When you need a criminal lawyer in Spain, for yourself or for a family member, one of the first worries is what it will cost. It is a fair question, and I will answer it with the same transparency I use when I set out my fees: no small print. If you are a foreign national, the same rules apply to you: legal aid exists, but it is only free if you meet the requirements, so it is worth understanding when you qualify and when you would be paying privately.
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Spain?
There is no single tariff, and you should be wary of anyone who quotes a closed price without knowing your case. The cost depends on the complexity of the matter, the seriousness of the offence and how many stages of the proceedings you need defending. What is reasonable is that you know the price in advance and that it matches the work actually required.
What does the price depend on?
Three things weigh most: the complexity of the case (a single hearing is not the same as a large, multi-defendant investigation), the stages the lawyer is involved in (investigation, trial, appeals, prison-related matters) and urgency. A good lawyer explains up front what each stage includes, so you pay only for what you actually need as the case moves forward.
Duty lawyer or private lawyer: what works for you?
A duty (court-appointed) lawyer is not automatically free. When you are detained you are assigned one regardless of your income, but it is only free if you are granted legal aid (justicia gratuita), which depends on meeting certain income and means requirements. If you do not meet them, you have to pay for it. Legal aid is open to foreign nationals on the same basis, but you still have to qualify. The duty rota does essential work and there are great professionals on it, but you cannot choose who is assigned to you, and not all of them specialise in criminal law or have handled cases like yours. With a private lawyer, you choose who defends you, which in a serious case usually means a specialist you can deal with directly.
Does English-speaking defence cost more?
No. What it changes is that you can deal with your lawyer directly, without an interpreter standing between you and the person defending you. In serious cases, being able to understand every decision in your own language is not a luxury: it is part of a proper defence. I work with international clients on the Costa del Sol for exactly that reason.
How I set out the fee
What I do is simple: I look at your case, explain what can be done and at which stages, and, depending on the information you have, I give you either a detailed quote at the first consultation or an indicative range that we confirm once I can access your file. If you want, tell me about your case and I will explain your options and costs with no commitment.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case has specific circumstances that can completely change the analysis. If you need concrete guidance on your situation, consult a criminal defence lawyer.
