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Date Published: 12/02/2025

Spain hotel fined €1,500 for trying to photocopy guest's ID card

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New ID registration rules that spark backlash as authorities penalise hotel for photocopying a guest's card

Spain hotel fined €1,500 for trying to photocopy guest's ID card

A hotel in northern Spain’s Cantabria has been fined €1,500 for attempting to make a photocopy of a guest’s identification card, a move that has been labelled as making a “mockery” of Spain’s new registration regulations.

Under the latest rules, which were introduced at the end of last year, hotels and tourist accommodations in Spain are now required to use an official online platform to register guest details, replacing traditional paper records. However, critics argue that the system is bureaucratic and confusing, with unclear guidance leading to mistakes like the one that resulted in this fine.

It is not necessary for guests to provide a digital version of their ID card or other documents, but that was a policy of the hotel in question, something which the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) labelled “excessive processing of personal data”.

The incident has sparked frustration within the hospitality sector, with industry representatives questioning whether penalising hotels for minor administrative errors is the right approach. Many argue that the enforcement is overly harsh, particularly given that photocopying ID cards was previously common practice to comply with security requirements.

Some hoteliers have expressed concerns that the rigid application of the new rules could deter visitors or complicate the check-in process, especially during peak tourist seasons. They are calling for greater clarity and flexibility in how the regulations are enforced, as well as better communication between authorities and the tourism industry.

Despite the controversy, the government insists the system is necessary to enhance security and ensure compliance with data protection laws.

Image: Andrea Piacquadio/ Pexels

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