New planned rules for tourists in Spain: what it means

Spain is gearing up to introduce new regulations for tourists, starting from October 1, 2024. These measures are part of a broader effort to manage mass tourism, protect the environment, and ensure public safety. However, the move has sparked concerns, particularly about privacy, proportionality, and the potential impact on both EU and non-EU tourists.

Why Are These New Rules Being Implemented?

Spain’s booming tourism industry has created challenges in key regions, like Barcelona, where overtourism strains local resources and disrupts the lives of residents. Protests have emerged in several cities, leading the Spanish government to rethink its tourism policies. Part of this effort is aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging more responsible travel. The new regulations include collecting personal data such as payment details, phone numbers, and email addresses from tourists.

However, the true motive behind some of these data collection efforts remains unclear. According to Spanish travel federations, this move could be an attempt to discourage mass tourism and manage the negative impacts of large numbers of visitors.

What Does This Mean for EU Tourists?

While EU tourists are typically granted smooth entry due to Spain’s participation in the Schengen Agreement, the new rules may introduce additional hurdles:

• Data Sharing: Hotels, campsites, and rental agencies will now be required to collect extensive personal data from tourists, raising privacy concerns.

• Sustainability and Taxes: In regions with high tourist traffic, new sustainability measures might include caps on daily visitors or increased taxes on tourist activities. For EU tourists, this may result in stricter booking requirements and more regulated access to popular destinations.

What About Non-EU Tourists?

Non-EU tourists will be more significantly affected by Spain's new regulations, which align with broader trends across Europe:

• ETIAS: Starting soon, non-EU travelers will need to apply for ETIAS, a travel authorization required for entry into the Schengen Area. This will involve additional documentation and fees.

• Data Requirements: Like their EU counterparts, non-EU visitors will need to provide detailed personal information, including payment data and contact information. This data-sharing requirement raises concerns about how privacy will be protected.

• Entry Delays: Travelers may experience longer processing times at airports due to the increased scrutiny and the collection of additional personal data.

The Spanish Federation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT) has voiced significant concerns about the proportionality and potential privacy violations stemming from these new rules. The tourism industry worries that the extensive data requirements will lead to legal challenges, while also introducing new layers of complexity that are difficult to manage.

The timing of the new rules has also raised alarms, with many global travel organizations expressing concern that the October 1 deadline is unrealistic.

Spain’s changes come at a time when other European nations are also tightening entry requirements. Germany recently reintroduced border controls, while the UK is preparing to launch an electronic travel authorization system for non-British and non-Irish travelers in 2025. These moves reflect a growing trend across Europe towards regulating tourism more stringently, both for security and sustainability reasons.

Despite the October deadline, there is still significant uncertainty around how these new rules will be implemented. Travel agencies, hotels, and rental companies are calling for a delay to ensure that the regulations can be effectively enforced without causing disruption to tourists or businesses.

Staying informed about these changes will be essential for anyone planning a visit to Spain in the near future.

Travel safe!