Motorists heading to the continent this Spring or Summer could be caught out by speed limit rules with different restrictions in place across Europe. Those caught breaking the rules are likely to be fined with hefty punishments in place for road users.

Penalties can range from several hundred euros to thousands on a major blow to holidaymakers trying to get away, Speed limits vary dramatically across Europe meaning a simple check before heading away would be a good idea. It comes after Spanish officials decided to up the speed limit to 150kph (93mph) on a motorway near Catalonia as a trial.

France, the UK’s closest neighbour, has its top speed limit set at 130kph (80mph) on motorway routes.

It means road users can travel a little faster in France than in Britain but this does not apply to built-up urban areas.

Urban areas near lots of housing and people have a strict speed limit of 50kph (30mph) the same as in the UK.

Many countries in the European Union including Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece and Italy also follow a similar pattern with 150kph (80mph) on major routes and 50kph (30mph) in urban areas.

Germany has a recommended maximum speed limit of 130kph (80mph) on motorways. However, this rule is dropped on certain sections of the road.

The country's Autobahn system has gone down in legend with road users able to travel as fast as they like with no legal restrictions.

However, officials have the power to impose variable limits on sections of the road depending on traffic conditions.

Same as France, in built-up areas motorists may follow a strict rule of 50kph (30mph) at all times.

Some areas have a maximum 120kph (75mph) limit on their fastest routes, bringing it closer to the UK’s 70mph.

These include top holiday destinations such as Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

Other anomalies across the rest of the continent include a 140kph (87mph) maximum in Bulgaria, Poland and Turkey.

Meanwhile, Albania, Georgia and Russia have the slowest motorways with speeds set at just 110kph (68mph).

Russia also has a slightly higher urban speed limit with road users able to travel around cities at 60kph (37mph).