Overview

• A restaurant in Port de Pollença, Mallorca, charged a couple two euros for not ordering a starter, a fee not disclosed on the menu.
• The staff were unable to explain the charge, leading to confusion and an eventual refund along with an apology to the guests.
• Consumer protection organizations confirmed the fee was illegal under Spanish and EU regulations requiring transparent disclosure of all charges.
• The couple suspects the charge was intentionally imposed, reflecting a broader trend of hidden surcharges in European tourist destinations.
• The incident has reignited public debate about billing transparency and consumer rights, though no formal legal action has been announced.