Travellers Register introduced in Spain today, Monday December 2nd 2024

Spain's Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has confirmed that the controversial new Travellers' Register will be introduced as planned on Monday, December 2nd, despite mounting pressure from hoteliers and travel industry groups to delay or amend the law. But will anything actually change for people visiting the island?

The new regulation mandates that accommodation providers, including hotels and car hire companies, collect and submit 18 specific pieces of information about their clients to the Spanish authorities. The government argues that the data collection is crucial in the fight against crime and terrorism, helping to track suspicious activity and manage public security.

However, the move has sparked widespread opposition within Spain’s tourism sector. Although hotels and accommodation providers already have to collect personal data to advise the authorities who is staying where, associations representing hoteliers, as well as travel agencies, have voiced strong objections, urging the government to reconsider. They claim the law imposes undue administrative burdens and could breach privacy and data protection rights.

Currently, a similar system exists, with property owners and online booking platforms voluntarily submitting guest details to the authorities. The new register, however, will make this mandatory (we were led to believe this was the case anyway), and the government insists that it has already led to significant results, including the issuance of over 18,000 search and arrest orders based on information gathered through this system.

Despite the government’s assurances, the Spanish Hotel Federation (FEHM) and other industry groups are preparing to challenge the law in court. They argue that the extensive data collection is excessive and infringes on both privacy rights and EU data protection regulations.

For most tourists, the introduction of the register is unlikely to cause major disruptions. The process is similar to existing requirements for accommodation providers to report guest information to local police, though, worst case scenario, guests may experience slightly longer check-in times as a result of the additional data gathering.

The 'new' register (again, one already exists for accommodation purposes) will apply to all types of accommodation in Spain, including traditional hotels, guesthouses, and short-term rental properties, meaning it will directly impact both the hospitality industry and private hosts offering vacation rentals.

As the implementation date draws near, all eyes will be on whether the legal challenges from the tourism sector will lead to a delay or modification of the law, or if the government will press forward with its plans to tighten security measures nationwide.

Will anything change with the introduction of the new law? Likely not when it comes to accommodation, but we may see data collection being carried out further afield through the likes of Car hire companies etc.

If you're visiting the Canary islands and looking for things to do in Lanzarote or things to do in Tenerife then check out our great selection of trips, activities and things to see and do.