Lawyers Marbella

Criminal record in Spain. Lawyer for foreigners

Criminal record in Spain

When committing a crime, it is registered as a criminal record. This situation does not work in our favor, but even less if we are foreigners and we are in Spain. With the criminal record will be difficult to renew a visa, apart from that can affect us when finding a job: some jobs can not be done if we have a background, and in terms of public employment (oppositions) we could not submit.
In justified and more serious cases, we could declare our expulsion from Spain. The expulsion from the country can be decreed, if we have committed a crime sanctioned with imprisonment of more than one year.
If the penalty is of another type (for example, a fine) they can not expel us. In any case, if you have sent us an expulsion order but we believe there has been an error, it is important to contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible to appeal it.
Another option we have is, once a period has passed, cancel our criminal records. These terms, which increased with the reform of the Criminal Code, are the following:

  • 6 months for minor penalties.
  • 2 years for penalties not exceeding 12 months and those imposed for imprudent crimes.
  • 3 years for the remaining less serious sentences of less than 3 years.
  • 5 years for the remaining less serious penalties equal to or greater than 3 years.
  • 10 years for serious penalties.


It is essential not to have committed another new crime (recidivism), since then we could not ask to cancel the antecedents.

Experienced lawyer in Spain

In case you have doubts about this or other issues, we remind you that in our Office in Marbella we specialize in spanish law and we can help you. You only have to ask for a prior appointment, either by phone or through the internet, and our spanish lawyers will study your case in a personalized way.

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