Alvaro
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 1,584 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Jaén
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4.97(146 reviews)
Building Permits & Planning Permission in Spain
Building, renovating or legalising a property in Spain usually means a licencia de obras or a declaración responsable from the town hall. English-speaking lawyers advise on the planning rules, prepare the application and deal with the authorities.
About Building Permits & Planning Permission in Spain
A building permit, building licence or planning permission in Spain is usually a licencia de obras from the town hall (ayuntamiento), sometimes replaced by a declaración responsable for smaller works. The same help covers legalising works built without a licence (retrospective planning permission) and the licencia de primera ocupación for finished buildings. English-speaking registered lawyers advise owners, buyers, builders and investors on urban planning rules (urbanismo). Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Urban Planning Law”.
Three common tasks
- Permission to build or renovate: a new house, an extension, a pool or a larger renovation.
- Legalising works already done: a house or an extension built without the right licence.
- Checking what is allowed: whether a plot or a house can be used or changed as planned, often before buying.
How it usually goes
Rules are set by the municipality and the region, so the first step is to check the local plan and the category the work falls into. For larger works a technical project by an architect is normally attached. First occupation allows the use of a finished building, as a licence or a declaración depending on the region. The lawyer prepares and files the papers and deals with the town hall, including objections and disputes.
Works without a licence
A town hall can stop works carried out without a licence and can order the situation to be restored, up to demolition, unless the works can be legalised. Legalisation is generally possible only where the works comply with current planning rules, and each case depends on its facts and on local rules.
Questions and answers
Do I need a permit to renovate or extend?
Often yes, either a licence or a declaración responsable. Which one depends on the works and on the municipality.
What is the difference between a licencia de obras and a declaración responsable?
A licence is approved before the work starts. A declaración responsable lets works start on the owner's statement, with a check afterwards.
What can be done about a house built without a licence?
A lawyer checks whether the works can be legalised under current rules and, if so, prepares the application.
How do I check that a house is legal before buying it?
By checking its licences and planning status before signing. See property purchase. Renting it out to tourists needs its own tourist rental licence.
17 lawyers who provide Building Permits & Planning Permission in Spain
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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José
Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain
- 786 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Alicante University
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4.99(97 reviews)
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Juan Ignacio
Lawyer · Vera, Spain
- 117 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Almeria
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4.93(21 reviews)
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Raffaele
Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain
- 1,553 cases handled
- 15+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
- Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
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4.90(38 reviews)
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María-José
Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain
- 691 cases handled
- 22+ years in practice
- Speaks: English
- Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
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4.98(53 reviews)
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Federico
Lawyer · Madrid, Spain
- 440 cases handled
- 25+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, French, Spanish
- Law, Complutense University Madrid (San Pablo)
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4.82(14 reviews)
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Angela
Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain
- 381 cases handled
- 27+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Business and Company Administration, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE)
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5.00(30 reviews)
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Miguel
Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain
- 254 cases handled
- 26+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Oviedo
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4.98(22 reviews)
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Sabela
Lawyer · Vigo, Spain
- 250 cases handled
- 17+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Santiago de Compostela
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4.96(29 reviews)
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Rafael
Lawyer · Seville, Spain
- 204 cases handled
- 31+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, University of Seville
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4.81(27 reviews)
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María
Lawyer · Estepona, Spain
- 184 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English
- Law, University Granada
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4.60(5 reviews)
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Daniel
Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain
- 137 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, Italian, English, Portuguese, French
- Law, UIB
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5.00(5 reviews)
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Maria
Lawyer · Girona, Spain
- 60 cases handled
- 23+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
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4.38(8 reviews)
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Jesus
Lawyer · Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- 16 cases handled
- 3+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
- Law Degree, University of Santiago de Compostela
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David
Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- 12 cases handled
- 10+ years in practice
- Speaks: French, Italian, English, Spanish
- Law, Universidad de Granada
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Pablo
Lawyer · Granada, Spain
- 11 cases handled
- 21+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English, French
- Degree in Law, Universidad de Granada
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Ramon
Lawyer · Almeria, Spain
- 13+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish
- Law, Almeria University
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Building Permits & Planning Permission
17 registered lawyers provide this service in Spain. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
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What our clients say about our service in Spain
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I used the lawyer to witness my Irish passport application, and the experience was excellent. She was professional and accommodating, her English was perfect, and she made the entire process straightforward and stress-free. I really appreciate all her help.
— Jake05 May 2026 -
The lawyer helped me twice to get a police clearance certificate, and also assisted my husband with the same. His English is perfect, and we were both very satisfied.
— Kim09 Jan 2026 -
The lawyer was very responsive, kept me up to date on progress and made everything run smoothly. I am very satisfied: the request was handled professionally and on time, and I could not have asked for more.
— Julie27 Jun 2025 -
At the first contact, the lawyer took the time to email me because my mobile number had the wrong country code attached, and he wrote again later to check whether I still needed support. Working with him on a time-sensitive request was an exemplary experience. He used the information I supplied and got me what I asked for remarkably efficiently. It was also very good value for money, though that did not matter to me, since the priority was obtaining the document. He appreciated how important my request was and updated me at every step, and I was very satisfied with the outcome. Should I need more support in future from my time living in Spain, I would not hesitate to recommend him or to contact him again.
— Michelle31 Jul 2023 -
He was very attentive and very efficient.
— Michael20 Jun 2023 -
He contacted me promptly and was extremely helpful; I am very satisfied.
— Daelibe17 Jan 2023 -
Extremely helpful and friendly!
— Holger22 Jan 2020 -
Meeting and appointing the lawyer was like a breath of fresh air. After using several other lawyers in Palma de Mallorca without any success whatsoever, she stepped into a complicated case in its seventh year and turned it around almost overnight. Within months the ball was rolling again and she finalised the case where others had simply given up. She always responded to my emails and phone calls and was an absolute pleasure to deal with. I will not be using anyone else from now on.
— Terry05 Jan 2019 -
Excellent value for money and a very simple process, and I was fully satisfied.
— Allison12 Dec 2025 -
I would definitely use this service again.
— Bamidele13 Jun 2023 -
I contacted the service for help with a legal problem and within just a few minutes the lawyer contacted me. He immediately told me what I needed to do and what would happen. He was very efficient, professional and non-judgemental at all times, and his English was perfect. Furthermore, he did everything possible to help me. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a hard-working, honest solicitor. He was a gentleman.
— Christina24 Apr 2023 -
The lawyer was pleasant and very helpful.
— Kim20 Mar 2023