British travellers will face more bureaucracy when visiting the nation’s favourite holiday destination, Spain, from 2 December. New entry requirements are coming into force that require a host of data to be provided when checking into accommodation or hiring a car, from passport details to home address and mobile phone number.
The law was passed on 26 October 2021 to protect “public safety” from terrorist threats and organised crime, according to the Spanish government. After widespread opposition in part due to concerns about data protection and “Big Brother” surveillance, it will start to be enforced from Monday, 2 December.
The scheme’s launch comes following an ongoing operation between the Irish Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and Spain’s Guardia Civil, which is targeting a transnational organised crime group. Large searches were carried out in both countries in October.
In 2023, 17 million British travellers visited Spain – more than any other nation in the world. Since Brexit, British passport-holders can be asked to prove they have sufficient funds for their stay – €114 (£95) per person per day or at least €1,021 (£850) or equivalent in foreign currency – as well as proof of a return ticket and a confirmed accommodation reservation. If staying with friends or family, an invitation or proof of address, known as a carta de invitación, completed by the hosts, may be required.
They must also stay no longer than 90 days in every 180 days. This is checked using passport stamps, a system that will be replaced when the EU’s delayed Entry/Exit System comes into force.
Reactions have been mixed to the new law
(Photo: Li Sen/Getty Images)
From 2 December 2024, international visitors to Spain will be required, by law, to provide several pieces of information to their place of accommodation when checking in.
However, pushback has come from several groups, including the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT).
The association, which has previously likened the plans to “Big Brother”, has criticised the government for the implementation of the new rule, and the potential effect it might have on tourism in the country, suggesting people will be put off by the changes.
“Travellers who come to Spain are looking to enjoy their leisure time, not to be immersed in intrusive and endless administrative processes that put their privacy at risk. This regulation is not only unnecessary, but it also creates uncertainty and erodes confidence in our tourist offer[ing],” Jorge Marichal, president of CEHAT, said in a statement.
“Tourism is the cornerstone of the Spanish economy and we cannot allow our country to lose either competitiveness or the confidence of tourists. It is urgent that this regulation be reconsidered, that the privacy of travellers be respected and that any damage to our reputation as a leading tourist destination worldwide be avoided.”
These are the details Spain will require from December
As well as ensuring they meet the financial requirements set out by the Spanish government, visitors aged 14 and over will need to fill in a form with their full name, nationality, gender, passport number, date of birth and home address.
If applicable, a landline or a mobile phone number will be required alongside an email address. The form will then be administered by the accommodation provider.
The UK Foreign Office is likely to update the information required on its website.
Currently, there will only be fines in place for organisations that don’t collect the information properly, although tourists could fall foul of such penalties in the future, when the scheme is assessed.