Spain Introduces Strict New Tourist Data Collection Rules
Starting Monday, visitors to Spain will face new regulations requiring hotels, car hire firms, rental properties, and campsites to submit detailed personal information about their customers to the government. The new law, officially known as Royal Decree 933/2021, aims to enhance national security but has raised concerns within the tourism industry about privacy and potential operational challenges.
The comprehensive data collection will include personal details for travelers over 14 years old, such as passport information, home addresses, payment methods, phone numbers, email addresses, and the number of travelers. Businesses must register with the Ministry of the Interior, report collected data daily, and maintain digital records for three years.
Spain, the second most-popular European tourist destination with over 82 million visitors in 2023 (including 17 million from the UK), initially planned to implement these rules on October 1st but delayed the start date to December 2nd to give businesses more preparation time.
The Ministry of the Interior justifies the regulations as necessary for citizen security, specifically targeting terrorism and serious criminal organizations. However, the Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has strongly criticized the new rules, arguing that they could potentially endanger the tourism sector’s viability.
CEHAT claims the regulations are “confusing and disproportionate,” potentially compromising travelers’ accommodation experiences and conflicting with European data protection directives. The organization is even considering legal action to challenge the rules.
Travel experts anticipate some initial disruptions. Simon Calder, a travel journalist, suggests the government primarily wants to track who is entering and leaving the country, where they are staying, and what vehicles they are renting. He expects accommodation and car hire providers will likely automate data collection through online registration.
Travel content creator Penelope Bielckus acknowledges the new rules might slow down check-in processes and add administrative complexity. However, she notes that much of the required information is already typically collected by hotels and car hire companies.
Businesses face significant financial consequences for non-compliance, with potential fines ranging from €100 to €30,000 (approximately £80 to £25,000). Airbnb has already instructed property owners using its platform to register with the Spanish government and collect the required customer data.
While concerns exist about potential delays and administrative burdens, the low tourist season might provide businesses an opportunity to adapt to the new system. Travelers are advised to be prepared for additional paperwork and potentially longer check-in processes when visiting Spain.
The implementation of these strict data collection rules represents a significant shift in Spain’s approach to tourism management, balancing national security concerns with potential impacts on visitor experience and industry operations.
