A new law will come into effect in Spain on December 2, 2024, requiring tourists to share personal information when checking into a hotel or renting a car in Spain. The main aim of this measure is to improve security in the country, but the new rules have sparked some debate. Find out what personal information tourists in Spain will now have to provide and how this will affect privacy

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A new Spanish law that came into effect on December 2, 2024, requires tourists who stay in hotels, Airbnbs and campsites or rent a car to provide detailed personal information. The Spanish government says the rules are related to increasing security in the country, but travelers are concerned about privacy. Here’s everything we know about the changes to Spanish law so far.

What information will tourists now have to provide when checking in?

All tourists aged 14 and over will be required to provide personal information.

The hotel check-in questionnaire will include 40 questions, while car rental companies will have to collect answers to more than 60 questions, including:

- Full name, gender, date of birth, nationality.

- Document details (passport number, ID card), place of residence (address, country).

- Contact details (phone, email).

- Payment information (card type, number, expiration date).

Travelers with children under 14 years of age must provide information about their family relationship with the child.

The data must be submitted through an online application from the Ministry of the Interior.

These rules apply to both mainland Spain and its popular islands, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.

How will the collection of personal information affect the privacy of tourists?

The Spanish government has assured that the data collected will be used exclusively for security purposes and will be processed in accordance with data protection regulations. Therefore, there is no threat to privacy.

However, before traveling to Spain, tourists are advised to be aware of their rights regarding the collection and processing of data.

Why did Spain decide to approve the law on the transfer of personal data?

The Ministry of the Interior explains that this information will help fight organized crime and terrorism. According to Spanish authorities, organized crime and terrorism often involve international actors, making visitor data crucial for public security.

The ministry argues that the changes are merely an update of previous data collection rules that have become “outdated” due to advances in payment technology and changes in the tourism industry, and therefore pose no threat to travelers.

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What do travelers think?

Travelers, for their part, are expressing concerns about the impact of the new tourist registry on their privacy.

Certain categories of foreigners have even reported that they plan to avoid Spain because of the new rules.

How has the tourism sector reacted?

The increased requirement for personal data has drawn criticism from the Spanish tourism industry, which claims that it will violate privacy, make travel more expensive and take up a lot of time.

The head of the Spanish Hotel Association has said that from now on, hotel representatives will have to ask for a lot of personal information during check-in, including relationships, payment methods, which account or card is used, etc.

The new process could increase the average check-in time by as much as 10 minutes per guest.

Industry representatives believe that the system:

- Creates bureaucratic difficulties and slows down processes.

- Increases costs for companies.

- Could affect tourists’ right to privacy.

The Spanish Hotel Association is currently planning to file a lawsuit over the negative impact of the new rules.

What happens if tourists don’t collect information?

Tourists will not be fined for mistakes. However, if negligence is found in the handling of data, the company collecting the data could face fines of up to €30,000, underscoring the importance of accurate data collection and reporting.

The new travel rules in Spain focus mainly on internal security, but may lead to longer registration. Tourists should prepare the necessary documents and be aware of the requirements for data exchange.

As a reminder! Mallorca attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists with its fabulous beaches, amazing nature and a variety of entertainment. The island has a large number of equipped beaches, so choosing the best of them is a real challenge with an asterisk. Read more about the best beaches in Mallorca in this article.

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