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Spain's new law (Royal Decree 933/2021) - re personal information at lodging

Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances April 2022,
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
I am not sure why you would hesitate coming? What information are you concerned about giving them. If you use a company like booking.com they will provide most of that information as understand it? .
I do use Booking.com and I know they have my CC info and also when arrive at the places I stay, they make copies of my Passport, but it seems that this new law is asking for much more. Am I mistaken and perhaps a bit intimidated by this new law?
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Suggest you go with your camino plans, and not be too concerned about your data. I would be proactive about monitoring your credit reports periodically. And I always ask my CC companys for new cards after using the on an international trip. I tend to stay at hotels or private places and they take most of this data anyway.
 
Suggest you go with your camino plans, and not be too concerned about your data. I would be proactive about monitoring your credit reports periodically. And I always ask my CC companys for new cards after using the on an international trip. I tend to stay at hotels or private places and they take most of this data anyway.
Seriously - you swap any credit card you’ve used on an international trip?

Why?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I’ll bang on on this until I get bored. Then I’ll stop.
You use the internet; you have a mobile phone; you use banks and credit cards; you use tap&go; you use Farcebook, Berking.con, Instagrab, you pay local property taxes, are a library card holder…

Your personal and private data is already available to anyone that wants it bad enough to put the effort into collating it.

You’ve probably already published your favourite coffee bar / restaurant / pub. You’ll have put up a dozen pictures of your so kidnappable pet, or worse, your children. You’ll have raised your health concerns that any insurer can find with a simple search when they seek to refuse a claim. Anyone who has watched a movie with Tom Cruise in it knows how easy it is, unless, of course, they thought it was just a movie. And, of course, your streaming provider knows exactly what movies you like to watch and can feed your needs even when you didn’t know you had them.

And, please remember that just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you 😉
 
I'm with @Tincatinker, @Marbe2 and @henrythedog on this. It doesn't seem to me to be a good reason not to travel to Spain. Someone more knowledgeable about EU data protection laws might explain what protection they give. Any collection tools will have to comply with those, and any additional protections included in the law. It appears that these are pretty strong protections, certainly more robust than many places outside of the EU.
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
I'm not concerned. One of my CCs is from Wise, so I get a notification on my phone app every time money goes in or out. I'd freeze the card quickly if there were transactions happening that shouldn't be. I normally travel with a 3 different CCs and enough cash - just in case. The same cards have been re-used for travel, I've never had any incidents.

As for identity fraud, the best way to minimise that is to avoid social media 🤷‍♂️

I've seen users on here post images that include their passport numbers, full names and addresses 😲. I would implore users to espcially avoid doing that on public Facebook posts.
 
Suggest you go with your camino plans, and not be too concerned about your data. I would be proactive about monitoring your credit reports periodically. And I always ask my CC companys for new cards after using the on an international trip. I tend to stay at hotels or private places and they take most of this data anyway.

I've never asked my Bank for 'new' cards, but I tend to take 2-3 just in case of problems.
I have to say the fraud protection by the banks we use here in Australia is really good in our experience at least.

I even had a call that went..........

Bank. Are you in Manila?
Me. No.
Bank. So you didn't just buy a diamond ring valued at $5.000?
Me. No!
Bank. Don't worry, we didn't approve the transaction, as it was did not fit your normal spending profile.

I now also tell my bank of my travel plans. with dates and countries.

One lesson I learned last year though.

How do you contact your bank when overseas?
And how do you 'approve' payments that they might hold until you confirm they are legit.

I had my phone set to SMS messaging for such things.
Of course with a Spanish SIM card this didn't work.
(though I had my home SIM with me, just not in the phone)
So on calling the bank, they switched the approval process for me.
I can now do it through the phone app.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?
Doesn't worry me.
I'm sure booking dot com, Amazon and half a dozen others already have more information on me.
 
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?

