SES Hospedajes mandatory in 2026: what property owners need to know
A property owner in Benalmédena was fined €2,400 last month for three unregistered guests. That kind of thing used to slide - not anymore. Spain is actively cross-referencing Airbnb and Booking.com data with SES Hospedajes records, and the fines are landing.
Anouar Zhaoui · 2026-01-15
What exactly is changing?
Since RD 933/2021, guest registration through SES Hospedajes has been mandatory for all tourist accommodation in Spain. But in practice, during 2022-2024, enforcement was minimal and many property owners on the Costa del Sol operated without registering guests.
That has changed dramatically in 2026:
Key enforcement changes in 2026
• Active data cross-checks - The Agencia Tributaria (Spanish tax authority) now receives quarterly data from Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO. These are cross-referenced with SES registrations to identify properties with unregistered guests • Coordinated inspections - The Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil and Junta de Andalucía are conducting joint inspections in tourist hotspots along the Costa del Sol, particularly in Málaga, Marbella and Benalmádena • First fines issued - Property owners across the Costa del Sol have already received fines for non-compliance. The enforcement machinery is now fully operational Read our full SES Hospedajes guide for property owners for all the details on compliance requirements.What data do you need to submit?
Since December 2024, the data requirements have been expanded to a maximum of 21 fields per guest. The mandatory fields are:
This applies to all guests over 14 years of age. The registration must be submitted within 24 hours of the guest's arrival. The expanded data requirements mean that manual registration is now significantly more time-consuming than before, making automation practically essential for anyone managing multiple bookings.
Required guest data fields
| Data field | Required |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yes |
| Date of birth | Yes |
| Nationality | Yes |
| Passport / ID number | Yes |
| Arrival and departure dates | Yes |
| Home address | Yes (new) |
| Phone number | Yes (new) |
| Email address | Yes (new) |
| Payment method | Yes (new) |
Compliance timeline: key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 2021 | Publication of RD 933/2021 in the BOE (Official State Gazette) |
| Dec 2024 | Expansion of mandatory fields (21 data points per guest) |
| Jul 2025 | NRA number becomes mandatory; platforms start requiring registration numbers on listings |
| Jan 2026 | Active cross-referencing of platform data with SES registrations begins |
| 2026 onwards | Coordinated inspections and effective enforcement across the Costa del Sol |
The fines: 600 to 30,000 euros
The penalties for non-compliance with SES Hospedajes are regulated in the Ley Orgánica 4/2015 (Citizen Security Law) and RD 933/2021 itself:
• Minor offence: €100 - €600 per guest (e.g. late registration, incomplete data)
• Serious offence: €601 - €30,000 (e.g. not registering guests at all)
• Very serious offence: up to €600,000 (e.g. systematic non-compliance, obstruction of inspections)
Consequences of repeated violations
In the case of repeat offences, the authorities can take additional measures: revoking your VFT license (Vivienda con Fines Turísticos), requesting that platforms remove your listings, and initiating additional tax proceedings through the Agencia Tributaria. The financial impact of a single serious fine can easily wipe out an entire season's rental income.How to automate this
With KeyLessCosta, SES Hospedajes compliance is completely automatic:
- Guest receives a registration link - Automatically sent when the booking is confirmed
- Uploads their passport or ID - Our software reads the data using OCR technology
- Data is verified and completed with the booking information
- Automatic submission to SES Hospedajes - Within the legal 24-hour deadline
- You receive a confirmation by email with the submission receipt
Full integration with your rental workflow
Our system plugs directly into your check-in automation workflow: smart lock access codes, guest communication in their language, and a centralised management dashboard. One owner in Marbella told us he sits in his Amsterdam office on a Tuesday while guests check into his Fuengirola apartment - without him sending a single message.Frequently asked questions
- What happens if I don't register my guests?
- You risk fines from €600 to €30,000 and potential revocation of your rental license. Read more on the official RD 933/2021 text on BOE.es.
- Where do I find the SES Hospedajes portal?
- The official portal is available through the Spanish National Police website. KeyLessCosta submits registrations automatically, so you never need to access the portal yourself. If you run into issues, see our SES Hospedajes troubleshooting guide.
- Does this apply to non-resident owners?
- Yes, the registration requirement applies to all landlords regardless of nationality or residence. If you manage your property remotely from the UK, Netherlands, Germany or elsewhere, automation is essential to stay compliant.
- What if my guest doesn't have a passport?
- EU citizens can register with a national ID card (DNI). Non-EU citizens need a passport.
- How quickly must registration happen?
- Within 24 hours of the guest's arrival. With KeyLessCosta, this happens automatically when the guest completes the registration form, usually before arrival.
- Do I also need an NRA number?
- Yes, since July 2025 the NRA number (Número de Registro de Alquiler) is mandatory. Without it, Airbnb and Booking.com will deactivate your listing. SES Hospedajes and NRA are independent but complementary requirements.
- Can I still register guests manually?
- Technically yes, through the SES portal. But with 21 data fields per guest and a 24-hour deadline, manual registration is impractical for most owners. A single missed registration can result in a €600+ fine.
Málaga, Andalucía 29001, Spain
+31 6 18 28 40 11 (WhatsApp)
keylesscosta@gmail.com