Spanish air bnb host requesting passport details

[Jen]

Hello, we've not used air bnb before but have just booked an apartment, now the host is asking for our passport details (we're UK citizens so don't have national ID cards) - is this usual/safe?  Also, if we do provide those details, do they go to him personally or to him via air bnb?

[Jen]

Apartment and host are both in Spain

[Mark]

@Jen  My understanding is that several EU countries now require airbnb hosts to get these details and then pass them on to some local authority, although I think most take the info. upon arrival and not beforehand.

[Gerry And Rashid]

@Jen

You may be surprised to hear that it’s a requirement in Spain to carry your passport (or official ID) with you - even if you come from another EU country. We had a stand up and very loud argument with a policeman at Grenada rail station who stopped 3 of us as we got off the train. We thought HE was in the wrong so after a lot of shouting we walked away - luckily he gave up. So....hosts are meant to take passport details - not all do - really depends on where you are in Spain I think.