An English-speaking lawyer in Mallorca gives international clients more than a translation service: it means having Spanish law explained in your own language, with the consequences of each option set out before you sign. Raso Investments advises foreign buyers, investors and families on property, tax, residence and estate matters on the island and across Spain. This page explains how legal work is organised in Spain, which professional does what, and how to check the lawyer you instruct.
What an English-speaking lawyer in Mallorca can do for you
Most international clients come to us with one of a handful of matters, and they often overlap:
- Buying or selling property: title and planning checks, contracts, completion before the notary and the taxes that follow. See our page on property lawyers in Spain.
- Residence: choosing between the non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa or other routes now that the investor visa has gone.
- Tax: non-resident tax, the move to Spanish tax residence, wealth tax and the special regime for inbound workers.
- Wills and inheritance: choosing the law that governs your estate and handling an estate with assets in Spain, as explained in Spanish wills and probate for foreigners.
- Companies and contracts: setting up or acquiring a Spanish company, shareholder agreements and commercial contracts.
- Disputes: lost deposits, hidden defects, building works, tenants and claims before the Spanish courts.
The value lies in seeing these areas together. A purchase decision affects your tax return, your future inheritance and sometimes your residence application, and it is cheaper to plan for that at the start.
Solicitors in Spain: how the legal professions differ
People searching for solicitors in Spain often expect the British split between solicitors and barristers. Spain does not have it. The abogado advises, drafts, negotiates and also argues cases in court. Other professionals play distinct roles:
- Procurador: the court representative who files documents and receives notifications in most court proceedings, working alongside the lawyer.
- Notario: a public official who authorises deeds, checks the identity and capacity of the parties and the legality of the document. The notary is impartial and does not act for the buyer or the seller.
- Registrador: the Land Registrar, who decides whether a deed can be registered and keeps the record of ownership and charges.
- Gestor: an administrative agent who handles filings and paperwork. A gestor is not a lawyer and cannot give legal opinions or appear in court for you.
Estate agents are paid for the sale to happen, so they cannot give you independent legal advice. Your own lawyer is the only professional in the transaction whose duty is to protect your position alone.
Language, documents and the courts
Spanish and Catalan are the official languages in the Balearic Islands. Deeds, court documents and official forms are drafted in one of them, and documents in other languages usually need a sworn translation before an authority will accept them. When you sign before a notary without understanding Spanish, the notary must be satisfied that you understand what you sign, which in practice means an interpreter, a bilingual deed or a lawyer explaining it to you.
An English-speaking lawyer bridges that gap. We explain drafts and official letters in English, tell you what each clause means for you and keep a written record of the advice. Where documents must be translated officially, we coordinate the sworn translation so that the authority receives exactly what it needs.
How to check a lawyer in Spain
There are many lawyers in Spain who work with foreign clients. A few simple checks will tell you whether the person you are talking to is entitled to practise and is properly protected:
- Bar registration. Every practising lawyer must belong to a Spanish bar association. In Mallorca it is the Bar Association of the Balearic Islands. Ask for the bar number and check it in the public register.
- Professional indemnity insurance. Practising lawyers must hold liability insurance. You can ask for confirmation.
- A written scope of work. Before work starts, agree in writing what is included, what is excluded and how the fees are calculated.
- Conflicts of interest. Your lawyer should not also act for the seller, the developer or the agent in the same transaction.
Be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed outcome or a guaranteed timetable from a public authority. No lawyer controls what a consulate, a town hall or a court will decide.
How we work with international clients
Many of our clients live outside Spain for most of the year, so we organise matters to be handled at a distance. Instructions, drafts and advice are exchanged in writing. Where you cannot be present to sign, a power of attorney allows the matter to move forward without travelling. We coordinate with notaries, tax advisers, surveyors and your own advisers at home, so that you deal with one point of contact for the Spanish side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Spanish lawyer if my notary is involved?
Yes, in most transactions. The notary checks the legality of the deed and the identity of the parties, but does not investigate the property for you, negotiate the contract or advise you on tax and planning risks.
Can my lawyer at home handle my Spanish matter?
A lawyer from another country can advise on your home law and coordinate with us, but Spanish law, Spanish procedures and appearances before Spanish courts require a lawyer registered in Spain.
Do you only work in Mallorca?
Our focus is Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, where most of our clients own property. Many matters, such as tax, wills and residence, follow national rules and can be handled wherever the asset or the authority is located in Spain.
Will I receive documents in English?
Our advice and correspondence are in English. Official documents remain in Spanish or Catalan, and we explain them to you or arrange a sworn translation when one is required.
Next steps
If you are looking for an English-speaking lawyer in Mallorca, write to info@raso.law. Describe the matter, the property or assets involved, your country of residence and any deadline you are facing. Each enquiry is reviewed individually and answered in writing.