Good to know · Legal
Free legal aid (asistencia jurídica gratuita)
Spanish law gives a right to free legal aid, including a free lawyer and exemption from court fees, to people who show they lack enough resources to go to court. The request is made through the bar association’s legal guidance service. This card describes the official process and does not say whether anyone qualifies.
- Why it matters
- The law names Spanish citizens, nationals of other EU states and foreigners who are in Spain, the last when they show they lack resources to litigate.
- When
- You are in, or may face, a court case (for example a dispute over a rental or a family matter) and cannot afford a lawyer and court costs.
- Official page
- Ley 1/1996, de asistencia jurídica gratuita (texto consolidado)
- Last checked
- 26 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 4 steps, what to bring (3 items), the office with addresses and hours, and 5 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
The application can be filed at the court of your home address when no case has started; the court passes it to the bar association.