Holidaymakers visiting Spain will soon face increased scrutiny as new legislation, like “Big Brother,” requires hotels and other service providers to collect extensive personal data from tourists. The regulations will apply to hotels, travel agencies, car rental firms, and accommodation apps and will come into force on Monday, December 2.
Under the new rules, Spanish hotels must collect up to 31 pieces of information from all guests aged 14 or above. This data will include full names, gender, nationality, passport number, date of birth, home address, mobile number, and email address. Currently, hotels only ask for ID cards or passport details. Still, this legislation goes further, mandating the upload of this information onto a platform to be shared with Spanish security forces.
Children under 14 will not need to provide the information; however, adults traveling with them must disclose their relationship. The Spanish government has defended the legislation, stating that it aims to combat organised crime.
The new decree has sparked a backlash from Spain’s leading hotel association, Cehat. The group’s secretary-general, Ramón Estelella, called the rules “like ‘Big Brother’” and warned they would lead to chaos. Cehat has initiated a legal challenge, expressing concerns that the new requirements may infringe on customers’ privacy. The group also warned that the law could violate the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, potentially leading to heavy fines, even exceeding the proposed penalty of 30,000 euros (£25,000) for non-compliance.
Estelella pointed out that Spain is already the only country in the EU where hotels must send guests’ ID information to the police. “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,” Cehat said in a statement. The group also highlighted the potential for significant delays at hotel check-ins, particularly during peak seasons.
Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, defended the rules, asserting in October that they balance privacy and public security. The move follows growing tensions surrounding over-tourism across Spain and Europe. This year, protests have erupted over rising house prices and the impact of holiday rental platforms like Airbnb, particularly in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. In the Canary Islands, popular destinations such as Playa de las Americas have seen demonstrators rallying against the pressures of over-tourism, with some chanting “This beach is ours” while tourists sunbathe.
As the new regulations approach, the debate continues over whether they will improve security or harm Spain’s tourism industry.
