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How much information is too much information? That is the question that many travelers to Spain are currently asking themselves!
From October 1, the Spanish government will introduce new guidelines that will impact all travelers, including those traveling from the US
These changes could affect the way people choose to travel to Spain.
Here’s what you need to know:
Spain introduces new tourism laws
It’s normal for a hotel to swipe your credit card and take a copy of your passport when you arrive at a new destination, and this is something most of us have experienced and expect.
But Spanish authorities have taken this normal travel routine one step further.
Under Spanish Royal Decree 933/2021homes in Spain will have to do that share the information they collect about their guests with the authorities (particularly the local police station) using a new digital application system.
This rule applies to both hotels and private accommodations such as Airbnb.
And the list of personal information that is both collected and shared is quite extensive.
What personal information about you is shared?
I know this topic sounds a bit dry, but if you travel regularly in Spain (like me!) it’s important to be informed.
So what information will your hotel share about you?
Up to 18 different types of personal data are collected and shared, including:
- Name (first name and last name)
- Sex
- Passport information, including your passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Full address
- Landline and mobile phone number
- Email address
- The number of people you are traveling with, their names and your relationship to the other passengers
- Transaction details, including the contract you signed with the property, the date of this contract and your signature.
- Date and time of entry and date and time of departure.
Perhaps the most controversial of the data collected is your payment information. This includes:
- The type of payment you made (e.g. cash, credit card or other payment platform)
- Information about your payment, including card type and number, IBAN bank account, mobile payment solution, others.
- The name on your payment card
- The expiration date of your card
Are there any objections to these new tourism laws?
Yes! The objections to these new tourism laws were loud and plentiful!
Cehat, the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, has rejected these rules as unsafe and a security risk.
They cite “legal uncertainty, the lack of clarity in the text and the additional administrative burdens” as the reason they believe the plans should not be introduced.
In fact, this new data collection law means that Spanish authorities can track you throughout your stay in Spain, and technically they will even be able to track your bank details and your expenses.
As a result, many media outlets, especially in Europe, have labeled this new law as ‘a The ‘Big Brother’ law.
It allows the Spanish authorities to have much more control over the information of their visitors.
And it is worth noting that this new decree applies to both international and domestic tourists in Spain.
In the spirit of fair and balanced reporting, the Spanish government claims that these new laws will make the country safer.
Spain’s Interior Ministry has defended its decision, saying that knowing who stays in its hotels and apartment complexes and when they stay there will benefit national security.
Spain is one of the most visited countries in Europe. France is currently the most visited, but Spain will overtake it for first place in the next decade.
Only time will tell whether these new regulations will deter visitors from choosing Spain in the future.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
