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With its culture, cuisine and sun-blessed climate, Spain has long been a magnet for tourists — in fact, it’s the most visited overseas destination by British travellers.
From its cosmopolitan capital Madrid to perennially popular Barcelona, via the glorious beaches of the Costa del Sol — not forgetting the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands — there’s no shortage of amazing places to discover.
However, the requirements to enter the country are changing, with the introduction of new data checks from December 2024, followed by the planned launch of both the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) in 2025. If you’re travelling to Spain soon, here’s what you need to know.
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What are the new rules for visiting Spain?
From December 2, 2024, tourists will face additional checks when staying in hotels, Airbnbs and campsites under new rules designed to enhance security and crack down on organised crime. This personal data will then be passed on to the Spanish government.
Hotels had previously been required to collect some information (such as name, email, and passport/ID number); however, the new rules will mean collecting more extensive data.
Meanwhile, for the first time, people renting cars will now also have their data passed to the authorities. Companies that fail to comply with the regulations could potentially be fined up to €30,000 (around £25,000).
What data will be collected?
Personal data that will need to be collected under the new rules includes the following:
• Name
• Nationality
• Passport/ID number
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Full address
• Email
• Phone number
• Payment details
The latter is one of the most controversial requirements, with some expressing concern and confusion over precisely what details will be passed on. Accommodation and car-hire suppliers will be expected to keep digital records for three years.
How will the rules affect travellers?
With the changes only recently coming into effect, it remains to be seen what impact they will have on travellers. However, the Confederación Española de Hoteles y Alojamientos Turísticos (the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, known as CEHAT) has strongly opposed the move, saying it “could not only violate fundamental privacy rights, but also threatens to complicate and hinder the experience of millions of visitors who choose Spain as their destination”. On November 26, CEHAT warned that it may take “possible legal action”.
Other critics have described the rules as “big brother” and “draconian”, and warned that tourists may face longer waits at check-in. However, supporters say that the new measures, part of a royal decree, are necessary to improve security and tackle crime.
What other entry requirements are there?
Like most countries in the EU, Spain requires British travellers to have a valid passport that is less than ten years old on arrival (check the date of issue). It will also need to have at least three months remaining after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Brits can currently spend a maximum of 90 out of 180 days in Schengen countries without a visa when travelling for tourism.
