Be Safe, Be Legal, When You Holiday in Spain

New tourist regulations in Spain - what is really important for you to know.

For many years tourists have had to provide the following information when hiring a car in Spain or checking into a hotel:

Name, home address, passport or national ID information, mobile number, arrival and departure dates.

New legal obligation for self-catering accommodation

This legal obligation is now also required for all self-catering accommodation as well. All guests over 14 years old are required to have this information registered with the owner of the self-catering accommodation.

The owner is required to log onto a national Home Office secure website and download this information, it is a legal requirement and failure to do so is a serious offence. All establishments must have a tourist licence.

Why this change?

Spain uses this information in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and tax evasion.

Please understand this information needs to be provided to the accommodation provider. If they do not insist upon it probably indicates you are staying in an unlicensed illegal holiday let.

Why does that matter to you, the guest?

Several reasons, including insurance may not be in place, the accommodation could be inspected and closed by the police when you are staying and therefore you will be evicted. The owners are cutting corners on the registration, what else are they cutting corners on!!

Please only use self-catering accommodation that has a tourist licence to ensure you have a fantastic holiday. If this is not the case every licensed self-catering accommodation has a complaints book that you can request. Copies have to be provided to the town hall and complaints are taken seriously.