On March 23, 2023, Decree 19/2023, of March 15, entered into force, regulating hotel establishments in the Autonomous Region of Madrid. It was published in the Official Gazette of the Autonomous Region of Madrid on March 22, 2023.
The new decree, which updates the regulations governing hotel establishments and replaces Decree 159/2003, introduces developments of interest for companies in the sector, namely: (i) it replaces the former authorization system with the requirement to submit a statement of compliance, as already provided under Act 1/1999, of March 12; (ii) it increases flexibility as to basic requirements in terms of the establishments’ classification and category, and brings them up to date, including free and mandatory wifi for guests in all rooms, while also laying down further requirements on accessible rooms; (iii) it imposes new rules on prices and means of payment; (iv) it establishes that the length of stay will be the number of nights freely agreed by the parties at the time of booking; and (v) it removes or increases flexibility as to certain basic requirements in terms of the establishments’ classification and category.