I think you'll be staying home alot as what's now in place in Spain is in place pretty much everywhere, if you're not confining yourself to free-camping or couch-surfing at friends' places. It's not a big deal. And as @Tincatinker so brilliantly put it, your stuff is already out there.....everywhere. Just keep enjoying your life and your travels....and many more Buen Caminos!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
The security offered by the newer tap and go credit cards is only as good as the distance you are standing away from the scanner you about to use. User beware.
The main layer of security with these cards is that there's typically a fairly low limit to how much you (or someone else) can use them that way before needing to physically slot the card and punch in your PIN.

More importantly, take care to always eyeball what they're asking before -- as even in trustworthy locations, such as a local shop where you live, simple mistakes can be made by cash register employees. In Touristlandia, more careful eyeballing will help prevent attempts at some more deliberate fraud, especially I'd say on some Italian Cammino Ways.
 
Many countries have similiar measures, e.g., UK.

I'm more concerned about how the data collectors, government departments, albergues, booking dot com, etc., secure the data kept in their systems, which contain information that can be used for identity theft.
 
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I'm more concerned about how the data collectors, government departments, albergues, booking dot com, etc., secure the data kept in their systems, which contain information that can be used for identity theft.
As a retired Head of Governance of a large government department I can answer that with some authority. Badly.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
I’ll bang on on this until I get bored. Then I’ll stop.
You use the internet; you have a mobile phone; you use banks and credit cards; you use tap&go; you use Farcebook, Berking.con, Instagrab, you pay local property taxes, are a library card holder…

Your personal and private data is already available to anyone that wants it bad enough to put the effort into collating it.

You’ve probably already published your favourite coffee bar / restaurant / pub. You’ll have put up a dozen pictures of your so kidnappable pet, or worse, your children. You’ll have raised your health concerns that any insurer can find with a simple search when they seek to refuse a claim. Anyone who has watched a movie with Tom Cruise in it knows how easy it is, unless, of course, they thought it was just a movie. And, of course, your streaming provider knows exactly what movies you like to watch and can feed your needs even when you didn’t know you had them.

And, please remember that just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you 😉
I work IT for a living. and agreed with all of the above. consider this. I use Alexa across my house, for ease of lights, stereo, etc... i can sit and chat with a friend about a certain subject, say scuba diving, and mention a few places. suddenly? my iPhone starts getting its web browser full of scuba trips to XXXX place... my google news feed suddenly does the same. so yes, they do listen. and usually? just to sell you something. but if a nefarious group with resources focuses on you? you are going to have a bad day. your data is already there, and most of it readily available. if you want an example, go to a site called "fast people search" the amount of data you can get from just knowing a name and a state? is unnerving. So do consider what you post on the internet....
 
I’m notoriously dim.

Could you explain further Don as I (and perhaps only I) don’t understand.
a nefarious person can intercept those wireless signals going from credit card to reader. I recommend you use the chip reader instead of the swipe. it is very unlikely that you will run into someone with that kind of technology walking the Camino, but? it only takes once to have a bad day.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?
Nah... adventure waits... and I cannot resist the call!!! lol... no, I gave up on worrying about my data being available. there are enough security measures in place that I won't lose much if anything, but the banks will. and I don't think I will shed a single tear for the banks losing money if they cannot keep our data secure... lol
 
a nefarious person can intercept those wireless signals going from credit card to reader. I recommend you use the chip reader instead of the swipe. it is very unlikely that you will run into someone with that kind of technology walking the Camino, but? it only takes once to have a bad day.
Henry, I think this sums it up well. I had a newer card on a recent trip and used it to purchase meals, etc., If it is anywhere near the card reader it instantly records the sale and extracts your funds. It is quite a worry because in one case I got my wallet out to pay cash and before I could pull the notes out it was already reading my card information which in my wallet near the notes.
 
a nefarious person can intercept those wireless signals going from credit card to reader. I recommend you use the chip reader instead of the swipe. it is very unlikely that you will run into someone with that kind of technology walking the Camino, but? it only takes once to have a bad day.

