Home / Practice areas / Environmental Law
Practice areaSpain's coastline and land-use rules are stricter than most people expect. Straight answers before you build, buy, or run into a problem, in plain English.
Whether you are planning a project, buying near the coast, or already dealing with a compliance problem.
The Ley de Costas protects Spain's public coastal domain and restricts building near the shoreline. Some existing properties sit within protected zones under old rules and carry restrictions on renovation, extension, or in rare cases demolition. Checking this before buying is essential, and we do it as part of due diligence.
It happens, but usually only after a formal process involving the coastal authority and, if contested, the courts. If you have received a demolition order or notice, do not ignore it. There are often grounds to challenge it or negotiate an alternative, but the deadlines to respond are strict.
It depends on the activity and its potential impact. Certain businesses, particularly in energy, industry, tourism infrastructure, or anything near protected land, need specific environmental licences before they can legally operate. We check what applies to your specific case before you commit to a location or project.
Before signing anything, check the land's urban classification (whether it is buildable), any coastal or environmental restrictions, and whether the town hall's local plan allows what you intend to build. Buying land without this check is one of the most common and expensive mistakes foreign buyers make in Spain.
Fines vary widely depending on the breach and its severity, and can come with an order to restore the site to its original condition. We review the notice, check whether the process was followed correctly, and advise whether to pay, appeal, or negotiate.