Poll finds Italians and French, not Germans, are worst sunlounger hoggers

A new YouGov poll of European holidaymakers challenges the popular stereotype that Germans are Europe's worst sunlounger hoggers. While the belief is widespread among Germans themselves (51%) and Britons (46%), it is far less common elsewhere, shared by just 5-17% of people in other countries surveyed.

In reality, the data shows 45% of Italian and French holidaymakers who stay at places with pools admit to having reserved a lounger with a towel, compared with 38% of Germans. Britons were the least likely to admit to the habit, at 33%.

Across all countries surveyed, most respondents (60-82%) said the practice was unacceptable, yet it remains widespread: 51-63% said they had been left without a lounger because all were taken, and 14-28% admitted to removing someone else's towel to resolve the situation.

Italy's beach problem

In Italy, the issue extends beyond sunloungers to public beaches, where some visitors have earned the nickname "furbetti dell'ombrellone", or umbrella cheats, for leaving umbrellas pitched overnight to reserve spots by the sea. The practice is growing on free-access beaches as Italians increasingly turn away from Italy's costly private beach concessions.

In late July, authorities in a Naples suburb seized 40 items, including umbrellas, loungers and deckchairs, during a dawn sweep of a popular free beach. Similar operations have taken place in Puglia and Sardinia, with fines of up to €500 for offenders.

Danilo Ruggiero, an activist with the group Mare Libero, said the behaviour partly stems from people not wanting to carry equipment to and from the beach each day, though he acknowledged a genuine desire to secure the best spots also plays a role.

Locals interviewed in both France and Italy confirmed the behaviour is common, while some remained convinced Germans were still the main culprits.