It’s only been seven years; but you may well get to nominate a charity to receive my long-offered £50 donation in your name.

All it takes is a link to a credible (investigated by the cops and found true) report of anyone outside laboratory conditions committing a crime by remotely accessing the chip on a credit card.

All I’ve ever seen are adverts for (IMHO) utterly pointless RFID wallets and stories from the friend of someone’s hairdressers cousin.

Post a link and your nominated charity. I’ll post the receipt.
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Henry, I think this sums it up well. I had a newer card on a recent trip and used it to purchase meals, etc., If it is anywhere near the card reader it instantly records the sale and extracts your funds. It is quite a worry because in one case I got my wallet out to pay cash and before I could pull the notes out it was already reading my card information which in my wallet near the notes.
Fair point - that is feasible. I have heard anecdotes of people using cards to tap into and out of e.g. subway stations having issues if they have more than one card in their wallet - but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything definitive.
 
It’s only been seven years; but you may well get to nominate a charity to receive my long-offered £50 donation in your name.

All it takes is a link to a credible (investigated by the cops and found true) report of anyone outside laboratory conditions committing a crime by remotely accessing the chip on a credit card.

All I’ve ever seen are adverts for (IMHO) utterly pointless RFID wallets and stories from the friend of someone’s hairdressers cousin.

Post a link and your nominated charity. I’ll post the receipt.
Agreed, likelihood is at about zero. note I don't use RFID blockers, etc... usually the skim is from a device implanted on say the ATM. and unless you have the tech to unencrypt it? good luck using it. however have heard of some establishments not having encryption enabled on their readers. not sure that is even possible anymore.
 
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?
I wonder how many other people (besides me) are giving second thoughts to walking the Camino in Spain because of all the new information needed to submit under the new law for entry that became effective Dec 2?
Do you go out for dinner in the States and when they bring your check you hand the waitress your credit card? That doesn't scare you? In Spain your credit card never leaves your sight or hand.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Henry, I think this sums it up well. I had a newer card on a recent trip and used it to purchase meals, etc., If it is anywhere near the card reader it instantly records the sale and extracts your funds. It is quite a worry because in one case I got my wallet out to pay cash and before I could pull the notes out it was already reading my card information which in my wallet near the notes.
I had coffee at a major coffee chain with a friend here in Calgary which I paid for with a credit card, then went for a window-shopping stroll past numerous stores and small businesses. By the time I got home less than an hour later and checked my CC account online, I had magically purchased $600 of advertising on g**gle, and $2,000 worth of cigars from Mauritius. Just as I was about to call my bank, the phone rang. It was the bank's security department checking with me on these purchases. Ever since then (ca. 2014) I have used RFID sleeve for my credit cards, and never had another issue. I try to use cash when on the Camino for most things including meals and accommodation, except of course rooms booked on-line. ;)
 
As a retired Head of Governance of a large government department I can answer that with some authority. Badly.
My daughter works in information management at a local authority and she spends half her time managing data breaches. It's amazing how stupid people can be.

At some point in the future, there will be a massive data hack and loads of sensitive data will get captured. Then the powers that be might reconsider a few things.
 
My daughter works in information management at a local authority and she spends half her time managing data breeches. It's amazing how stupid people can be.
Does she wear the pants in her house as well?
At some point in the future, there will be a massive data hack and loads of sensitive data will get captured. Then the powers that be might reconsider a few things.
That's almost like forecasting that the sun will rise in the morning. It happens regularly enough now because there is money to be made one way or another from having access to governments', businesses' and individuals' private and sensitive information. I'm not sure what you think needs to be reconsidered here, but I suspect those involved in this, like your daughter, work pretty hard at getting it right, and doing it better when breaches do occur.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Agreed, likelihood is at about zero. note I don't use RFID blockers, etc... usually the skim is from a device implanted on say the ATM. and unless you have the tech to unencrypt it? good luck using it. however have heard of some establishments not having encryption enabled on their readers. not sure that is even possible anymore.
I got skimmed by precisely that 20 years ago when these things were in their infancy. A dummy card-reader and camera on an ATM, so it captured my PIN also. My bank were sceptical for about 24 hours until many other reports were made - all of which had used the compromised ATM. Since then - whilst I still rail against RFID wallets; I do have a good look at ATMs and, to the extent that I can conceal the keypad whilst entering my PIN.
 
