{"id":8783,"date":"2025-09-17T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/costablanca-magazin.com\/?p=8783"},"modified":"2026-07-07T09:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T07:53:08","slug":"squatters-on-the-costa-blanca-new-laws-old-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/costablanca-magazin.com\/en\/lokales\/infos\/okupas-an-der-costa-blanca-neue-gesetze-alte-probleme\/","title":{"rendered":"Okupas on the Costa Blanca - New laws, old problems"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Okupas on the Costa Blanca - New laws, old problems<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Squatting remains Spain's coastal problem. Despite new anti-Okupa laws, owners continue to struggle with lengthy procedures and legal hurdles.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It remains an ongoing issue on Spain's coasts: the occupation of houses by so-called okupas. It is a nightmare for owners - especially when they return weeks later and suddenly find strangers in their own home. Anyone affected must not only act quickly, but also strategically. This is because Spanish law makes a precise distinction - and does not make it easy for those affected.<\/p>

Two legal routes - two speeds<\/strong>
The law recognises two scenarios:
- Allanamiento de morada - i.e. unlawful entry into an inhabited property. Criminal law applies here. The police can intervene immediately within the first 48 hours.<\/p>

- Usurpaci\u00f3n - the occupation of a vacant or only temporarily used dwelling. In this case, civil law applies. Proceedings often take months before a bailiff can order the eviction.<\/p>

Owners of holiday or investment properties in particular therefore experience lengthy processes - with an uncertain outcome.<\/p>

First steps after an occupation<\/strong>
The first 48 hours are crucial. Owners should call the police immediately, file a complaint and secure evidence - photos, videos, witness statements. After that, the route is almost always via a lawyer and legal eviction proceedings (desahucio), which, if successful, result in a so-called lanzamiento: Bailiffs, police and locksmiths enforce the eviction.<\/p>

New \u201eLey antiokupas\u201c - hope with restrictions<\/strong>
Ley Org\u00e1nica 1\/2025 has been in force since April 2025 and is intended to speed up proceedings. The aim: a decision within 15 days, even in the case of usurpaci\u00f3n. However, legal experts warn that overloaded courts and appeals could easily exceed the deadlines. The reality is likely to take much longer.<\/p>

Why it remains so complicated<\/strong>
The Spanish constitution also protects unlawfully evicted residents from arbitrary eviction. Unauthorised actions - such as changing locks or turning off the water and electricity - are not permitted and may even be punishable by law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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In addition, many squatters gain access to social benefits by registering with the town hall (empadronamiento) - another factor that delays proceedings.<\/p>

Prevention as the best weapon<\/strong>
Alarm systems, video surveillance, neighbourhood networks or regular checks: The most effective prevention is to protect your property. Because once a flat is occupied, a legal marathon begins.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a0\n\nImportant steps in staffing<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u25b6 0-48 hours
- Inform the police (Polic\u00eda Nacional \/ Guardia Civil) immediately.
- In the case of allanamiento de morada, officials can evacuate directly.
- In the case of usurpaci\u00f3n, a court order is usually also required within this period.<\/p>

\u25b6 After 48 hours
- Only possible via eviction action (desahucio).
- Application via a lawyer, judge decides.<\/p>

\u25b6 Documents for the advert:
- Proof of ownership (Escritura or extract from the land register).
- ID or passport of the owner.
- Photos, videos, witness statements, possibly contracts for electricity\/water.<\/p>

\u25b6 Court deadlines:
- New law provides for a fast-track decision within 15 days.
- In practice, often longer - depending on the court load.<\/p>

Important note: Unauthorised removal or parking of supplies is prohibited and may be punishable by law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Okupas an der Costa Blanca – Neue Gesetze, alte Probleme Hausbesetzungen bleiben Spaniens K\u00fcstenproblem. Trotz neuer Anti-Okupa-Gesetze k\u00e4mpfen Eigent\u00fcmer weiter mit langen Verfahren und rechtlichen H\u00fcrden. An Spaniens K\u00fcsten bleibt es ein Dauerthema: die Besetzung von H\u00e4usern durch sogenannte Okupas. F\u00fcr Eigent\u00fcmer ist es ein Albtraum \u2013 besonders, wenn sie nach Wochen zur\u00fcckkehren und pl\u00f6tzlich […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8789,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,15],"tags":[1788,1760,1793],"class_list":["post-8783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infos","category-leben-in-spanien","tag-heim-haus-costa-blanca","tag-immobilienrecht-spanien","tag-recht-spanien"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t