Laws can sound very dumb sometimes, but there was a reason for each of those! Anyway here’s a selection of some dumb European laws and if you come to think of it, some are not that dumb at all…

Denmark

• Attempt to escape from prison is not illegal, however, if one he is caught he is required to serve out the remainder of his term.

• One may not be charged for food at an inn unless that person, by his or her own opinion, is “full”.

• Restaurants may not charge for water unless it is accompanied by another item such as ice or a lemon slice.

• No one may start a car while someone is underneath the vehicle.

• Before starting your car you are required to check lights, brakes, steering and honk your horn.

• Headlights must be on whenever a vehicle is being operated in order to distinguish it from parked cars.

• When driving, you must have someone in front of your car with a flag to warn horse drawn carriages that a motorcar is coming.

• If a horse drawn carriage is trying to pass a car and the horse becomes uneasy, the owner of the car is required to pull over and if necessary, cover the car.

• It is illegal to encrypt data files, own and distribute them.

• There is a penalty of 20kr for not reporting when a person has died.

Finland

• Taxi drivers must pay royalties if they play music in their cars for paying customers.

England

• With the exception of carrots, most goods may not be sold on Sunday.
• London Hackney Carriages (taxis/cabs) must carry a bale of hay and a sack of oats.

• It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar).

• It is illegal for two adult men to have sex in the same house as a third person.
  It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.
  Picking up abandoned baggage is as act of terrorism.

• It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.

• Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked mannequin.

• A bed may not be hung out of a window.

• No cows may be driven down the roadway between 10 AM and 7 PM unless there is prior approval from the Commissioner of Police.

• Since 1313, MPs are not allowed to don armor in Parliament.

• Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stock.

Scotland

• It is illegal to be a drunk while in possession of a cow.
• If someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your residence, you must let them enter.
• You may not fish on Sundays.

France

• It is illegal to kiss on railways in France.

• No pig may be addressed as Napoleon by its owner.

• Between the hours of 8AM and 8PM, 70% of the music in the radio must be by French composers.
• It is illegal in Antibes to take photos of police officers or police vehicles, even if they are just in the background.

• An ashtray is considered to be a deadly weapon.

Italy

• All gondolas in Venice by law, must be painted black unless they belong to a high ranking official.
• A man may be arrested for wearing a skirt.
• It is illegal to practice the profession of charlatanry.
• Striking someone with a fist is considered a felony.

Ireland

• Any person who shall pretend or exercise to use any type of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment, or pretend knowledge in any occult or or craft or science shall for any such offense suffer imprisonment at the time of one whole year and also shall be obliged to obscursion for his/her good behavior.

Germany:

• A pillow can be considered a “passive” weapon.

• It is illegal for ones car to run out of gas on a highway.

• It is illegal to wear a mask when going on strike..

• Every office must have a view of the sky, however small.

Switzerland:

• If you forget you car-keys inside the car and you leave the car open, you will be punished.

• Though it is illegal to produce, store, sell and trade absinth (special alcohol), it is legal to consume it.

• Clothes may not be hung to dry on Sunday.

• You may not wash your car on a Sunday.

• It is considered an offense to mow your lawn on a Sunday, because it causes too much noise.

• It is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 PM.

• A man may not relieve himself while standing up, after 10 PM.

• It is required that every car with snow tires has to have a sticker on its dashboard which tells that the driver should not drive faster than 160 km/h with these tires.

Belgium:

• A driver who needs to turn through oncoming traffic has the right of way unless he slows down or stops.

Greece:

• All electronic games are banned.

Holland:

• It is legal to smoke pot, buy it, or have less than 5 grams with you.

• Prostitution is legal but the prostitutes must pay taxes like any other business.

Norway:

• Licenses must be bought in order to own television sets, and even VCRs.

• You may not spay your female dog or cat.

Sweden:

• While prostitution is legal, it is illegal to use the services of a prostitute.

• You may only own half a meter down in the ground of any land you own.

• It is illegal to repaint a house without a painting license and the government’s permission.

Turkey:

• All married women must get their husband’s permission if they wish to have a job, they must live wherever the husband wishes to reside, and they must forfeit all jointly held assets upon divorce from her husband.

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