Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Spain

Lawyers for owners who need a tenant or squatters out of a property in Spain, explaining the court routes for eviction and how the two cases differ.
lawyers in Spain
26
cases in this service
186
clients' rating in Spain
4.95 ★

About Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Spain

Getting a tenant or an unwanted occupier out of a property in Spain goes through the courts. This page covers evicting a tenant, desahucio for unpaid rent, a tenant not paying rent, squatters (okupas) and illegal occupation (ocupación ilegal). It is for owners and landlords, including those living abroad. English-speaking registered lawyers can explain the route and act in court. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Eviction Services”.

Tenants and squatters are different cases

A tenant has a lease and a right to stay until a court says otherwise, so a claim usually follows a formal demand for the unpaid rent or a breach of the contract. People who entered a home with no right at all are treated differently, and quicker court routes can exist for them. Changing the locks or cutting off utilities on one's own can expose the owner to liability.

How it usually goes

  • The situation and documents are reviewed: lease, rent records, ownership papers.
  • A formal notice or an attempt to settle may come first.
  • The claim is filed in court, with a lawyer and a procurador.
  • If the occupier objects there is a hearing, and the court sets a date for leaving.

Unpaid rent can often be claimed in the same case. Owners abroad can give a power of attorney. Related pages: tenancy disputes, renting out your property and debt collection.

Questions and answers

Can I change the locks myself?

Generally no. Removing people from a home is a matter for the courts, and self-help can create problems for the owner.

How is evicting squatters different from evicting a tenant?

A tenant is claimed against under the rental contract. Squatters have no contract, so other court procedures apply.

Is there a fast eviction?

Some routes are quicker, but timing depends on the court and the facts. Occupants in a vulnerable situation can also affect timing.

What if there is no written lease?

A rental can exist without a written contract, for example where rent has been paid and accepted.

Do I have to be in Spain?

No. A lawyer can represent an owner abroad under a power of attorney.

26 lawyers who provide Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Spain

Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.

  • Alvaro, lawyer in Fuengirola

    Alvaro

    Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain

    • 1,584 cases handled · 35 in this service
    • 14+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Jaén
    • 4.97(146 reviews)
    Contact Alvaro
  • José, lawyer in Alicante City

    José

    Lawyer · Alicante City, Spain

    • 786 cases handled · 26 in this service
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Alicante University
    • 4.99(97 reviews)
    Contact José
  • Inma, lawyer in Murcia City

    Inma

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 910 cases handled · 20 in this service
    • 11+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law
    • 4.95(59 reviews)
    Contact Inma
  • Raffaele, lawyer in Barcelona

    Raffaele

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 1,553 cases handled · 13 in this service
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish
    • Spanish Law; Italian Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Università degli Studi di Milano
    • 4.90(38 reviews)
    Contact Raffaele
  • María-José, lawyer in Murcia City

    María-José

    Lawyer · Murcia City, Spain

    • 691 cases handled · 12 in this service
    • 22+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English
    • Law, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera - Campus Elche
    • 4.98(53 reviews)
    Contact María-José
  • Rosa, lawyer in Mallorca

    Rosa

    Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain

    • 1,612 cases handled · 11 in this service
    • 17+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of the Balearic Islands
    • 4.98(162 reviews)
    Contact Rosa
  • Oscar, lawyer in Barcelona

    Oscar

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 677 cases handled · 10 in this service
    • 20+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Barcelona
    • 4.97(57 reviews)
    Contact Oscar
  • Angela, lawyer in Fuengirola

    Angela

    Lawyer · Fuengirola, Spain

    • 381 cases handled · 10 in this service
    • 27+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Business and Company Administration, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE)
    • 5.00(30 reviews)
    Contact Angela
  • Esther, lawyer in Maspalomas

    Esther

    Lawyer · Maspalomas, Spain

    • 229 cases handled · 6 in this service
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, German
    • Law, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
    • 4.99(17 reviews)
    Contact Esther
  • Inma, lawyer in Valencia

    Inma

    Lawyer · Valencia, Spain

    • 716 cases handled · 5 in this service
    • 18+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Valencia
    • 4.99(56 reviews)
    Contact Inma
  • Domingo, lawyer in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

    Domingo

    Lawyer · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    • 372 cases handled · 5 in this service
    • 19+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Salamanca
    • 4.94(28 reviews)
    Contact Domingo
  • Rafael, lawyer in Seville

    Rafael

    Lawyer · Seville, Spain

    • 204 cases handled · 4 in this service
    • 31+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Seville
    • 4.81(27 reviews)
    Contact Rafael
  • Daniel, lawyer in Mallorca

    Daniel

    Lawyer · Mallorca, Spain

    • 137 cases handled · 4 in this service
    • 11+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, Italian, English, Portuguese, French
    • Law, UIB
    • 5.00(5 reviews)
    Contact Daniel
  • Juan Ignacio, lawyer in Vera

    Juan Ignacio

    Lawyer · Vera, Spain

    • 117 cases handled · 4 in this service
    • 15+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Almeria
    • 4.93(21 reviews)
    Contact Juan Ignacio
  • Maria, lawyer in Girona

    Maria

    Lawyer · Girona, Spain

    • 60 cases handled · 4 in this service
    • 23+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
    • 4.38(8 reviews)
    Contact Maria
  • Francisca, lawyer in Gandia

    Francisca

    Lawyer · Gandia, Spain

    • 469 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 21+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • University of Valencia
    • 4.83(35 reviews)
    Contact Francisca
  • Miguel, lawyer in Oviedo

