Your Spanish news round-up for this autumn: the EU entry/exit system, new regulations for Airbnbs, and the introduction of regional flight routes.
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EU’s new entry/exit system to start in November
After rumours circulating that the EU’s new entry/exit system was to be further postponed, the EU Commission says that it remains committed to a November start date. It is likely to be 10th November but may be pushed back to the 17th. France, Germany and the Netherlands had reported trouble implementing the process.
The EES system will apply to all non-Europeans, including British people. It is similar to the American entry system and requires completing online forms before travel and paying a fee of €10. Then border guards will take photos and fingerprints.
Please note: British residents in Spain will not be part of the new entry/exit system as they are not required to only stay in Europe for 90 out of 180 days.
Find out more about the new entry/exit system here.
New regulations for an Airbnbs & hotels
Holiday home owners will now need to collect seventeen pieces of information from guests.
The Spanish government has instigated new rules for registering hotel and holiday let guests. Under these, 17 pieces of information must be collected by hotels and holiday rentals for all the people staying over the age of 14. It is a long list:
- First name and surname
- Sex
- Passport or identity document number
- Type of document
- Nationality
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Region or province
- Country
- Telephone number
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Number of people travelling together
- Relationship between members of a group and minors
The hotel and tourism industries are warning that this will inevitably increase the cost of accommodation to the traveller as the information required will result in extra administrative procedures. Originally to have been launched on 1st October, it has now been postponed until 1st December 2024.
There is also the question of “incompatibility” with EU laws on data protection. The Spanish government argues that with millions of people coming to Spain every year, the new rules will make the country safer.
Flying to Spain: new regional routes
Norwich is a small airport but since Easter you can fly from there to Alicante. It hasn’t been particularly well publicised but has proven to be popular and this route will continue this winter.
A spokesman for Ryanair said “We are pleased to announce our first-ever winter schedule at Norwich which will see the extension of our popular Alicante route into the winter 2024 season. We’ve had a strong first summer of operations at Norwich and we look forward to a strong first winter season ahead.”
Ryanair has announced five new regional bases in Spain, Las Palmas, Menorca, Zaragoza, Reus and Fuerteventura. However, Aena, the Spanish airport management, has increased its landing fees by 0.05%, which according to Ryanair would make the 5 new bases unviable. For passengers who would use these hubs, it is a question of “wait and see”.
Storms
The country experienced some damage due to a recent storm and there are warnings that the remnants of Hurricane Kirk, which has devastated parts of the United States, will reach Spain this week. Therefore, more high winds and rain, especially in the south and west but also in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Aragon and Castilla-La Mancha.
Autumn storms are not unusual but recently they have brought stronger winds in particular. Most of the world is experiencing climate change and Spain is no exception. However, generally speaking, the country doesn’t experience the worst weather too often. Temperatures last week in the south were in the high 20°Cs and in the northeast, the low 20°Cs.
A chance for a familiar bites: Marks & Spencer’s new store
After quitting Spain’s capital city in 2001, British retailer, Marks & Spencer is opening a new store in Madrid’s Vaguada Shopping Centre.
Since 2009, it has had a store in Marbella’s La Canada shopping centre. There four outlets which are franchises in the Canary Islands.
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