Spain imposes up to €200,000 fines for destroying protected bird nests

Spain’s wildlife protection law (Law 42/2007 on natural heritage and biodiversity) classifies the intentional destruction of nests belonging to protected bird species such as swallows and swifts as a serious offence. Violators can face penalties ranging from €5,001 to €200,000, with the higher end applied to aggravated cases.

The law also restricts the removal of nests except for specific safety or hygiene reasons, requiring owners to obtain a permit from the regional environmental authority, usually granted only in winter and outside the breeding season. Building renovations, façade cleaning and other structural works often lead to nest damage, prompting the fines.

Experts note that these insect‑eating birds travel thousands of kilometres from Africa each year to breed in Spain, and a destroyed nest forces a pair to make up to 5,000 trips to collect the clay needed for a new one, a process that can take two weeks. Their role in controlling agricultural pests makes the protection of their nests important for farming sustainability.