Does she wear the pants in her house as well?

That's almost like forecasting that the sun will rise in the morning. It happens regularly enough now because there is money to be made one way or another from having access to governments', businesses' and individuals' private and sensitive information. I'm not sure what you think needs to be reconsidered here, but I suspect those involved in this, like your daughter, work pretty hard at getting it right, and doing it better when breaches do occur.
You were quick off the mark. I spotted and altered it within a minute or two. Probably before you finished typing.
You're so smart you could probably cut yourself.

EDIT
General warning to non-British English speakers. 'Pants' in the UK refer to an undergarment. Making a joke asking whether a young woman wears pants will make you look like a creepy pervert and is very offensive..
 
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A selection of Camino Jewellery
I personally don't understand how this new law affects anything I've already done for the last 20 years.
I can trump that. As I’ve recounted in another, similar, thread my data was collected and retained and even, occasionally used to extract a monetary advantage way back in the 1960’s. Way before the internet, way before bot farms, way before “my voice is my password”.

What continues to astonish me is the innocence of so many “abroad”.

Avatars plucked at random from the ever helpful internet. A pocket full of cash and a little discretion in larger cities help me appear and disappear at will.

Meanwhile, all, do keep posting your holiday dates and enough data to let me track down your home address. It takes work to maintain a pocket full of cash 😉
 
Do you go out for dinner in the States and when they bring your check you hand the waitress your credit card? That doesn't scare you? In Spain your credit card never leaves your sight or hand.
@Scott Sweeney, you are right. Although my recollection was that when this occurred, one still had to sign a transaction slip of some form. With NFC and the deployment of handheld EFTPOS devices, I haven't seen this done recently, and certainly wouldn't agree to that. I am happy to walk to where the machine is if it cannot be brought to the table these days. Certainly in my recent travels (Australia, Europe, New Zealand) I haven't seen this older practice. Does it still happen in the US?
 
I can trump that. As I’ve recounted in another, similar, thread my data was collected and retained and even, occasionally used to extract a monetary advantage way back in the 1960’s. Way before the internet, way before bot farms, way before “my voice is my password”.

What continues to astonish me is the innocence of so many “abroad”.

Avatars plucked at random from the ever helpful internet. A pocket full of cash and a little discretion in larger cities help me appear and disappear at will.

Meanwhile, all, do keep posting your holiday dates and enough data to let me track down your home address. It takes work to maintain a pocket full of cash 😉
Tin, like usual it takes me 4 times to read what you wrote until I actually understand what you are saying.

The truth is nobody cares about me. I am law abiding, I don't overstay visas. I love to use my credit card because that just means more miles until the next "free" journey. Whatever.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
@Scott Sweeney, you are right. Although my recollection was that when this occurred, one still had to sign a transaction slip of some form. With NFC and the deployment of handheld EFTPOS devices, I haven't seen this done recently, and certainly wouldn't agree to that. I am happy to walk to where the machine is if it cannot be brought to the table these days. Certainly in my recent travels (Australia, Europe, New Zealand) I haven't seen this older practice. Does it still happen in the US?
I have been to the USA 3 or 4 times this year and yes it’s quite an unnerving process versus the European style ‘tap and go’ and not leaving your hand’.

