Spain’s New Data Rules for Tourists Spark Check-in Delay Concerns

Starting Monday, individuals visiting Spain will encounter increased administrative procedures due to a new regulation that obliges proprietors of hotels and car rental agencies to transmit personal customer data to the government. These regulations extend to rental accommodations and campsites, and their implementation is attributed to national security imperatives. Nevertheless, experts in the tourism sector have voiced apprehensions regarding privacy and have indicated a potential for extended wait times at check-in counters. The mandated information encompasses passport particulars, residential addresses, and payment methods for individuals aged 14 and older, all of which will be forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior. The Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) articulated its apprehension regarding the repercussions on its members’ commercial operations and is evaluating the possibility of initiating legal proceedings to contest the new directives. Spain holds the position of Europe’s second most frequented tourist destination, having welcomed over 82m visitors in 2023, a figure that included 17m from the UK. The effective date for these new regulations, formally identified as Royal Decree 933/2021, was rescheduled from 1 October to 2 December, a deferral intended to afford the industry a greater period for readiness. Both international visitors and Spanish citizens will be mandated to furnish details, which are also set to comprise phone numbers, email addresses and the number of travellers. Commercial entities will be required to register with the Ministry of the Interior, submit the gathered data on a daily basis, and retain a digital archive of this information for a duration of three years. Non-compliance could result in penalties ranging from €100 and €30,000 (£80-£25,000). Concurrently, Airbnb has communicated to property owners who lease accommodation through its online platform that they must register with the Spanish government and proceed with collecting data from their clientele. The Ministry of the Interior, in an official declaration, affirmed that the regulations are “justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offences committed by criminal organisations”. Conversely, CEHAT, the representative body for the hotel industry, contended that this modification “puts the viability of the sector in serious danger”. It further elaborated that both tourists and Spanish citizens will have to deal with “complex and tedious administrative procedures, compromising their accommodation experience”. Additionally, it asserted that hoteliers are being compelled to adhere to “confusing and disproportionate regulations” that contravene other European directives pertaining to data protection and payment systems. Travel journalist Simon Calder informed the BBC that the Spanish government harbors concerns regarding organised crime and terrorism, and that they “simply want to know… who’s coming and going, where they are staying and what cars they are renting”. It is anticipated that a significant number of accommodation and car rental service providers will implement automated data collection processes, likely through online registration. Mr Calder projected that there would be “quite a lot of standing around at reception” once the regulations become active, but he also noted that it is presently “very low season” at the moment, which would provide businesses with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the system. Penelope Bielckus, a travel content creator based in Gibraltar for The Flyaway Girl blog, remarked that the new regulations “add another layer of paperwork that can feel like a chore when all you want is to relax on holiday”. She also concurred that these measures “might slow things down a bit, especially at check-in, since there’s now more paperwork to handle”. Yet, she noted that while Spain’s approach to data collection “does feel stricter” than in other locations, hotels and car rental agencies already gather a substantial portion of the required traveler information. She further stated, “We’re still waiting to see how this will affect things like last-minute hotel bookings or car hire.” She concluded, “Hopefully, it won’t cause any major problems, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on in case of any changes.”