Food handler regulations in Spain

A summary of the rules governing food hygiene training in Spain and why this certificate is valid.

Regulation (EC) 852/2004

The basic European regulation on the hygiene of foodstuffs. Annex II, chapter XII, requires food business operators to ensure that food handlers receive hygiene training appropriate to their work.

Royal Decree 109/2010

Repealed Royal Decree 202/2000, which regulated the old “food handler card” issued or authorised by the regional governments. Since then there has been no official card and no standard template, and the providers of this training do not need any approval. The responsibility for training staff and being able to prove it lies with the food business.

Regulation (EC) 178/2002

General principles of food law: safety, operator responsibility and traceability.

Royal Decree 1021/2022

Hygiene requirements for the production and sale of food in retail establishments.

Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 and Royal Decree 126/2015

Food information to consumers, including the 14 allergens that must be declared and the information for non-prepacked food (catering and loose sales).

Law 1/2025

Prevention of food loss and waste: prevention plan and hierarchy of priorities, with obligations for hospitality and retail.

Our certificate proves that its holder has completed training in food hygiene and safety adapted to these regulations. It is not a document issued by the public administration, because that document no longer exists: it is the proof of training that the employer must keep.