Each and every time (let’s say 50 occasions), the bill arrives, you give the card to the bartender, or it may have been swiped already as a ‘tab’. The card is out of your sight and the ‘net tab’ is charged. Let’s say USD80. My phones ‘chings’ with the charge immediately. You then add the tip and fill it out on the physical paper bill, but the tip seems to be added later on as far as my card is concerned maybe 24-48 hrs! The card certainly disappears from view. Never been mischanged though! I guess the tipping in USA means you can’t tap and go.
 
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Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Do you go out for dinner in the States and when they bring your check you hand the waitress your credit card? That doesn't scare you? In Spain your credit card never leaves your sight or hand.
This is so true. Americans think nothing of handing a CC to a waitress. Talk about Point of Sale...this is Point of Theft. It's happened twice to me in the USA, but never a problem in seven Caminos. Now loss of one's passport is another tale for another day. :)
 
@Damien Reynolds Me too. I’m a very law abiding citizen. Comfortable bank balance, all taxes paid, legitimate passports and an Avios account. I’ve got comforting security clearance and still get called “sir” in appropriate circumstances. A wink really is as good as a nod to a blind horse.
Oh, and I do like to tease
Do you want to be friends?
 
This is so true. Americans think nothing of handing a CC to a waitress. Talk about Point of Sale...this is Point of Theft. It's happened twice to me in the USA, but never a problem in seven Caminos. Now loss of one's passport is another tale for another day. :)
ok, if we are calling out Americans... I am a sort of proud American, sort of. You know the only two times I've ever faced credit card fraud? 1) after Pamplona I got a notification of a $5300 stay at some German bed and breakfast. 2) this last year, after Pamplona I got charged about $1300 from Nigeria. It didn't scratch my back though.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
ok, if we are calling out Americans... I am a sort of proud American, sort of. You know the only two times I've ever faced credit card fraud? 1) after Pamplona I got a notification of a $5300 stay at some German bed and breakfast. 2) this last year, after Pamplona I got charged about $1300 from Nigeria. It didn't scratch my back though.
Like I said it's happened to me twice in the USA, and at least twice to my wife, but (fingers crossed) never in the EU. I take precautions by notifying my bank of foreign travel; they are vigilant.
 
Maybe the OP is concerned about financial data being collected by hotels, hostels etc. Most such organisations will currently use a payment service provider's (like their bank) Point of Sale system to capture card details; the hotel will not need to store the data (name, card no, expiry date, CVV code) as it is all kept securely by a regulated financial institution that is regularly audited for PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance.

The issue is if the new law insists on said hotel storing the card data for a number of years. This would be a new process and the PCI-DSS requirements (such as always encrypting data at rest) could be onerous for small hotels.

The most sensible way to protect oneself is to use a card that offers immediate notifications or simply replace the card after each trip. I once replaced a card after a shopkeeper in Italy disappeared with my card for two minutes; I had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing but I erred on the side of caution.There was an attempt to use my now-cancelled card number the next day in Asia.

I will be walking in Spain next year; but I will be keeping an eye on my phone for any unauthorised transactions. I use a bank that has a one-tap "freeze" function which instantly disables the card number - great for peace of mind!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Maybe the OP is concerned about financial data being collected by hotels, hostels etc. Most such organisations will currently use a payment service provider's (like their bank) Point of Sale system to capture card details; the hotel will not need to store the data (name, card no, expiry date, CVV code) as it is all kept securely by a regulated financial institution that is regularly audited for PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance.

The issue is if the new law insists on said hotel storing the card data for a number of years. This would be a new process and the PCI-DSS requirements (such as always encrypting data at rest) could be onerous for small hotels.

The most sensible way to protect oneself is to use a card that offers immediate notifications or simply replace the card after each trip. I once replaced a card after a shopkeeper in Italy disappeared with my card for two minutes; I had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing but I erred on the side of caution.There was an attempt to use my now-cancelled card number the next day in Asia.

