Is it normal for an Ayahuasca retreat to ask for all this personal information?

[home123]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering joining an ayahuasca retreat in Spain and wanted to ask if this is normal.

I found this retreat through Retreat Guru, and it has many positive reviews. They also seem to have an active and well-maintained Instagram presence, so at first glance they appear legitimate.

However, during the registration process, they are asking for quite a lot of personal information, including:

Full name
Nationality
Date of birth
Home address
Passport number
Phone number
Email address
Emergency contact information

Is this standard practice for ayahuasca retreats in Spain or in general? Have you been asked to provide similar information before attending a retreat?

I understand why they might need medical history,but I'm a bit concerned about providing my passport number and etc

Any experiences or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Animistic]

Passport number is a little weird. Even home address is a little weird. I've never been asked any such questions or heard anyone ask. They may just want to know that you are who you say you are but not sure how they actually would verify that.

 

[blig-blug]

Is this still referring to this one? Privacy and security concerns regarding screening calls for an Ayahuasca retreat

If they will be providing accommodation and they are a legal operation, all that information is mandatory for them to not only collect, but to forward to the Guardia Civil (a branch of the police). And yes, including passport number. It's highly dystopian but, since late 2024, all establishments in the hospitality industry are mandated to do so: Everything you need to know about Spain's new "Big Brother" tourist registration rules

In fact you will be most likely required to provide a scan or picture of your passport, not just a number.

I had never considered that this awful law (which I oppose) would affect Aya retreats too. Personally, I would not want my info to be forwarded to the police so they keep a forever register that I have been there. But it's not any bad sign about the retreat, if you stay there they're legally required. In any case, it's a bad sign about Spanish society.

If I decided to do a retreat, I'd either look for an underground one here (not advised for someone that doesn't speak the language etc., the risk of it being a scam or cult is higher) or just look for one at a less privacy-hating country.

The retreat itself is most likely fine, and that they are complying with the law is a good sign, not a bad one. The law is the problem here.

(The above only applies if they're providing accommodation)