The Canary Islands — including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote — are popular with foreign investors, expats, and remote workers. But when property deals go wrong, debts remain unpaid, or partnerships break down, you may need legal action. This guide explains how litigation in the Canary Islands works for foreigners, even if you’re not physically in Spain.
⚖️ 1. Common Legal Conflicts in the Canary Islands
Foreign individuals and businesses may face:
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🏠 Disputes over real estate sales, arras contracts, or rentals
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💼 Business conflicts between partners or investors
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🧾 Unpaid service invoices
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📄 Breach of construction or reservation agreements
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👪 Inheritance disputes involving local property
📌 These cases are common in hotspots like Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife), Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), Costa Teguise (Lanzarote), and Corralejo (Fuerteventura).
🏛️ 2. Which Courts Handle These Cases?
Each island has its own set of local courts:
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Juzgados de Primera Instancia – handles civil matters like property, inheritance, and private contracts
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Juzgados de lo Mercantil – for business and commercial disputes
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Administrative courts – for public authority conflicts
📍 Proceedings are in Spanish and typically require a local lawyer.
🌍 3. Can Foreigners Sue Without Living in the Islands?
Yes — non-residents can litigate remotely with a local lawyer:
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✍️ Sign a Power of Attorney (POA) from abroad
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📩 Submit digital evidence and contracts
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📋 Your lawyer files the claim and represents you in court
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💼 You receive updates and can attend remotely (if needed)
✅ Most expats, investors, and heirs litigate without flying to Spain.
📑 4. Documents You’ll Need
To begin a case:
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📄 Signed contracts or invoices
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💬 Email chains or WhatsApp messages
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💸 Proof of payments or transfers
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🪪 Passport, NIE (if applicable)
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✍️ Power of Attorney
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📜 Sworn translations if documents are not in Spanish
📌 Timely and complete documentation improves your chances of success.
👨💼 How Borderless Lawyers Can Help
We assist with:
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⚖️ Trusted litigation lawyers in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote
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🌍 Multilingual teams (English, French, Dutch, German)
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✍️ Remote POA and notarization setup
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📁 Case filing and court representation
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🧾 Support in property, inheritance, and commercial litigation
📩 Conclusion & CTA
Don’t let legal conflicts in the Canary Islands remain unresolved. With the right legal help, you can assert your rights from anywhere in the world — and protect your property or business interests.
👉 Need legal help in the Canary Islands?
Contact Borderless Lawyers today — we’ll connect you with a litigation expert who serves foreign clients across the islands.