I will be walking in Spain next year; but I will be keeping an eye on my phone for any unauthorised transactions. I use a bank that has a one-tap "freeze" function which instantly disables the card number - great for peace of mind!
Indeed. There is so much you can do on the app! Freezing your card being one. Limiting the ‘tap’ limit per transaction, and to ask for a PIN after a cumalative value of transactions is reached. The most recent one I have activated is to only allow transactions over a certain value if a) I am in a trusted location, or b) if it also approved by trusted friend. Oh and turn on facial recognition.
 
It is quite a worry because in one case I got my wallet out to pay cash and before I could pull the notes out it was already reading my card information which in my wallet near the notes.
Can you please explain what the reader will do when you have three such tap & go cards.
Which one will he take?
I guess a NFC reader has a communication protocol that communicates only with one device at one time.
 
This new law has made me reluctant to collect such data and pass it on to the authorities. As a hospitalera, I was generally asked to collect limited information about pilgrims and to keep it secure until and unless an official (police officer, etc.) requested it. In one albergue, such information had to be passed on electronically to the authorities. Given my limited skills, this was very time-consuming and I tried to get the other hospitalero to be responsible for it. With the new system, there might be others who would feel themselves unwilling or unable to be responsible for this as a hospitalero or to spend the necessary time doing it.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Can you please explain what the reader will do when you have three such tap & go cards.
Which one will he take?
I guess a NFC reader has a communication protocol that communicates only with one device at one time.
I have no clue. This was a touristic trip for me in September and the first trip to the Eurozone since 2019. It was a new tap and go debit card and fortunately for me I was only carrying one. I am not comfortable using debit cards much less ones that doesn't require a pin code.
 
This new law has made me reluctant to collect such data and pass it on to the authorities. As a hospitalera, I was generally asked to collect limited information about pilgrims and to keep it secure until and unless an official (police officer, etc.) requested it.
Will hospitalero/as be given a choice? It seems that all accommodation providers will need to comply with this law, albergues as well as others.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
This new law has made me reluctant to collect such data and pass it on to the authorities. As a hospitalera, I was generally asked to collect limited information about pilgrims and to keep it secure until and unless an official (police officer, etc.) requested it. In one albergue, such information had to be passed on electronically to the authorities.
Could you please share with us how this new law will affect you as a hospitalera? Is your time of serving as a hospitalera coming up soon and did you already receive some further information about this?

I've been following these forum threads about the Spanish decree 933/2021 for close to two years now since a forum member had alerted us to the new law for the first time but so far not a single volunteer hospitaler@ and not a single albergue owner has reported how things work out for them in practice now that the decree appears to have become mandatory.
 
Could you please share with us how this new law will affect you as a hospitalera? Is your time of serving as a hospitalera coming up soon and did you already receive some further information about this?

I've been following these forum threads about the Spanish decree 933/2021 for close to two years now since a forum member had alerted us to the new law for the first time but so far not a single volunteer hospitaler@ and not a single albergue owner has reported how things work out for them in practice now that the decree appears to have become mandatory.
I can only anticipate the duties which might be required of me in comparison with what was asked when I was previously a hospitalera. I have been asked whether I wish to sign in as a hospitalera for 2025 and have not yet replied. As I remember, whatever organization was in charge of wherever I was a hospitalera each year would ask me to get from each pilgrim who stayed for the night their basic information, from their pilgrim credencials, id cards and sometimes passports. But this procedure was not the same in all locations and I was not required to collect information about sources of funds with which pilgrims were paying for their bed. It was always in cash, so I did not need such information. I would rather not be required to collect it nor be responsible for it. And I would prefer not to pass on my banking information to every two week volunteer hospitalero. There would have to be significant security facilities to protect such information, and major changes required in donativo albergues. I may wait a year before my next camino, watching for information here on how this change goes and effects on pilgrims and hospitaleros.
 
