by Adam Hejducki 
In Spain, the issue of “squatting” (Spanish: “okupas”) has become a serious challenge for property owners. These individuals illegally occupy vacant apartments or houses, often breaking in. Until recently, legal procedures made it difficult to quickly and effectively remove such squatters, resulting in lengthy legal processes and uncertainty for property owners.
In response to this issue, the Spanish government introduced a legal reform aimed at speeding up eviction procedures and combating illegal occupations more effectively. The new regulations bring significant changes to the process of evicting squatters:
- Faster eviction process: Cases related to illegal occupation of properties will be handled in an expedited manner, with a maximum duration of 15 days from the moment the case is reported to the court.
- Immediate execution of eviction: Once the court rules in favor of the property owner, the eviction will be carried out without unnecessary delay, allowing the owner to quickly regain possession of their property.
- Shorter time until the first hearing: After an individual is caught illegally occupying a property, a judge must schedule a hearing within 72 hours, significantly reducing the time taken for the legal process.
- Trial and verdict within a few days: The cases will be resolved within a maximum of 15 days from the filing, with the verdict being issued within three days after the hearing.
In practice, this means property owners can expect a much faster recovery of their properties that have been occupied by illegal squatters. The new regulations aim to balance the rights of property owners with the need to protect vulnerable groups in society, such as families with children. In cases where children are residing in the occupied property, social services will assess the situation before proceeding with the eviction, which may slightly prolong the process but ensures additional protection for minors.
These changes aim to enhance the sense of security for property owners and speed up the eviction process, which will have a positive impact on the real estate market in Spain. Property owners will be able to more effectively protect their property from illegal occupation, which could also discourage such practices.
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