Okupas: the phenomenon in Spain
For years Spain has seen repeated cases of squatting, where strangers take possession of properties and live in them for long periods – sometimes even changing the locks. The German Federal Foreign Office explicitly warns property owners about this risk. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid are most affected, but also tourist regions along the coast – including the Costa Blanca.
And it is by no means always people in social need: organised groups have discovered the "business" of squatting, illegally tapping electricity and water or renting out occupied rooms.
The legal situation: two terms, two procedures
What matters is which type of occupation has occurred:
- Allanamiento de morada (trespass): If an inhabited home is unlawfully entered, criminal law applies. Police can intervene immediately – especially within the first 48 hours – and remove the intruders.
- Usurpación (unlawful appropriation): For empty or seasonally used properties, the path almost always leads through court proceedings. This is exactly what affects many holiday homes on the Costa Blanca.
Since 3 April 2025, a legal reform allows so-called express evictions: courts can issue decisions within seven to eight days, and eviction should follow within roughly 15 days. In practice, however, experts warn of staff shortages and delays in the courts – those affected still need patience. Socially vulnerable persons are exempt from the rule.
Why holiday homes are particularly targeted
- Long vacancy periods: Weeks or months of absence give squatters time to settle in unnoticed.
- Quiet locations: Many urbanisations on the Costa Blanca are barely inhabited off-season – entering without witnesses is easy.
- Late discovery: Owners living abroad often only notice the occupation after months – by then rapid police action is no longer possible.
What to do immediately if your house has been squatted
- Call the police within 48 hours – only in this window is immediate action realistic.
- File a report and engage a lawyer.
- Secure evidence: photos, witness statements, documentation of the condition.
- Keep proof of ownership ready: the German Federal Foreign Office recommends storing the purchase contract outside the property so ownership can be proven in proceedings.
- Do not act on your own: changing locks or cutting utilities can be used against you legally.
Prevention: alarms and cameras alone are not enough
The German Federal Foreign Office recommends alarm systems and cameras as useful additions. But technology alone does not prevent squatting: it reports – yet it does not create presence. A house where someone visibly comes and goes on a regular basis is avoided by squatters from the outset, because the risk of discovery is too high.
Why regular property care is the best protection
A professional property-care service on the Costa Blanca closes exactly the gap that okupas are looking for:
- Visible presence: emptied mailboxes, moved shutters, tended garden and pool – the house looks lived-in.
- Early detection: regular inspections ensure that unauthorised entry is noticed within the critical 48-hour window – when police can still act without lengthy proceedings.
- Documentation: every visit is recorded with date and photos – valuable evidence for police, courts and insurers.
- Immediate response: in case of alarm or suspicion, your caretaker coordinates police, lawyers and tradespeople on site – even when you are a thousand kilometres away.
Even the basic package from €39 per month creates exactly this visible presence and ensures your home never appears "abandoned" for weeks – the decisive factor that makes your property unattractive to squatters.
Related: Leerstand & Kontrollen, Jávea, Moraira, Benissa.