It has left some holidaymakers disgruntled
Thousands of Brits are set to be affected by new Spanish travel laws which have come into place this week.
Holidaymakers will be asked to fill out extra paperwork when they arrive at hotels in the country or at car rental facilities.
The new law, which has been brought in with the aim of improving the country’s national security, requires accommodation providers and car rental firms to collect personal information about their customers and share it with the Spanish government.
When checking into any kind of accommodation in Spain, whether that is a hotel, hostel, or an Airbnb, customers will have to share their full name, date of birth, sex, nationality, passport number, home address, mobile number, email address and the number of people you are travelling with.
If travellers are choosing to rent a vehicle whilst in Spain, the government will also require access to your driving license, payment information and the car’s GPS data if available.
Though it shouldn’t affect customers’ holidays too much, travellers are being warned that they must be prepared to fill in extra paperwork and spend more time checking in.
The new rules affect the Spanish mainland and it’s islands including the Balearics and the Canary Islands. It will then be uploaded onto a platform that will be monitored by Spanish security forces.
However, some disgruntled Brits who say they have been visiting the country for years have said they will not return after these rules came into place.
One said: “Spent many years going to Spain, but never again. If you are not wanted then you are not welcome, and who wants to go to places you are not welcome in.”
A second commented: “Let them bite the hand that feeds them. My advice is, do not go where you’re not wanted.”
Another countered: “I remember years ago, hotels overseas used to keep your passport in reception. If it’s a security issue and you’ve nothing to hide, I don’t really see the problem.”
Others called for the changes to be introduced in the UK too. They said: “If we as a country did the same, I’d be thrilled. After all, they’re only asking for info that we automatically disclose to airlines without a second thought. In some instances it’ll be a fraction more info but so what, I love holidaying in Spain and this won’t change that.”
