Starting December 2, 2024, Spain will enforce new regulations requiring tourists to provide extensive personal information when checking into accommodations or renting vehicles. The initiative, aimed at enhancing national security, mandates additional data collection to closely monitor visitor movements.
Travellers aged 14 and above must now submit detailed information, including their full name, gender, nationality, passport number, date of birth, home address, landline and mobile phone numbers, and email address. Adults accompanying minors under 14 are also required to specify their relationship to the children in their group.
The Spanish government defends the measures as critical to combating threats from organized crime and terrorism. However, the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has raised concerns, warning that the new rules could infringe on privacy rights and complicate the check-in process. CEHAT also highlights potential challenges for smaller establishments, many of which may lack the technological infrastructure to securely manage the increased data requirements.
Non-compliance with the regulations could lead to fines of up to €30,000, adding pressure on both tourists and businesses to adhere to the new system. Visitors are advised to anticipate more detailed check-in procedures and allocate extra time for compliance, particularly during peak travel periods.
This regulatory shift underscores Spain’s commitment to enhancing security, but it also highlights the tension between safety measures and privacy rights, potentially impacting the visitor experience in one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
