not Brits." She added: "I just think it's sad Marbella is a lovely place to live and the Spanish are normally very friendly."
The British expat voiced her shock: "I never expected that someone would do something like this to us just because we're British." The business consultants chose Marbella, Spain, as their new home four years ago. Luckily, the couple had a friend who managed to clean up the car for €250 (£210.65) - a job that they admitted would have cost them nearly €1,000 (£842.60) if they had taken it to a mechanic.
Spain has suffered from a series of protests recently, as local anger rises over concerns of the impacts of tourism and overcrowding. Over 10,000 people marched in Majorca over the weekend to express their frustration with the amount of tourists visiting Spain.
Recently, Majorca's capital, Palma, has been the site of protests over growing concerns surrounding over-tourism, a problem which has created a steep rise in rent costs.
Juan Antonio Amengual, the mayor of Calvia where notorious party resort Magaluf sits, has made a plea to British tourists not to abandon the island because of the protests.
He encouraged travellers to continue visiting the popular holiday destination after over 50 percent of people said the recent protests put them off holidaying in Majorca. Although Magaluf can draw in a sometimes hectic crowd of party goers, the mayor said this does not reflect the behaviour of all tourists and has actually created some "tourismphobia".
He said the aim is for "people to enjoy their holidays with respect between tourists and residents" and is campaigning, as part of the Calvia town hall, to promote responsible tourism as the summer season draws near.
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