The Digital DNI comes into force on April 2, 2026

What happens to guest identification when the Digital DNI comes into force on April 2, 2026? Registration remains mandatory, but the physical document is no longer the only valid route in many cases. Your front desk needs a flow that accepts the digital document without slowing down check-in.

For hotels and tourist apartments in Spain, the change isn't only regulatory: it's operational. If today you copy the DNI on paper or ask for a photo by email, that process falls short. You need an online check-in that captures data, document and signature before arrival, and leaves the reservation ready for the front desk or autonomous access.

Hotelgest already works with automatic document reading, MiDNI QR scanning and facial comparison in the guest WebApp. The guest completes the process from their phone, without installing an app, and you receive the validated record in the PMS.

What should you check before April? Confirm that your PMS supports online check-in with a digital document, that the data reaches the reservation record without manual re-entry, and that you have a traceable record of consent and signature. If you manage several properties, the flow must be the same across all of them.

The advantage isn't just complying with the rules. A well-built digital check-in reduces queues at the front desk, anticipates document issues and leaves the team with more time for in-person service when it's needed.