Outrage over new Spain rules that will make holidays ‘much more complicated’

NEW rules being rolled out for tourists across Spain have been slammed by the country’s leading hotel association.

From December 2, Brits heading anywhere in Spain will be required to give hotels and accommodation a number of extra personal details.

This includes 31 new pieces of information such as home addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.

Families will also be asked their relationship to any children travelling with them, as well as their group size.

The new rule have been introduced by the Spanish government in a bid to “crackdown on organised crime“.

However Spain’s leading hotel association CEHAT has slammed the rules, after their request to dial down the details given was denied.

CEHAT Secretary General Ramón Estalella previously described the new rules as “Big Brother” and warned it will also massively delay busy check in times.

They told the Telegraph: “Spain is already the only country in the EU where hotels must send guests’ ID info to the police, while in other countries they just have to keep that data for a period.

“Not only could it violate fundamental privacy rights, but it also threatens to complicate and hinder the experience of millions of visitors who choose Spain as a destination.” 

They also said that many hotels do not have the correct technology to follow the new rules, nor to provide adequate data protection.

They added: “It is impossible to automate the process and it would involve additional and disproportionate manual work for establishments and a considerable increase in errors.”

The new rules have already been delayed a number of times since January 2023 when they were meant to be introduced.

Any hotel organisation that does not comply with the rules faces fines up to €30,000 (£25,000).

A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry previously said: “It is justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offences committed by criminal organisations.”

Furious tourists have slammed the new rules with one saying: “They are off my holiday list.”

Another said: “That’s a shame so much for that holiday in Spain. I am sure another country will be happy to take my money.”

Tourists are already asked a number of other questions when entering the country.

For example, arrivals must be able to show evidence of enough funds while in the country, with at least €100 (£85) for each day in Spain.

Spain has a number of strict rules in place across the country.

Smoking is banned on a number of beaches in Barcelona and the Canary islands, with fines up to £1,700.

Some restaurants in Majorca ban any tourists who are wearing football shirts.

And alcohol limits are in place on destinations such as Magaluf and Ibiza.

Tourists at all-inclusive resorts will only be allowed to have three drinks in the day and three in the evening.

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