Could you please share with us how this new law will affect you as a hospitalera? Is your time of serving as a hospitalera coming up soon and did you already receive some further information about this?

I've been following these forum threads about the Spanish decree 933/2021 for close to two years now since a forum member had alerted us to the new law for the first time but so far not a single volunteer hospitaler@ and not a single albergue owner has reported how things work out for them in practice now that the decree appears to have become mandatory.
Hosvol (Hospitaleros Voluntarios) is the main organisation coordinating the work of donativo albergues in Spain. We are their trainers in Australia and we have heard nothing about the new law from them, not even a mention in their bi-monthly boletín. So either they are hoping it won´t affect them or there may be something they know and are not telling. Since most donativos operate on a cash only basis (obviously) the new law may not affect them, they may even be exempt in some way, but in any case, I wouldn´t let it stop me volunteering. Albergues still need to be kept open.
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
@Scott Sweeney, you are right. Although my recollection was that when this occurred, one still had to sign a transaction slip of some form. With NFC and the deployment of handheld EFTPOS devices, I haven't seen this done recently, and certainly wouldn't agree to that. I am happy to walk to where the machine is if it cannot be brought to the table these days. Certainly in my recent travels (Australia, Europe, New Zealand) I haven't seen this older practice. Does it still happen in the US?
I occasionally went to a grocery store for my blind friend with her card, in the days when the card had to be handed to the cashier. I'm of the opposite gender, yet no one ever said "you don't look like an Elizabeth."
 
The truth is nobody cares about me. I am law abiding, I don't overstay visas. I love to use my credit card because that just means more miles until the next "free" journey. Whatever.
Criminals who think you have money care. And if you vote in USA, a lot of other people care.
 
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Never been mischanged though! I guess the tipping in USA means you can’t tap and go.
It took us a LONG time to catch up with the rest of the world with the chip and then the RFID. But today, most places have the tap and most restaurants bring you an electronic device for you to put in the tip yourself. I was only scammed once in the old days—used a card for dinner in Oklahoma, and later that day, it had an over $400 transaction in Virginia.
 
As a hospitalera, I was generally asked to collect limited information about pilgrims and to keep it secure until and unless an official (police officer, etc.) requested it. In one albergue, such information had to be passed on electronically to the authorities.
Those who did not enter it electronically had (I believe) to provide the paper version to the Guardía Civil within so many days. But I recently looked at the electronic form, and it did not ask for payment data. However, I checked today, and got notice that the Guardía Civil no longer operates that DB. Said that the required information had to be entered at another site. I do not have a password for that site, so I can't tell you what information is required.

I was told that the paper form had to be kept in case la Guardía asked for it. We also used it to enter the information later into the Guardía's database. I suspect that most peregrinos didn't know about the database.
 
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The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
It’s only been seven years; but you may well get to nominate a charity to receive my long-offered £50 donation in your name.

All it takes is a link to a credible (investigated by the cops and found true) report of anyone outside laboratory conditions committing a crime by remotely accessing the chip on a credit card.

All I’ve ever seen are adverts for (IMHO) utterly pointless RFID wallets and stories from the friend of someone’s hairdressers cousin.

Post a link and your nominated charity. I’ll post the receipt.
Well…it wasn’t investigated by cops, but…

I got off the plane in Philadelphia (quite a few years ago) and was waiting for my rental car shuttle. Swiped my card at the rental counter. So the credit card was physically in my possession the whole time. Got in the car and drove two hours to York.

I arrived to have several fraud messages from the credit card company. The card info had been skimmed, used to purchase food at two fast food joints in Texas, and attempt to pay for a hotel room in Canada (I forget where).

But…dealt with the credit card company, didn’t even think about calling police.
 
I just want to walk and not be paranoid. In my experience, any criminal behavior involving cc fraud is quickly resolved. On the voting thing, well what you said is just weird.
True on both counts. Though for the hatred and/or worship of certain politicians, “weird” is not a strong enough word.
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.

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