OKUPAS IN SPAIN
What you must know as a foreign owner in 2026.
by Frank Bogers
Okupas remain a key topic for foreign homeowners in Spain. Expats with a holiday home on the Costa del Sol often worry about the risk. They want to know how to secure their property. This blog explains the current situation. It covers the new rules and how to protect your home.
Okupas are people who enter a home and stay without permission. This problem causes anxiety. The risk varies by region. The risk on the Costa del Sol is lower than in other parts of Spain.
You must understand the legal difference between an empty building and your furnished holiday home. Your second home involves breaking and entering. It is not squatting. This gives the police more power to act immediately. This differs from empty bank properties. Homes left empty for a long time without security are easier targets. Houses with alarms and cameras are almost never occupied.
Anti-okupa rules are stricter in 2025. Police intervene faster with evidence of a break-in. The first 48 hours are critical. Quick reporting leads to the immediate removal of intruders. You must receive alarm alerts instantly. You must be able to show ownership documents right away.
Preparation is essential. Follow these steps to secure your home.
- Ensure your house has an alarm system with photo or video alerts.
- Keep ownership proofs digital.
- Arrange a local contact person to act for you when you are not in Spain.
- Install cameras at entrances.
- Use strong locks.
Online information is often incomplete. Not every house on the Costa del Sol is at risk. Police react faster under the new law. Direct evidence from an alarm system speeds up the process. A secured house is not an attractive target.
Check your home quickly. Verify that your alarm sends real-time alerts. Check that all entrances are secure. Ensure your locks are modern. Confirm you have local support available. These steps reduce the risk. You keep full control of your house in Spain.
Is your home safe against Okupas? Take the test today and find out!