Beginning December 2, 2024, Spain has implemented stringent new regulations for tourist registration, significantly increasing the information required during hotel check-ins.
According to Euronews Travel, businesses in the tourism sector must now collect and report over 40 pieces of information for accommodation bookings and more than 60 items for car rentals within 24 hours. This data includes a guest’s full name, email address, passport or ID number, payment details, home address, phone numbers, number of guests, and details about familial relationships within the travel group, including the degree of kinship with accompanying children.
The new rules apply to hotels, vacation rentals, campsites, travel agencies, and car rental companies across mainland Spain and the islands, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Non-compliance carries severe penalties, with fines reaching up to €30,000. Spanish authorities have justified the measures as part of a broader initiative to combat organized crime.
However, the changes have drawn criticism from the hospitality industry. Hotels argue that the extensive data collection requirements could negatively impact the guest experience. The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT) successfully delayed the implementation of the rules, originally slated for January 2023, by nearly two years.
