Enforcing foreign judgments in Spain

If you’ve won a court case in another country but want to make sure it’s respected in Spain, you might be wondering where to begin. The legal process can feel daunting when it involves another language and unfamiliar justice system, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance from our experts, enforcing a foreign judgment in Spain can be clear, straightforward, and effective.

At Gascon Bernabeu, our team of English-speaking Spanish solicitors help clients from all over the world have their foreign court judgments recognised and enforced in Spain. Whether it involves recovering money, dealing with a business dispute, or making sure a property or family order is respected, we handle everything from start to finish. Our role is to make the Spanish system understandable and to protect your interests every step of the way.

If you’d like to talk about your situation, you can give our team a call on +44 (0)20 3137 1320, message us on WhatsApp, or use our online enquiry form. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain what you can expect.

How enforcement works

When you enforce a foreign judgment in Spain, you’re asking a Spanish court to recognise a decision made by a court in another country. Once it’s recognised, that judgment has the same legal effect as if a Spanish court had issued it. This permits you to take action here, such as recovering money, freezing assets, or enforcing compliance with the decision.

There are two main paths you can take, depending on where your original judgment was made. If your judgment comes from another European Union country, the process is usually quite simple. Thanks to EU law, most civil and commercial judgments from one EU Member State are automatically recognised in Spain. Once the necessary documents are submitted to a Spanish court, your judgment can be enforced almost immediately without a separate recognition procedure.

If your judgment comes from a non-EU country, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada, there’s an extra step called “exequatur.” This is the legal process where a Spanish court formally recognises the foreign judgment before it can be enforced. It may sound complicated, but with the right preparation, it’s a clear and well-defined procedure.

The exequatur process in plain terms

When you apply for recognition in Spain, the court checks that the foreign judgment meets certain legal requirements. These include confirming that the judgment is final and enforceable in its original country, that both parties were properly notified and given a fair chance to take part in the proceedings, and that the decision doesn’t go against Spanish public policy. The Spanish court also checks that there’s no existing Spanish decision that conflicts with it and that the foreign court had proper jurisdiction to hear the case in the first place.

Once the court confirms these points, it recognises the judgment through what’s known as an exequatur order. From that moment, your foreign judgment is treated the same as a Spanish one and can be enforced using the normal Spanish court system. This could include things like seizing assets, freezing bank accounts, or registering charges over property.

Our English-speaking solicitors handle the entire process for you, from collecting and translating documents to filing everything with the correct court and keeping you updated along the way. You don’t need to be in Spain or speak Spanish to enforce your rights here.

How long does it take, and what to expect

Every case is different, but once all documents are in order, most recognition and enforcement procedures take a few months. If the debtor contests the process, it can take a little longer, but we’ll always keep you informed and manage expectations realistically. Under Spanish law, you normally have up to five years from the date your foreign judgment became final to request enforcement. Acting sooner is always better, as it helps protect your position and speeds up recovery.

How can we help

At Gascon Bernabeu, we make sure you understand what’s happening and why at every stage. Our job is to make an unfamiliar legal process as simple as possible. We’ll review your foreign judgment, confirm whether it qualifies for recognition, prepare the documents, and deal directly with the Spanish courts on your behalf. Once recognised, we’ll take the necessary steps to enforce it so that you can recover what’s owed or make sure the judgment is respected.

We act for clients around the world and have offices in Alicante, Mallorca, and London. Our team is used to working remotely with international clients who may never have dealt with Spanish law before. We focus on clear explanations, regular updates, and practical results so you always know what to expect and can make informed decisions with confidence.

Speak to our English-speaking Spanish solicitors

If you have a court judgment from abroad that needs to be enforced in Spain, our team is here to help. We’ll explain exactly what needs to be done, handle the paperwork, and represent your interests every step of the way. You can reach us on +44 (0)20 3137 1320, email info@gbabogados.co.uk, send a message on WhatsApp, or use our online enquiry form.