Reference translation
This page is a courtesy translation. The Spanish version is the authoritative reference.
Penalties under RD 933/2021
Royal Decree 933/2021 establishes the duty to submit guest reports, but it does not set the fines directly. The applicable penalty regime is Organic Law 4/2015, of 30 March, on the protection of public safety.
INFO
This page is an informational reference. The final classification and amount of a penalty is determined by the competent authority in each case.
Primary classification
Article 37.3 of LO 4/2015 classifies as a minor offense:
"Omission or inaccuracy of the submission to the Registry of the data referred to in the public-safety regulations in relation to travellers and persons staying at accommodation establishments."
Failure to submit — or submitting with errors — the guest report falls, by default, under this provision.
Amounts by severity
| Severity | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | €100 | €600 |
| Serious | €601 | €30,000 |
| Very serious | €30,001 | €600,000 |
Within each tier there are grades (minimum, medium, maximum) that the authority applies by weighing intent, damage caused, financial capacity, and repeat offenses.
Escalation to serious or very serious
The classification can be elevated when aggravating circumstances concur:
- Repeat non-compliance not corrected.
- Significant volume of omitted submissions.
- Deliberate concealment or alteration of data.
- Obstruction of the inspection authority.
Applicable reductions
The general administrative penalty procedure allows:
- 20% reduction for voluntary acknowledgement of responsibility.
- 20% reduction for early payment.
Both reductions can be combined in some cases.
Competent bodies
| Territory | Authority |
|---|---|
| Most Spanish regions | Ministry of the Interior (DGP / Guardia Civil) |
| Catalonia | Competent department + Mossos d'Esquadra |
| Basque Country | Department of Security + Ertzaintza |
Scenarios that end in a penalty
- OTA reservations (Booking, Airbnb) without a submitted report, detected via data cross-checks.
- Late submissions (more than 24 hours after the start of the stay).
- Incomplete or incorrect data (missing second surname, support number, kinship).
- Cancellations not communicated after the report was submitted.
- Properties not registered as an establishment in SES.HOSPEDAJES.
Operational mitigation
- SES credentials configured and verified.
- iCal import active so OTA reservations aren't missed.
- Validate and submit within the 24-hour window from check-in.
- Immutable audit log available as evidence of due diligence.
References
- Royal Decree 933/2021 — Spanish Official Gazette (BOE)
- Organic Law 4/2015 — BOE
- What is RD 933/2021 — blog
- Penalties: extended analysis — blog
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace professional legal advice.