    Miguel

    Lawyer · Oviedo, Spain

    • 254 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 26+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Oviedo
    • 4.98(22 reviews)
    Contact Miguel
  • Juan, lawyer in Madrid

    Juan

    Lawyer · Madrid, Spain

    • 164 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • 10+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Degree in Law, Deusto University (Bilbao, Basque Country)
    • 4.86(7 reviews)
    Contact Juan
  • Francisco, lawyer in Cadiz

    Francisco

    Lawyer · Cadiz, Spain

    • 136 cases handled · 3 in this service
    • Speaks: English
    • 4.63(5 reviews)
    Contact Francisco
  • María Luz, lawyer in Marbella

    María Luz

    Lawyer · Marbella, Spain

    • 24 cases handled · 2 in this service
    • 3+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law Degree, University of Granada
    • 5.00(2 reviews)
    Contact María Luz
  • Sabela, lawyer in Vigo

    Sabela

    Lawyer · Vigo, Spain

    • 250 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 17+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Santiago de Compostela
    • 4.96(29 reviews)
    Contact Sabela
  • María, lawyer in Estepona

    María

    Lawyer · Estepona, Spain

    • 184 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 8+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, English
    • Law, University Granada
    • 4.60(5 reviews)
    Contact María
  • Jesus, lawyer in Santiago de Compostela

    Jesus

    Lawyer · Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    • 16 cases handled · 1 in this service
    • 3+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
    • Law Degree, University of Santiago de Compostela
    Contact Jesus
  • Albert, lawyer in Barcelona

    Albert

    Lawyer · Barcelona, Spain

    • 294 cases handled
    • 28+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University School of Law
    • 4.95(4 reviews)
    Contact Albert
  • Pablo, lawyer in Granada

    Pablo

    Lawyer · Granada, Spain

    • 11 cases handled
    • 21+ years in practice
    • Speaks: Spanish, English, French
    • Degree in Law, Universidad de Granada
    Contact Pablo
  • Ramon, lawyer in Almeria

    Ramon

    Lawyer · Almeria, Spain

    • 13+ years in practice
    • Speaks: English, Spanish
    • Law, Almeria University
    Contact Ramon
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer

Talk to a lawyer about Tenant & Squatter Eviction

26 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.

See the lawyers ↓

Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.

Other property law services in Spain

All property law services in Spain

What our clients say about our service in Spain

  • I cannot thank this lawyer enough and am so grateful I found her. She answered my emails extremely quickly and dealt sympathetically with all my concerns in a highly stressful situation. I feel she was excellent value for money, and she handled a complex issue in a calm and professional way that reassured me. When something was unclear she took the time to explain it, patiently and clearly, and recommended the most appropriate course of action. I would not hesitate to recommend her.
    — Alex
    21 Apr 2023
  • From our very first meeting the lawyer understood the situation and offered an excellent strategy going forward, which resulted in the best possible outcome. Highly recommended!
    — Spencer
    27 Jun 2022
  • The lawyer helped me every step of the way, from a frightening set of circumstances to taking the reins and helping me considerably. I would not hesitate to ask for her help again.
    — Susie
    27 Jun 2022
  • A highly professional and pragmatic response. Several outcomes were possible in our case, and dealing with someone who knew the relevant law in depth and also advised us with the wider picture in mind made a refreshing change. Communication was excellent, and I believe the service was good value for money. For all our future legal matters we will certainly keep asking her to represent us and act on our behalf.
    — Marcus
    05 Jul 2021
  • The replies were kind and fast and the advice was good. If I ever need legal advice again, I will certainly contact him. I am pleased with every contact I have had, and very satisfied overall.
    — Susanne
    25 Mar 2021
  • The lawyer was extremely helpful, and no request was too much trouble. He is very friendly as well, and his manner puts you at ease at once. I would use him again, and my sister is also a client of his. Anyone looking for a lawyer fluent in English and Spanish (and Italian) who handles legal matters professionally and without delay should get in touch with him, and I strongly recommend doing so.
    — Suzanne
    28 Oct 2020
  • Very relaxed, not uptight, and all very good.
    — Raymond
    18 Sep 2020
  • Confident, articulate, concise and polite. I have used eleven lawyers so far, and all of them pale beside him. One of my cases lasted 12 years, so I think I know a little about this gloomy trade. The best rise to the surface. I am happy, thank you.
    — Wayne
    01 Sep 2020
  • The lawyer is a true professional: super efficient and completely fluent in English. He helped me with a difficult legal matter, took all the stress out of the situation and provided a pragmatic path to resolution, which is precisely what you need from a lawyer. The service I received was first class, and I cannot think of any area that could have been improved.
    — Tony
    05 Aug 2020
  • The lawyer gave an excellent service throughout. In our first phone consultation she set out our legal position and options clearly. She then handled the resolution of our property dispute efficiently and updated us regularly by e-mail. We are very satisfied with the result and would definitely recommend her to friends.
    — jake
    01 Jun 2020
  • The lawyer was extremely helpful: she responded promptly and kept us updated on our case every day. She has great negotiation skills, which led to success in our case, and great value for money for such a complicated issue. She also made the Spanish legislation clear to us, which was helpful, and her English was perfect. Approachable and highly professional. We cannot express enough our gratitude and will definitely recommend her. Great service.
    — Ilona
    29 May 2020
  • She was always pleasant, and her explanations were clear, in perfect English. She gave me options with their pros and cons and was flexible about when we could talk. She spent plenty of time pursuing the opposing party and making both sides aware of the situation. I am completely satisfied with the service I received. Many thanks.
    — Clifton
    24 Apr 2023