Can foreigners legally get married in Spain?
Yes, but a civil wedding normally needs at least one of you to be a Spanish national or legally resident in Spain, registered on the padrón of the town where you marry. Couples who live abroad usually marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Spain, or choose a Catholic wedding (if one of you is a baptised Catholic) or a civil wedding in Gibraltar.
Can two British citizens who live in the UK legally marry in Spain?
Generally not as a civil wedding. UK government guidance says you or your partner must live in Spain or be a Spanish national to marry in Spain. Most British couples marry legally at a UK register office and hold the ceremony they care about in Spain. The alternatives are a Catholic wedding, if one of you is baptised Catholic, or a civil wedding in Gibraltar, an hour from Marbella.
How long do you need to live in Spain to get married there?
It depends on the registry. Some only ask that one of you is currently registered on the padrón (the town hall census) where you marry; others expect around two years of legal residence before they will open a civil marriage file. Ask the Civil Registry for the town you have in mind before you book a venue or date.
Do we need to be resident in Spain to have our wedding there?
Not for a symbolic ceremony. Residency only matters if the ceremony in Spain has to be the legal marriage. You can hold a symbolic wedding at any villa, finca, hotel, beach club or estate with no Spanish paperwork, and the legal part is done at home before or after you travel.
What is the minimum age to get married in Spain?
Both of you must be 18 or over. The only exception is a 16 or 17-year-old who has been legally emancipated, for example by a court; marriage below 16 is not permitted. In practice, almost every wedding we plan involves two adults, and venues and celebrants work on that basis.
What documents do we need for a legal civil wedding in Spain?
Expect passports or national ID, full birth certificates, proof that you are free to marry, a padrón certificate issued within the last three months, and your NIE (foreigner identity number) if you are resident. If either of you has been married before, add the divorce decree or the death certificate of your late spouse with the previous marriage certificate. The registry will tell you which extra documents it needs.
Do our documents need an apostille and a translation?
Usually, yes. Documents issued outside Spain normally need an apostille (in the UK, from the FCDO legalisation office) and an official sworn translation into Spanish by a traductor jurado. Several documents, such as birth certificates and certificates of civil status, must also be recently issued, typically within three to six months, so time your requests carefully.
What is a certificate of no impediment, and do British citizens need one?
It is a certificate confirming you are free to marry. For a wedding in Spain, the UK issues a certificate of no impediment (CNI) and a marital status certificate (MSC); your registry will say which it wants. If you live in the UK you get a CNI from your register office, then exchange it online for a local CNI issued in Spain, because Spanish authorities only accept one issued there. Irish citizens apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs for a Certificate of Freedom to Marry.
How long does the legal process take in Spain?
Allow four to six months for a civil wedding and six to nine months for a Catholic wedding. The civil process starts with an appointment at the Civil Registry or town hall to open the marriage file (expediente matrimonial), followed by document checks and an interview. Some registries also publish notice of the intended marriage for around 15 days so objections can be raised. Once approved, you book the ceremony.
How many witnesses do we need for a wedding in Spain?
Two witnesses aged 18 or over, who attend the ceremony with ID. Some registries also ask for a witness when you open the marriage file. The official who marries you then records the marriage in the Civil Register and you receive a marriage certificate.
Can we have a legally recognised Catholic wedding in Spain?
Yes, if at least one of you is a baptised Catholic. Contact the parish where you want to marry at least six months ahead, and your home parish to start the marriage file. Expect to provide recent baptism and confirmation certificates and to complete a marriage preparation course. The file passes between dioceses, and the marriage is then entered on the Civil Registry so it has civil effect.
Are Protestant, Jewish and Muslim weddings recognised in Spain?
Yes. Spain gives civil effect to ceremonies of faiths with formal agreements with the state, including Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities, and some other established faiths. You first obtain a certificate of capacity to marry from the Civil Registry; the religious ceremony must then take place within six months, conducted by a minister authorised to do so, and is registered afterwards.
Can same-sex couples get married in Spain?
Yes. Spain legalised same-sex marriage in 2005, with exactly the same rules and residency requirements as any other couple. Symbolic ceremonies are open to every couple, and Gibraltar also allows same-sex marriage.
Is a symbolic wedding ceremony in Spain legally binding?
No, and that is what makes it so flexible. A symbolic ceremony has no legal effect, so there is no residency rule, registry timetable or translated paperwork. You marry legally at home, usually a short register-office appointment with two witnesses, and the ceremony in Spain can include everything else: your entrance, readings, vows, rings and a certificate signing. Guests will only know it is symbolic if you tell them.
Can we get legally married in Gibraltar instead?
Yes. Gibraltar allows non-residents to marry by Special Licence, with no residency period. You must stay in Gibraltar for at least one night immediately before or after the ceremony and provide the required documents in advance. Ceremonies can be held at the registry or approved venues, and many couples marry there on a weekday before a celebration in Spain.
Is a marriage in Spain recognised in the UK and Ireland?
Yes, a marriage carried out correctly under Spanish law is generally recognised in both. It cannot be registered with the UK authorities, so keep your Spanish marriage certificate safe and order an apostilled, translated copy for future use, for example for a name change.
How far ahead should we plan a wedding in Spain?
Ideally 12 to 18 months for a summer Saturday at a popular venue. Six to nine months is often enough for a symbolic ceremony or an off-season date, but start any legal paperwork at least six months ahead, as registries, consulates and parishes can be slow. Elopements can come together in a few weeks.
Is getting married in Spain cheaper than in the UK?
It can be, particularly for smaller weddings and outside July and August. Our couples typically spend €15,000 to €30,000 for 40 to 60 guests and €25,000 to €45,000 for 80 to 100, all in. Budget separately for travel, accommodation, certificates, apostilles, sworn translations and supplier deposits.
