A record 94 million people visited Spanish destinations last year (Image: Getty)
Brits planning a Spanish getaway this year may come across some hurdles. Whether you’re jetting off for a week of sun or considering a retirement in the sunshine, it’s important to stay informed about the changing rules.
The housing crisis, marked by shortages and soaring prices, has led to anti-tourist protests in several cities such as Barcelona and Seville. The influx of foreign buyers and mass tourism are believed by local campaigners to be fuelling the situation.
As the summer holiday season approaches, Britons heading to Spain have been warned about nine changes they will encounter. Spain has unveiled a 12-step strategy to tackle its strained housing market, which saw some of Europe’s steepest price increases last year at 8.3%.
In 2024, the country saw an unprecedented number of overseas visitors, with roughly 94 million arrivals. Despite the demonstrations, it is still predicted to be a major holiday hotspot for 2025, so here are the nine changes British travellers should be aware of if they’ve chosen a Spanish holiday.
Check in could take longer thanks to new ‘Big Brother’ laws (Image: Getty)
1. ‘Big Brother’ laws for visitors
On December 2, 2024, the Spanish government introduced the ‘Big Brother’ regulations, requiring hotels to collect extensive personal information from tourists. This includes family details, bank card specifics, and addresses, which will be shared with security services. Holidaymakers arriving in Spain will have to hand over an extensive amount of personal data to their hotel under stringent new rules.
Despite hotels in the country already requesting tourists’ passport or ID card information, the latest regulations are set to go a step further and require collection of up to 42 pieces of personal data. Hotels are already using the new system, but it has yet to be used over the busy summer season, which could leave guests waiting longer to check-in.
The new rules have been blasted by hoteliers, including the Spanish tourist property group, CEHAT, who argue it puts an “unreasonable” burden on small businesses: “This Royal Decree infringes upon fundamental privacy rights and is contrary to several EU directives, which is why CEHAT asserts that compliance is impossible due to the risk it poses to establishments being subject to lawsuits from travellers,” it said in a statement, adding it is prepared to take the matter to court.
Automation could make it quicker to get through the airport (Image: Getty)
2. Automation at the border
Meanwhile, tourists visiting the EU in 2025 will face another significant border change. The EU’s new Entry and Exit System (EES) is expected to launch in the first half of 2025 and will be used to register non-EU visitors – including UK tourists – whenever they enter or leave the bloc’s external borders using an automated IT system.
The border entry process will include a new system that will log travellers’ details, including name, travel document type, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), as well as the date and place of entry and exit.
The innovative system will also keep track of any entry refusals, replacing the outdated method of manually stamping passports which is not only slow but also lacks reliable data on border crossings and makes it harder to catch overstayers.
In addition, the system aims to increase the use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, promising a faster and smoother experience for travellers.
3. Golden visas scrapped
Meanwhile, Spain is gearing up to say adios to its “golden visa” scheme this spring, in an effort to address the country’s soaring housing crisis. Since 2013, the programme has granted residency rights to non-EU nationals who invest significantly in Spanish property.
Currently, foreigners can obtain a renewable residence permit by investing at least €500,000 (£420,405) in Spanish real estate without a mortgage, allowing them to live and work in Spain for an initial three-year period.
Golden visas, which can be renewed every five years given “the right conditions are met”, will soon be a thing of the past in Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared an end to new applications post-3 April 2025.
In his speech, Mr Sanchez pointed out the problematic nature of these visas: “Today, 94 out of every 100 such visas are linked to real estate investment… in major cities that are facing a highly stressed market and where it’s almost impossible to find decent housing for those who already live, work and pay their taxes there.”
Visitors may have to pay higher tourist taxes on check-in (Image: Getty)
4. Tourist tax rises
Holidaymakers heading to Spain should brace for increased tourist taxes as popular destinations like Asturias, Galicia, Tenerife, Alicante, and Seville prepare to hike fees in 2025. The tax is typically paid upon accommodation check-in.
In Gran Canaria’s Mogan, an overnight charge has been introduced this month, setting tourists back €0.15 per person each day. Announced last month, local officials have pledged to funnel the proceeds back into the tourism sector.
Mogan’s mayor, Onalia Bueno, speaking in December 2024, made it clear, saying: “The tourists who stay in the municipality contribute to paying what proportionally corresponds to them for the services and activities they enjoy during their stay. Under no circumstances do we want the residents to assume all the tax pressure through an increase in rates.”
5. Clampdown on holiday rentals
Malaga is taking a tough stance on rental properties, implementing a complete halt to new rentals in 43 neighbourhoods where they exceed 8% of the housing stock. The three-year trial began this month.
Furthermore, Barcelona is setting its sights on getting rid of all 10,000 licensed short-term rentals over time to save housing for its permanent residents, with a complete ban on short-term tourist apartments set for 2028.
Foreigners looking to buy a holiday home in Spain could face hefty taxes (Image: Getty)
6. 100% property tax for non-residents
In a bold move to tackle the housing crisis, Spain’s Prime Minister has unveiled plans for a hefty 100% tax on property sales to foreigners. His objective is crystal clear – to reserve Spanish housing for its citizens and productive newcomers, saying: “Spain’s housing should be for Spanish people to live in, as well as for migrants who come here to work and build a life and contribute to the development and prosperity of our country.”
However, these ambitious proposals hang in the balance as they await parliamentary approval, and Sanchez has previously had trouble passing bills due to a lack of majority.
7. Car hire check-in could also take longer
Prepare for car hire processes to become even more time-consuming. Brits planning to hire a car in Spain should brace for longer check-in times, with additional paperwork and ID copies likely required, similar to the new rules at hotels. To streamline the process, some rental companies are offering online form completion prior to arrival.
Cruise ship restrictions could see operators avoiding Spain (Image: Getty)
8. Cruise ship itineraries could be changed
Spain’s popular cruise destinations are facing potential restrictions, with Ibiza and Majorca announcing plans in 2024 to limit cruise ship numbers and increase fees. Barcelona has already relocated its overcrowded cruise port further south, while other cities consider measures like extra taxes or size limits on ships.
Cruise lines may have to alter their routes to sidestep Spanish ports as a result. Marie-Caroline Laurent, European Director of CLIA, told Reuters: “There will be some consideration of adapting the itineraries if for some reason we feel that all passengers will not be well-treated.”
9. Access to popular attractions could be restricted
In 2025, tourists might struggle to visit top Spanish attractions due to efforts to combat overcrowding. Tenerife has already prohibited tourist buses from Anaga Rural Park starting January, to protect the mountainous region’s delicate ecosystem.
The renowned Plaza de Espana in Seville is set to introduce a nominal entry fee for tourists, with the proceeds going towards the maintenance and conservation of the historic landmark. However, residents will still enjoy free access. The pretty Menorcan village of Binibeca Vell has placed a restriction on tourists during certain hours, although they stopped short of voting for an outright ban.
