Going to Spain? Be prepared to give more personal information to hotels

04 Dec 2024, 00:17 by Veronika Bondarenko · The Fresno Bee

People who have traveled around various European countries know that when you check into a hotel, you're generally required to show an ID to the desk agent and even allow the document to be photocopied for the hotel's records. This practice is not common in the U.S.

Such regulations are typically part of local laws requiring hotels and vacation rental property owners to keep a record of people who have stayed in their establishments.

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The change will apply to travel through Barcelona and all Spanish cities.ShutterstockShutterstock

Address, email and passport number: These are the changes to Spain's traveler registration law

Over in Spain, authorities passed changes to the existing Traveler Registry law that will require hotels, travel agencies, vacation rental property owners and car rental firms to collect not just basic biographical information about their customers but also their home address, national ID or passport number, phone number and email as well as their relationship to any children registered in the party. The information would be required of all travelers older than 14 while the younger children's names must be registered with the adult traveling with them.

The new requirements went into effect on Dec. 2 and require those who run hotels and other facilities where large numbers of tourists pass through to collect traveler information that it could produce in the event of a check by authorities. Depending on whether it is a first-time offense, not being able to produce these papers upon request could subject the establishment to a fine of between €100 and €30,000 (USD $105-$31,000).

While the aim of the changes is to crack down on rising rates of international organized crime syndicates operating in the country, the rules have been subject to significant criticism from industry heads arguing that it will significantly complicate the check-in process as well as scare off tourists not used to such a level of monitoring.

The Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), which represents over 17,000 establishments, issued a statement saying that the new law "puts the viability of the sector in serious danger."

Flying to Spain? Here is when you'll need to provide the information

With much last-minute uncertainty about whether the law would pass or end up getting amended at the last minute, there are significant logistical challenges around how they will be implemented by hotel staff.

Some hotels may require the information to be submitted when completing an online booking, while others may ask travelers to fill out a paper form during check-in. Those using an online booking platform like Airbnb (ABNB ) will likely need to do it on arrival as concurrent internet security laws in Europe do not allow platforms to request extensive personal information online.

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Not providing the information may result in travelers being refused accommodation, but it will not result in trouble with the Spanish authorities, as the law targets how hospitality establishments collect information rather than individual travelers.

Despite criticism over how such changes would complicate the check-in process, Spain's Ministry of the Interior said they were "justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offenses committed by criminal organizations."

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This story was originally published December 3, 2024, 4:17 PM.