Real Decreto 933/2021: Guest Registration in Spain

Spain's Real Decreto 933/2021 is a legal requirement that affects all property hosts with listings in Spain. This regulation requires the collection and reporting of guest information to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior to enhance security and prevent criminal activities within the vacation rental sector. As a host on Holidu, understanding this decree and your compliance obligations is essential to avoid potential fines.

Understanding Real Decreto 933/2021

What is Real Decreto 933/2021?

Real Decreto 933/2021 is a Spanish national law designed to improve security and monitor accommodation usage across the vacation rental industry. Under this regulation, both individual hosts and intermediary platforms like Holidu must collect and report specific guest and booking information to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior via the SES Hospedajes platform.

When Did This Law Come Into Effect?

The law came into force on January 2, 2023, with a transition period that ended on October 1, 2024. Since October 2024, full compliance is mandatory. Non-compliance or late submissions can result in fines ranging from €100 to €200,000, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Penalty Structure for Non-Compliance

Understanding the potential financial consequences helps motivate timely compliance:

• Minor infraction: €100 to €600
• Serious infraction: €601 to €30,000
• Very serious infraction: €30,001 to €200,000

How This Decree Affects You as a Host

Do I Need to Comply If My Property Is in Spain?

Yes. This regulation applies to all properties located in Spain, regardless of your residency status or nationality. If you have a listing in Spain on Holidu, you must comply with Real Decreto 933/2021.

What Guest Information Must I Collect and Report?

You must gather and report mandatory guest details for every booking. This information includes:

• Full names of all guests
• Date of birth
• Residency address
• Contact details (phone number or email address)
• ID type and number (for all adults)
• Spanish ID number (NIF or NIE) where applicable
• Relationship to minors (when children are present)

Additionally, you must provide property and booking details, which Holidu automatically collects and reports.

When Must I Submit This Information?

Guest information must be reported within 24 hours after each check-in. Holidu's online check-in feature automates this process by collecting guest data and submitting it to authorities by 11:00 PM on the check-in day.

How Holidu Helps You Comply

What Is Holidu's Online Check-in Feature?

Holidu's online check-in feature simplifies your compliance with Real Decreto 933/2021 by automating guest data collection and submission to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. Guests receive an online check-in form via email where they provide required personal information. Holidu then securely transmits this data to SES Hospedajes or the relevant regional authority on your behalf.

What Steps Must I Follow to Enable Online Check-in Through Holidu?

Follow these steps to activate and use Holidu's online check-in feature:

1. Register on the SES Hospedajes platform by visiting the official Spanish Ministry of the Interior website at https://sede.mir.gob.es.
2. Select "Hospedajes y alquiler de vehículos" and access the "Register of HOSPEDAJES establishments and entities".
3. During registration, ensure you select "Send communications via webservice" to enable automated reporting.
4. Log in to your Holidu account and activate the Guest Online Check-in feature.
5. Select your relevant reporting authority (SES Hospedajes, Mossos d'Esquadra for Catalonia, or Ertzaintza for the Basque Country).
6. Enter your login credentials from SES Hospedajes or the applicable regional platform.

Once configured, Holidu handles the submission automatically. However, you remain responsible for ensuring all guest information is complete and accurate before submission.

What Happens If a Booking Is Cancelled After Being Reported?

If a non-refundable booking is later cancelled, Holidu will update the SES Hospedajes platform to cancel or withdraw the previously reported booking information. This ensures that your records remain accurate with authorities.

Can I Access a List of Reported Bookings?

While Holidu does not provide a direct downloadable list of reported bookings, you can verify reported information by checking your confirmed and non-refundable bookings in your Holidu account. These are the bookings that have been submitted to authorities.

Important Reminders and Best Practices

Is Online Check-in Activation Sufficient for Compliance?

Activating the online check-in feature is an important first step, but you must ensure proper setup. Confirm that you have:

• Selected the correct reporting authority (SES Hospedajes, Mossos d'Esquadra, or Ertzaintza)
• Provided accurate login credentials from your SES Hospedajes account or regional platform
• Checked the "Send communications via webservice" option on SES Hospedajes

If any of these steps are incomplete, guest data may not be submitted correctly, resulting in compliance issues.

Do I Still Need to Verify Guest Details?

Yes. Even though Holidu automates the submission process, you remain responsible for ensuring all guest information is accurate and complete. Review guest responses to the online check-in form and collect any missing information directly from guests during check-in. Incomplete submissions could result in fines.

Does Regional Variation Apply?

Yes. While SES Hospedajes is the primary reporting platform, Catalonia and the Basque Country have their own systems: Mossos d'Esquadra and Ertzaintza, respectively. When setting up online check-in on Holidu, select the authority that corresponds to your property's location.

Additional Resources and Official Documentation

For comprehensive information about Real Decreto 933/2021, consult these official government sources:

• Official BOE publication of Real Decreto 933/2021 — The complete legal text of the decree.
• Official BOE publication BOE-A-2015-3442, Article 39 — Related regulations on data collection and retention.
• Holidu's Complete Guide to Guest Online Check-in — Step-by-step instructions for using Holidu's online check-in feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Real Decreto 933/2021?

A: Real Decreto 933/2021 is a Spanish law requiring hosts and platforms to collect and report guest information to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior to enhance security within the vacation rental sector.

Q: When did this law come into effect?

A: The law came into force on January 2, 2023, with a transition period ending October 1, 2024. Full compliance is now mandatory.

Q: What are the penalties for non-compliance?

A: Fines range from €100 to €200,000, depending on whether the infraction is minor, serious, or very serious.

Q: Does this apply to all hosts in Spain?

A: Yes. This regulation applies to all properties located in Spain, regardless of the host's residency or nationality.

Q: What guest information do I need to collect?

A: You must collect full names, dates of birth, residency addresses, contact details, ID types and numbers, Spanish ID numbers where applicable, and the relationship to minors when children are present.

Q: How does Holidu help me comply?

A: Holidu's online check-in feature automates guest data collection and submission to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior via SES Hospedajes or regional authorities within 24 hours of check-in.

Q: How do I activate Holidu's online check-in feature?

A: Register on SES Hospedajes, select "Send communications via webservice," activate online check-in in your Holidu account, select your reporting authority, and enter your SES Hospedajes credentials.

Q: What happens if a booking is cancelled after being reported?

A: Holidu will update SES Hospedajes to cancel or withdraw the previously reported booking information.

Q: Am I responsible for verifying guest information?

A: Yes. You must ensure all guest information is accurate and complete before submission. Holidu automates the process, but you remain responsible for compliance.

Q: Where can I find official information about this decree?

A: Visit the official BOE website for the complete legal text, or contact the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. Holidu also provides a complete guide to the online check-in feature.